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Date Posted: 07:15:58 03/26/03 Wed
Author: dqfan
Subject: Re: Say the Words - ch.31 & 32
In reply to: dqfan 's message, "Re: Say the Words - ch.30" on 07:08:41 03/26/03 Wed

CHAPTER THIRTY ONE

"What do you mean she's sick?" Charity exclaimed, catching poor Curtis totally off-guard.

"I mean she's sick, Ma'am, as in Doctor Burke told her she has bronchitis and should stay in bed for at least a week - no cooking, no catering, no nothing," Curtis explained as he searched beneath the counter for Rusty's "Closed" sign.

"Try over there…" Gracie nudged helpfully.

"What? Oh, thanks, Gracie…" Curtis mumbled as he checked the top drawer next to the cash register.

Although she hated the fact that her mother was sick, Gracie was enjoying having Curtis around to play with. Curtis and Sophie were making sure that she was well taken care of during her mother's illness. Still, Gracie felt very grown-up, taking it upon herself to tell them exactly when they needed to pick her up at school and reminding them to make sure her mother drank lots of orange juice.

"The problem is Curtis," Frank explained, "that we need to have this party Saturday night."

"It HAS to be Saturday night," Alexander emphasized dramatically.

Dressed in his RAF flight jacket, Alexander cut a very authoritative figure next to Agnes' illustrious town sheriff, who was currently wearing a chef's apron and an extremely befuddled expression. As a matter of fact, ever since Frank walked in with Peter's domineering aunt and Sophie's charismatic father, poor Curtis had the sinking feeling he should have called the station for back-up.

"Ah! Here it is!" Curtis proclaimed, finding the sign just where Gracie had directed him.

"Told you…" Gracie nodded with satisfaction.

"Why Saturday night?" Curtis asked, his attention returning to the subject at hand.

"It's my birthday," Frank mumbled quietly.

"Oh, Happy Birthday, Frank," Curtis wished sweetly, even though he was still a few day's early.

"Thanks, Curtis," Frank was feeling more self-conscious by the minute. Why had he ever allowed Charity to talk him into this?

"The party is the best excuse we could come up with to bring Peter and Sophie together for one night," Charity enumerated.

"Yeah, I heard they were on the outs again," Curtis nodded as he began searching for some tape to place the "Closed" sign in the window.

"So, you'll do it? You'll let us have the party?" Charity persisted tirelessly.

"Party? Someone having a party?" Daisy enthused, walking into Rusty's with Ezra by her side.

Curtis rustled desperately for the tape as the population of the supposedly closed diner increased by two more.

"Ezra, Daisy, what are you two doing here?" Frank wanted to know.

"Relax, Frank, we're still on our leash," Ezra calmed his supreme ruler. "I'm working at Oakhaven today and Daisy's helping me. Dr. Burke sent us over for sandwiches…"

Though he didn't approve of Ezra's use of the word "leash," Frank was relieved to know the pair were under some sort of supervision and nodded his consent.

"No sandwiches!" Curtis barked, "and no party! Peter and Sophie will just have to find another way back to each other."

"Now Sheriff," Charity's voice was taking a decidedly stern tone. "I'm sure we can reach some sort of agreement here."

"Hello, Ezra…Daisy…" Alexander greeted Sophie's students warmly. "It's nice to see you again.

"Nice to see you, too," they replied with identical smiles, hoping that Alexander might tell them more about this party to mend Peter and Sophie's relationship.

"Charity, have you met Daisy and Ezra?" Alexander interrupted Charity's attack on poor Curtis momentarily.

"What? Hmm? Oh, no, forgive me, children," she apologized. "It's nice to meet you."

"Mrs. Mitchell is Peter's aunt," Alexander introduced her to the two inquisitive students.

"Ezra and Daisy are two of Peter and Sophie's prized students, Charity," Alexander added with a wink.

"Oh they're a prize all right," Frank muttered under his breath.

"Really? Well, then I am definitely delighted to meet you both," Charity shook their hands warmly.

"But, if you'll excuse me, I'm in the process of explaining to the good sheriff…" Charity lost her train of thought for the moment.

