This story is purely a work of fiction. Any resemblance to person's living or dead, or to events that may have occurred, is purely coincidental.
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Mark Stevens
CHAPTER FOUR
Britt was coming out of the post office Monday afternoon when he saw Susan Abbott having a conversation with Joe Thomas, the elementary custodian. He couldn't help overhearing part of their conversation.
"You are out of your mind, young lady," Thomas declared. "What you are saying is preposterous and not possible."
"I have proof," Susan told him. "If you will agree to see me this evening, I'll prove it to you."
"It's all a lie. Now, get out of my life and leave me alone!"
Britt watched as the custodian walked angrily away from the school teacher. He hurried up to the woman and gave her a smile.
"Is everything all right, Miss Abbott?" he asked her.
Susan Abbott turned to him, surprise showing on her face. "It's Mr. Williams, isn't it?"
Britt gave the woman another smile. "Britt will do," he assured her.
"You do seem to get around town," she remarked.
"I guess I do," he said. "However, Porterville isn't very big." Britt added, "Is Madison Elementary as big as Jasper Creek?"
"How did you know that I came from Jasper Creek?"
"Like I said, this is a small town. People are very friendly."
"You describe them as being friendly; I see them as being meddlesome and nosy." Clipping the last of her words, Susan Abbott turned away and hurried to her car.
Britt watched the woman get into her vehicle and drive away. She certainly seemed to be making enemies since arriving in town, he thought. He remembered the fundraiser at the school, and the man he had seen her having a heated conversation with.
His thoughts focused on Susan's remark about the people of Porterville being nosy. He had to partly agree with her. However, Britt had always thought of the town's people as being friendly and concerned for each other. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted.
"Earth to Britt."
Britt was suddenly aware of someone standing before him. He recognized Alice. She had a box full of envelopes.
"Hi, Alice," he greeted. He reached for the box she was carrying and said, "Let me give you a hand."
As she passed her load over to him, Alice said, "Sam decided he wanted these statements mailed this evening, rather than tomorrow."
"I told you the old geezer would work you to death." Britt walked inside the post office for the second time with Alice on his heels.
"He's such a dear," Alice defended the newspaper owner, as well as her boss.
As Britt sat Sam's mail items on the counter, he was greeted by Russell Thompson, the postmaster.
"Back so soon?" Russell called from behind the counter.
"Just doing my good deed," Britt declared. He was turning away from the counter when he thought of something. "Russell, can I ask you something?"
Russell Thompson leaned against the mail counter. "What's on your mind, Britt?"
"Russell, do you know Susan Abbott?"
"I believe she's a new teacher this year at the elementary school," the postmaster remarked.
Britt gave him a nod. "She is. Tell me, does she receive much mail?"
Russell had a surprised look appear on his face. "Why are you interested in her mail?" he asked.
"I'm not really. I've seen her around town, and there's something about her that spikes my curiosity. Nothing more," he ended.
"Well, first of all, Britt, I can't really discuss another person's mail with you. However, I will say this: she's new in town. New people usually don't receive much mail. At least not at first," he added.
The postmaster's remark caused Britt to tuck a couple of things inside his memory bank. Giving the man a smile, he said, "Thanks. See you around, Russell."
Once they were outside the building, Alice asked, "Why are you so concerned with my renter, Britt?"
Britt shrugged his shoulders. "I really can't say for certain, Alice," he answered. "I've run onto the woman three different times, and each time she's been involved in a heated discussion with someone. She seems to get around town, but she's definitely not making any friends."
"You realize, Britt, that we've lived in Porterville all of our lives. Well, I have," she corrected herself. "You left for several years before returning. Still, you know most of the people, and have all of your life. It has to be hard for an outsider to come to a small town like Porterville. People sometimes tend to be cliquish and have a hard time accepting new people."
Britt didn't exactly agree with his partner's sister, but he kept his thoughts to himself. He shrugged his shoulders and said, "You're probably right, Alice." He looked at his wristwatch. "I'm heading home. Devon's probably there already. See you there."
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
Britt was up early the next morning and in his office working on his latest book when there was a knock on the door. At his invitation, Wallace, the butler, came into the room carrying a tray containing an insulated coffee pot and a cup and saucer.
