Page 47 of 5 Golden Flings

Leo gave a short chuckle and handed a mug over to Walter. “Have I ever thought that far ahead in my whole life?” He sat down and gestured to Walter. “He’s visiting because it turns outwe both have a problem with the bottle. But he’s actually kicked it.”

Walter proudly produced a coin from his suitcoat pocket declaring he’d been sober for fifteen years. “After I heard about what happened at the football game, I reached out to your father and encouraged him to look into attending some meetings with me.”

“He’s going to be my sponsor,” Leo declared proudly. “And as luck would have it, tomorrow night is my first meeting in Asheville. Walter is going to drive us.”

Foster was surprised, but pleased by his father’s initiative. He hadn’t even suggested anything like a step program for fear he’d reject it right off. “I think that’s great, Dad. And I’m glad you have someone to go with you.”

Leo nodded and then gave his son a conspiratorial grin. “It also means you have the evening off if you’d like to take Miss Jordan out to dinner or something nice without me tagging along.”

“After the meeting,” Walter added, “I thought we’d go to Ellen’s Diner for something to eat, and I’m happy to hang around the house until you get back. I know he’s not supposed to be by himself right now and it’s my job as his sponsor to help him stay on the straight and narrow one day at a time.”

“That would be great,” Foster said. “I’ll have to see if she’s available, but either way, I appreciate the thought. And I appreciate you trying to help, Mr. Hancock.”

“We all go by our first names in the program, Foster. You can just call me Walter.”

Once their coffee was finished, Leo and Foster walked Walter out so he could head over and open up the funeral home offices for the day. Foster was about to come back inside when he noticed Alice nearly skipping down the sidewalk. She had afreshly dry-cleaned Santa suit in a plastic bag draped over her arm and a satisfied grin on her face.

Foster hoped he was responsible for a little of that. But unlike him in last night’s clothes and in desperate need of a shower, a shave, and a nap, she looked as pulled together as usual.

“Good morning,” he said from the porch as she came near.

Alice stopped and climbed the few steps to give him a kiss. “Good morning.”

“You’re awfully chipper for someone who barely slept last night.”

“It’s chemically induced. I just pounded a double espresso at the coffee shop before I picked this up,” she said, gesturing to the suit. “But I also got some very good news.”

“What’s that?”

“I have a Santa for the parade. After you left this morning, I turned my work phone back on and I had a message from Gloria Everett, the high school principal. Her husband, Red, is going to volunteer to fill the boots for the parade. It’s such a relief. I’m on my way to take the suit to her at the school right now.”

“Oh, well, that is great news. We should celebrate.”

Alice arched a suspicious eyebrow at him. “I don’t have the energy for any more celebration right now.”

“I meant dinner,” Foster clarified. “I just found out that my dad is going to be going to his first alcoholics meeting tomorrow night, and he’ll be in trustworthy hands. He suggested I take the opportunity to take you out to dinner and, if you’re available, I’d like to do just that.”

Alice picked up her phone and scanned it briefly, scrolling with her thumb. “Would seven work for you?”

He nodded. “I’ll get reservations at Whittaker’s, if that sounds all right. I’ll pick you up. And if you’d like, you could stay here overnight.”

“I don’t know, Foster. I can’t pull another all-nighter, as much as I enjoyed it.”

“I’m pleased that you think I can. We can both rest up tonight and I promise you will be fast asleep by midnight at the absolute latest. Probably sooner if we’ve had a lot of good food and wine.”

Alice sighed and considered his offer. Then she smiled. “I guess I’ll pack a little overnight bag to bring with me. I’ll see you tomorrow at seven,” she said, leaning in to give him another kiss. Then, she turned and continued down the street with her Santa costume over her arm.

There weren’t many dining options in Rosewood. And if you wanted something fancier than pizza or diner grub, there was only one choice: Whittaker’s. The Whittaker Family was another important family in town. They owned a big horse farm outside of town in addition to the restaurant. Their daughter Lydia Whittaker took over as the executive chef a few years back and from what Alice had heard, the food had never been better.

She arranged plenty of dinners there for Otto, but almost never went there herself. It was the place for schmoozing and canoodling, something she didn’t do either of. She also learned pretty quickly after coming into town that Lydia was someone to keep her distance from. She liked having things her way and would do whatever she could to get it—even going so far as to once set a firecracker off under a horse with pop star Ivy Hudson on its back.

It was the first parade Alice had coordinated after coming to Rosewood. She was hired because they were doing a bunch of fundraising after a damaging tornado hit the high school. Alice stepped up, taking the reins, and making the town events asuccess when it was all said and done. But she didn’t appreciate her star being nearly thrown from the saddle, nor did she like her attendees and participants nearly being trampled in the process. Especially since it was all over the affections of the local football coach, Blake Chamberlain. After that, Alice learned to keep her distance from—and her eye on—Lydia Whittaker.

The hostess seated them in a private booth, leaving them with the menu and the wine list. They selected a starter to share, she ordered a vodka martini, and Foster opted for an old fashioned.

After they received their drinks and ordered entrees, they were able to settle into their evening together and relax.

“So, since we’re celebrating tonight, I feel like I should propose a toast. To Santa!” Foster said.

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