"That reminds me, did I ever tell you that my great-great-grandaddy ran for sheriff, once," she reminisced blithely, "of course, he lost - not exactly unexpected since he ran the local saloon, encouraged gambling and other…"

Charity took into account that there were children present and finished in a hushed voice, "Questionable activities…"

"Oh…" Curtis nodded, totally mesmerized by Charity's ability to change topics instantly.

Alexander, Daisy and Ezra laughed openly at Charity's story, while Frank just rolled his eyes, wondering how the woman could possibly be so attractive and so infuriating at the same time.

"So, you see, Sheriff, I do understand that you have duties to perform," Charity acknowledged while Gracie whispered the location of the tape into Curtis' ear.

"That's why WE will take care of everything for the party," Charity assured him grandly.

Instantly, Frank and Alexander gulped and asked in unison, "We will?"

"And we'll help!" Daisy chimed as Ezra questioned again, "We will?"

"Sure we will," Daisy insisted, giving Ezra a look that screamed "follow my lead, or else…"

"I know all the Cliffhangers would love to help," Daisy vowed, certain she could convince them for the good of their grades.

"They will?" This time it was Ezra and Frank who asked simultaneously.

"Splendid!" Charity enthused. "There, it's all arranged, Sheriff. All you have to do is leave us the key…We won't disturb Annie in the least, I promise."

Before Curtis knew what was happening, Charity had snatched the key from his hand and untied the apron from his waist, placing it around her own.

Now, why don't you and Gracie go upstairs and see if there's anything Annie needs?" Charity suggested, nudging them both from behind the counter.

"Curtis, I found the tape!" Gracie squealed, thrilled at her success.

"Great, honey, that's just great…" Curtis mumbled as Charity swept them up the stairs and, thankfully, out of her hair.

"Now," Charity finally exhaled, addressing her troops with a military precision that Alexander found incredibly arousing, "let's get to work!"

^^^^^^^^^^^

Peter had parked his motorcycle about a mile down the road, afraid that the sound of his bike might alert Sophie to his presence. He walked the rest of the way, praying his plan would work.

It wasn't even six a.m. yet but the morning sun was beginning to shine brightly on the fresh mountain dew. The air was crisp and Peter enjoyed the quiet reflection that time alone in nature always provided him. Meanwhile, tucked safely inside his leather jacket was the key to his success.

Peter knelt before the door of Rusty's diner, hoping he wasn't making too much noise as he leaned a small giftwrapped box against the threshhold.

As he looked up into the window, Peter noticed a pair of tiny brown eyes, staring inquisitively back at him, peering shyly from behind the curtain. Smiling broadly, Peter greeted the child who reached immediately on tiptoes to unlock the door.

She was still in her nightgown and favorite matching Sleeping Beauty bathrobe and slippers as Peter swept Gracie into his arms to keep her warm against the chilly morning air.

"Hey, Sweetheart," he hugged. "What're you doin' up so early?"

"Couldn't sleep," Gracie yawned. "Mommy's sick and I'm not supposed to wake her…"

"I heard she had the flu," Peter nodded, wrapping Gracie inside his jacket tightly. "But Dr. Burke will make her well real soon."

"Now, what are you doing opening the door to strangers?" he demanded in a suitably reprimanding voice.

"You're not a stranger, Peter," Gracie laughed, cuddling happily against the warmth of his soft knit sweater.

"Guess you've got a point," Peter admitted with a wink.

"What's that?" Gracie asked curiously, noticing the brightly colored package with the big red bow.

"A present…" Peter drawled with a grin.

"For me?" Gracie wondered excitedly.

"'Fraid not, Honey," Peter shook his head. "It's for Sophie."

"To say you're sorry for lying?" the little girl surmised astutely.

"She told you about that, huh?" Peter grimaced.

Gracie nodded her head and crossed her arms against her chest with a disapproving frown. "Mommy says it's not nice to lie."

"Wanna know a secret, Gracie?" Peter asked in a hushed tone, claiming the girl's undivided attention.

"Mommy's are always right," he whispered as he tickled her playfully.

Suddenly, Peter realized there might be a way for his plan to go much more smoothly and pique Sophie's interest even further.