"I thought you might enjoy some coffee as you work, Sir," the man greeted with a smile.
Britt gave the old gentleman a grin. "I certainly would, Wallace. Thanks for being so thoughtful."
"Not at all, Sir." Wallace removed the things from the tray and sat them on the corner of Britt's desk. "May I pour you a cup, Sir?"
"You may, but please, Wallace, drop the `sir'."
"Very well, Mr. Williams."
Britt took the cup filled with coffee. "I don't suppose you would be willing to address me as `Britt', now would you?"
"I can do that, Mr. Britt."
The butler's words caused Britt to laugh. "Very well, I'll settle for that."
"Will there be anything else, Mr. Britt?"
"I'm good. Again, thank you for being so thoughtful, Wallace."
"Certainly, Mr. Britt."
As the butler turned to leave the room, Britt stopped him. He asked the man to have a seat. The old gentleman did as he was asked and waited for Britt to speak.
"Wallace, tell me, just how long have you worked for the McKenzie family?"
"Many years, Sir. Mr. Britt," he corrected.
"You were already employed by the time Devon was born?"
Wallace nodded. "I was. If I might ask...Mr. Britt, is there something on your mind?"
Britt shook his head. "Not exactly," he answered. "I'm working on the first part of my new book. I'm just trying to bring things together."
"So, you've begun your story about Porterville?"
Britt gave the butler a nod. "I have. It was slow going at first, but things have started to pick up."
"I see."
Britt studied the faithful servant sitting in front of him. "I'm very glad you have been here for Devon," he told the man.
"I loved the boy from the first moment I saw him," Wallace admitted.
"He is easy to love," Britt agreed.
Wallace didn't respond to Britt's statement. He remained silent.
"Wallace, were you aware of the deal that John and Elaine McKenzie had with Mr. Cooper?"
At the man's hesitation, Britt said, "I'm just trying to work out some facts for the book, Wallace. I'm not going to write anything that will hurt Devon," he assured the man.
"Can you be certain of that? The truth is sometimes quite painful."
"I realize that, Wallace."
"It's rather obvious when one child leaves home and another returns to take its place," Wallace remarked. "There were nearly four months difference in the two."
"And you never questioned the matter?"
Wallace shook his head. "Wasn't my place to," he answered.
Britt detected a bit of hospitality in the man's tone. He quickly assured him he was not casting any judgment on him, or even on John and Elaine McKenzie. "As you can see, everything worked out," he said,
Wallace stood to his feet. "If we're through here, Mr. Britt, I'll leave you to your work."
Britt smiled at the man. "I have no more questions, Wallace. Thanks again for the coffee."
"Very well. Should I serve your lunch up here?"
Britt assured him he would like that, adding, "Just a sandwich will do, Wallace."
"Good luck with your writing, Mr. Britt."
Britt suddenly found himself alone once more. He refilled his coffee cup and returned to his computer, soon to be lost in the world of his characters and their lives. He usually sent three chapters at a time for his editor to read, and he had just begun the first chapter.
For a time the words came easy for Britt as he set the characters of his story in place. Everything was flowing smoothly for him, and he was surprised when he suddenly came to a brick wall. His mind kept returning to Wallace's visit and the words he had spoken to Britt.
"The truth is sometimes quite painful."
When Britt thought about his book and the direction he felt it needed to take, he had to admit the old butler might be right. Could he write it the way he wanted and not hurt a few people? What about Devon? Britt loved the man with all his heart. He couldn't stand the thought of causing his lover any embarrassment or pain. The same was true with Alice. Britt loved her almost as much as he did her brother.
Britt leaned over his computer for a time with his eyes closed. He tried to relax and allow his mind to process all of his thoughts.
"Babe, you need to write this book. It's something that both Alice and I want."
Britt opened his eyes and looked up. Devon's voice had sounded so real that he expected his lover to be in the room with him. There was no one in the office except Britt. He shook his head and searched the room again. He was still alone.
Britt suddenly felt his body relax. He returned to his writing knowing it was what Devon and his sister both wanted. He would tell their story.