9. Dee
9
DEE
I've been to many places and experienced many things in my life—I am a wanderer after all–but I've never been to a bar that looks like a giant mushroom, one that also moonlights as an axe-throwing joint.
“You think you've seen everythin',” I whisper in awe as Tobes and I walk through the heavy wooden doors leading inside.
“Bet you've never been inside a mushroom, Skippy?” My husband asks, his bearded lips twitching.
Since the day Ruthie promised him he could be Santa, Toby decided to go full-method. This means he's not only jolly–he's hairy . As much as I love the scruffier look on my man, I'm thankful he has promised me he'll trim it on December 26. His unruly unkemptness is slowly growing on me. Then again, I don't think there's a thing that man could do that would ever not do it for me. The joy of the mountain's Call.
“Can't say I have. I've been in an underground house in the Outback. That was cool. Never a mushroom when it's below zero outside though.”
George offers to put in a dinner order for everyone and with help from a few of the locals hanging out at the bar, he soon returns with trays and trays of drinks—ranging from pitchers of what looks like beer, to a bottle of gin for the Sallys and soft drinks and juices for the rest of us.
“This here is Harry, Larry, Cary, and Barry,” he says, introducing us to his friends. I look across the table at the women from the ranch with wide eyes as I try not to giggle out loud. Imagine if their wives all have matching names too.
“Is there a Gary too?” My helpful husband asks.
“He's behind the bar,” George answers, jerking his head in Gary's direction. I drop my gaze at the table, my shoulders shaking with silent laughter. I don't dare look up though because that's when I know I'll truly lose it.
“We're all on board to help y'all with whatever you need. Especially if it involves fellin' a tree. Already got the perfect one in mind right at the back of my land,” Harry tells us.
That gets Austin's attention. “How big?” He's the carpenter of the family and the most experienced when it comes to anything wood-related. If there's a tree to be cut down and transported, he's going to be the first to put his hand up, I bet.
“I'd say at least twelve feet, maybe more. It's been a while since we've had a town Christmas tree, so there are a few trees that've had a long time to grow,” Harry explains.
“Well, that's one thing we can tick off our list. Try as we might, we couldn't find a way to bring a tree all the way from Bull,” Red says with a grin.
“OK. So tree, check. What's next on the list, Dottie?” Ruthie asks.
Miss Dottie pulls her glasses out of her every-present handbag and pushes them up her nose before leaning forward and still squinting at the long list of notes in front of her. “Decorations,” she says before looking back up. “We've already got seven truck-loads we brought with us from home and what we picked up in Anchorage.”
“We've also got an old storage shed behind the Fire Station/Sheriff’s Office/City Hall building. It has a bunch of old stuff from back in the day,” George says. I'm still stuck on the fact that the town has one building for everything official, and that one man holds almost all of the town positions. Maybe he's just a multi-tasking, do-it-yourselfer.
“They'll be a bit dusty but nothin' a good rag and some elbow grease can't fix,” Cary says.
“Could always grab some paint from the Hardware store and freshen them up,” Toby suggests. “Austin's good at buildin' stuff, repairin' too.”
I look over at my brother-in-law who has his thinking face on. That means he's probably thinking of things he can build and/or paint to make George's holiday wish come true.
“OK,” Ruthie says, moving on. “Next on the list is the festival. I was thinkin'—”
“A festival ?” The Arrys—as I'm now calling them—and George whisper in unison, their voices filled with awe.
“You think we'd come all this way to give the town Christmas and not give you a holiday festival of your own?” Mags says. “Georgie Porgy, you're gettin' the full Christmas package. Trees, decorations, food, market stalls, and a festival to celebrate it all.”
George turns to his friend. “Larry, I'm goin' to ask you to pinch me.”
“Why's that?”
“Cause there's no way any of this is real,” George says to his now grinning friend.
“Believe it. This town of yours is gettin' the Christmas we've all wanted and that you deserve. And all because you went on the internet and found yourself a pen pal called Ruth,” Larry beams, patting George's back.
George lifts his beer glass to his lips and takes a healthy gulp before lowering it back to the table, the foam sticking to his grey mustache.
“Savin' some for later, are 'ya George?” Landry asks, gesturing to his top lip.
George blushes as his jolly laugh fills the air. “Yep.” Then his brows furrow. “Wait, what about the Holly Jolly Cup? Are y'all not doin' that again this year?”
“We've done a couple of challenges on the way here already,” Miss Aggie says. “But that's just between the couples. No need to do anythin' official since we're all too busy bein’ Yuletide fairies.”
“But you'll keep doin' them, right? The challenges? Cause I'd love to see all of y'all battlin' to see who wins,” George says, looking around our group. “Maybe I could even take part?”
Ruthie grins. “I think that can be arranged.”
“Got any ideas of what kind of activities we can do for the challenges while we're in Rainbow Springs?” Cora asks George and his friends.
They look between each other, sharing some unspoken conversation before Cary nods. “I'm sure we can think of somethin'.”
“Now, back to this festival. For the market stalls, we'll need to spread the word around the townsfolk but we've got a radio channel we can use to do that, cause I'm sure there'll be plenty of willin’ vendors,” Barry says, speaking for the first time. What shocks everyone is just how deep and low his voice is. He must notice all the surprised expressions on our faces because his brows lift sky-high. “What?”
“Your voice is awesome ,” Star says. And wouldn't you know it, the big, tough, and gruff Barry blushes bright red.
Frankie quickly rushes to write all of our ideas down. “OK. So, we've got the tree, decorations, challenges, and food at the market. I'm not sure if there's anythin' left to organize.”
“Sounds like we've got everythin’ covered,” Red notes.
“Ah, there's just one thing…” Gary says, joining us from behind the bar. “You've forgotten about the big man in Red.”
“That's me !” Tobes announces, puffing out his chest with pride. “I'm playin' Santa. I've got the costume and everythin'.”
“Not sure you need it with that beard,” Rhett muses.
Toby strokes his facial hair before turning his dancing gaze over to me. “Skippy loves it.”
I smile and shrug because there's no point denying it. I love everything about my husband, crazy overgrown beard and all.
“Well now, how about we enjoy George and the Arrys' hospitality and start a little friendly wager over at the axe throwin' cages before callin' it a night. Who's game?” Austin asks before pinning me with a stare. “Except you, Dee. We all know that if you play, no one else has a chance.”
“Hey! I can't help it if none of y'all can beat me.”
“Challenge accepted,” Austin says.
We spend the next few hours eating delicious food in the one-of-a-kind mushroom-shaped bar before I proceed to wipe the floor with everyone who tries to beat me at throwin' an axe.
Guess my lucky streak continues…long may it continue.