"Gracie…" he began hesitantly. "You know how you 'help' me at cards sometimes?"

The little girl nodded proudly at their winning ways.

"Well, how would you like to 'help' me say I'm sorry to Sophie?" he asked mischievously.

Gracie thought intently, giving Peter's proposal at least three second's worth of consideration before chiming excitedly, "Okay!"

Conspiratorially, Gracie leaned her ear close to Peter as he outlined his plan, "Now, here's what we have to do…"

^^^^^^^^^^

Some twenty minutes later, Sophie's alarm went off at its usual time and she stumbled out of bed, half-asleep as always. Stubbing her toe on something unexpected on the floor, Sophie let out a loud "ouch" before quickly covering her mouth, hoping she hadn't woken Annie or Gracie.

Looking down, she saw a small giftwrapped box with a bright red bow. Sophie smiled in spite of her aching toe, thrilled to receive presents - especially ones that appeared out of nowhere.

Sophie took her gift and headed downstairs to start the coffee while she opened it. Annie's door was closed and Sophie hoped she had finally been able to get some sleep after several hours of fitful coughing last night. The door to Gracie's room was slightly ajar, just as she requested, so that the tooth fairy could come and go with ease. Sophie stuck her head inside and smiled to see Gracie sleeping soundly, curled tightly in a ball, Mei-Ling by her side.

With the coffee perking, Sophie untied her gift eagerly. Her eyes sparkled as beneath the tissue paper, Sophie discovered the sight of an old, familiar face.
There, staring back at her was Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom.

"Oh, I missed you…" Sophie sighed, running her hand gently over the statue's delicate features.

At once, Sophie regretted leaving her girls behind in her rush to escape Peter's.

Peter…Sophie smiled. He must have done this, but how? Sophie walked over to the front door to see if it was open, but found it securely locked as always.

"Nice trick, Mountain Man," Sophie muttered, wondering how Peter had managed it.

Hearing the excess coffee sizzle over the sides of the pot, Sophie ran to pour herself a cup. Propping Minerva on the counter, Sophie was about to throw out the box when she noticed a small slip of paper inside.

Slowly, she unfurled it, shaking her head at its message. On the sheet was written only one sentence, handsomely flourished in calligraphic script.

The quotation read, "It is impossible to love and be wise." - Sir Francis Bacon.

"Oh!" Sophie chuckled, partly in amusement, partly in exasperation. Her first inclination was to crumple the paper into a ball but she changed her mind quickly and uncreased it forgivingly.

"It's impossible to love Peter Scarbrow and be wise, that's for sure," she rued, secretly quite pleased that he would go to so much trouble for her.

"Well, c'mon Minerva, time for work," Sophie proclaimed, snatching the statue in one hand and her coffee cup in the other as she bounded up the stairs with the biggest smile she'd had on her face in a very long time.

Happily, Sophie entered her bedroom and began dressing, unaware that from behind another door, two rooms down the hall, a little girl was stifling her giggles at a job well done…


^^^^^^^^^^^

CHAPTER THIRTY TWO


And so it went…

Every day Sophie discovered another goddess of wisdom…each at a different time and a different place somewhere in the diner…

They were on her pillow when she returned from work…They were on the counter when she reached for her morning coffee…They were everywhere…

It was driving Sophie crazy! How was Peter managing this?

She thought about asking him when she arrived at Horizon - the day she received Minerva - but decided against giving him the satisfaction. It was enough that he smiled so mischievously and so seductively at her every chance he had. He was far too pleased with himself and this little plan of his to win her heart.

Then, as if the mystery of the appearing statues wasn't maddening enough, there were the quotes… Each one purposely designed to be more pointed, more infuriatingly "wise" than the last.

Next to arrive after Minerva, was Sophie's Egyptian goddess of wisdom, Neit. And just as before, a tiny slip of paper was nestled at the bottom of the brightly giftwrapped box with the single red bow.

"The wise want love and those who love want wisdom," it read. "Percy Bysshe Shelley."

"Well, thank you so much, Percy!" Sophie huffed snidely, chuckling to herself as she did so.

The following day, it was Sophie's Scandinavian goddess, Snotra, who mysteriously reappeared. Snotra's gift box was perched against Sophie's closet door one afternoon - a door Sophie was certain she had left wide open in her hurry to leave for work that morning.

Along with Snotra came yet another gentle reminder of the perils of wisdom.

For, in the words of Samuel Johnson this time, "Love is the wisdom of the fool and the folly of the wise."

"Ohhh," Sophie groaned exasperatedly at Snotra, "He's impossible!"

"You know that, don't you?" she asked Snotra sincerely, seeking unbiased confirmation. "Just impossible!"

As Sophie continued her half-hearted venting to Snotra's understanding visage, she set the figurine gently beside its other previously arrived sisters. Thankfully, almost all of her girls were home now. Just four more to go, Sophie realized - four more days and then Peter's ingenious little escapade would be over. Sophie felt a slight twinge at the thought, which, somehow, managed to generate both relief and disappointment in her at the same time.

Still stumped by how Peter was able to gain access to her room without her knowledge, Sophie walked over to the closet to search for clues.

"Clues," she muttered under her breath, "Oh, he'd love that! Probably has Colonel Mustard delivering the packages personally…"

Sophie checked the closet thoroughly, knocking on the walls for trap doors, hidden passageways and countless other farfetched possibilities, which she'd naturally disavow in an instant, if she were ever to be confronted with her actions. She felt positively ridiculous!

Snapping herself out of her investigative frenzy, Sophie decided to utilize the closet's more usual function and choose something to wear for Frank's birthday party Saturday night. Though Charity's invitation had read "casual," Sophie decided to play it safe and wear her favorite basic black dress. A-line and sleeveless, with a discreet scoop in front and a slight vee in back, it was not too fancy and not too revealing - absolutely perfect for when she wasn't sure what to wear.

It was bound to be awkward, seeing Peter socially, in front of Frank, Charity and whoever else was coming to this little soiree. But Frank had welcomed her to Horizon when he didn't have to - when he had every reason not to. He was a wonderful friend and Sophie wasn't about to let him celebrate his birthday without her best wishes.

As Friday morning dawned, Sophie reached groggily for her walking cast, only to find package number four resting innocently against it, by the foot of her bed.

Sophie exhaled deeply and untied the shiny red ribbon. Lifting the lid of the box with an exaggerated grimace, Sophie's eyes twinkled, nonetheless, as Brahmi, her Sanskrit goddess, smiled back at her glowingly.

"And what do you have to say for yourself?" Sophie quipped curiously as she opened Brahmi's message with the same caution she'd use to open a fortune cookie.

"To be wise and love exceeds man's might" - William Shakespeare.

"Shakespeare…" Sophie sighed with a smirk, shaking her head in disbelief, "Now he's quoting Shakespeare…"

"Well, it's good to have you back, Brahmi," Sophie patted the statue's head lovingly as she set it on the dresser.

Peter had gone to so much trouble for her - returning the few possessions, which he knew meant the world to her. Not only that, but he'd done it so creatively, with such obvious effort, down to the delicate touch of each single red ribbon. Sophie was truly moved by his thoughtfulness.

And, even if the quotes had sometimes made it seem as if he were mocking her quest for wisdom, they were all beautiful, inspiring words that spoke of the power of love, above all else. How could she fault him for that?

So, with similar love and care, Sophie opened the top drawer and placed Friday's quotation gently on top of all the others - each one a cherished remembrance - before securing them tenderly with one of Peter's bright red ribbons and a sweet, gentle kiss.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Fridays were usually fairly relaxed at Horizon…but not this Friday. Everyone seemed on edge - especially the Cliffhangers.

Frank had commanded their presence at an early morning rally so that Charity could properly address her troops.

"Man, and we thought Peter was bad," Auggie muttered in a low voice.

"I beg your pardon, young man…" Charity snapped as Juliette nudged Auggie to pay attention.

"She's got his hearing, that's for sure," Scott moaned, slumping further down in his chair.

"I would like to thank you all for agreeing to help with my little party," Charity complimented unnecessarily, for the Cliffhangers had little choice in the matter after Daisy and Ezra volunteered them in a last-ditch effort to salvage Peter and Sophie's relationship as well as their grades.

"Now, Annie has given me her recipe for something called Chocolate Ecstasy…" Charity donned her reading glasses to check her notes.

"Only Ecstasy I know, definitely ain't chocolate…" Auggie's retort prompted group laughter, which dissipated instantly under Frank's glowering stare.

"But chocolate's good…" Auggie nodded obediently as Frank moved ominously closer.

"Excellent," Charity smiled, amused by how fearful the Cliffhangers were of Frank, who, in her estimation, was a giant, gruff, pussycat.

"So, we're set," Charity turned to see if Frank and Alexander were in agreement.

"I will bake the Chocolate Ecstasy and then make sure that Peter - and our guest of honor, of course…" Charity winked at Frank, thereby causing Juliette to applaud and Frank to squirm, "arrive at Rusty's by 7 p.m."

"Lieutenant Commander Becker will be in charge of the Cliffhangers," Charity detailed authoritatively.

"Gee, and here I thought Sophie was Lieutenant Commander Becker," David deadpanned, making even Alexander chuckle for a moment before he caught himself.

"Now, Annie has suggested several recipes but I hear you all have 'extensive kitchen experience,'" Charity commented wickedly, having heard that Peter favored kitchen duty for his wayward students, "so feel free to contribute," she encouraged.

"Commander Becker has traveled world-wide and has acquired some skills in the culinary arts. I'm sure he will offer his inestimable talent and advice regarding the menu selections." Charity's high praise caused Alexander to blush, more from worry than embarrassment.

Simply put, he'd flinched when Charity asked him if he could cook. Frank had already professed his incompetence in the kitchen; and so, before he knew it, Alexander seized his chance to shine in Charity's eyes - ignoring the troublesome fact that, though he'd tasted every delicacy from Calgary to Caracas, the only dish he could actually cook was chili!

"Still, how hard could it be," Alexander thought to himself foolishly. The party's main goal, after all, was to bring Peter and Sophie together, wasn't it? The guests had all been alerted to Charity's ulterior motives and knew of Annie's unexpected illness. They were bound to be sympathetic. Besides which, Alexander was looking forward to getting to know Sophie's students more personally and the kitchen was as good a place as any to start…

Confident that over 40 years of commanding the RCAF had, at least, prepared him for leading the Cliffhangers on KP for one night, Alexander listened proudly as Charity concluded refreshingly, "What's important is that we all have a good time - especially Peter and Sophie."

Then, humbled with guilt, Charity remembered to add at the last minute, "Oh, and Frank, too, naturally…"

Having fallen under the considerable influence of Charity's exceptional charms, Frank had inexplicably allowed her plan to proceed. He wasn't at all sure how it had happened - in the same way that he could never exactly remember how he proposed to MaryEllen - only that his fate had been sealed and there was definitely no turning back.

So, with a determined façade, Frank tried to appear relaxed. He leaned back against a table, crossed his arms casually in front of his chest, and nodded encouragingly in all the right places during Charity's speech. He tried to think positively. He tried to be optimistic…supportive…enthusiastic even. But, with every word she spoke, he knew. He just knew. This party was headed for disaster.

Well, at least it would be a birthday he'd never forget…

^^^^^^^^^

"Please say you'll come?" Ezra and Daisy begged Michaela and Sully.

"Oh, I don't know…" Michaela hedged non-comitally.

"I ain't one for socializin', E.Z.," Sully offered by way of excuse.

"But we'd love for you to meet them. Will you please just think about it?" Daisy compromised hopefully.

"Well perhaps we could 'think' about it…" Michaela considered hesitantly, against Sully's better judgment.

"Great!" Ezra enthused, before Sully could object further.

"That's all we ask…" Daisy knew better than to press her luck.

"Just call if you need a ride over to Rusty's…" Ezra reminded them cheerfully as he and Daisy left to join the other Cliffhangers, already at the restaurant.

"Oh, I don't think that will be necessary," Michaela rejected Ezra's kind suggestion with a cryptic smile, stifling her amusement as she waved goodbye.

Then, once she was sure that Daisy and Ezra were safely out of earshot, Michaela turned lightheartedly to Sully, giggling as she shared their private little secret. "We'll just be popping in…"

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