Free Crashing Into Tess by Lilly Christine

grew up. Every
Sunday, she takes the train from the city to make us dinner,
lamb or beef or veal, homemade pasta and her own gravy.
It’s a tradition.”
“Hmm, just like our Friday night dinners, from
Momma’s,” Alice teased.
     
“I’m always one for tradition,” she giggled.
    Alice arrived with dinner as Tess was kicking off her
boots and dirty coveralls. “Wow, it smells like heaven. You
and Mia Nonna, si così generoso! You both feed me,” she
laughed, grabbing silverware and napkins from the
drawers.
“Nonna Maggie sounds like my kinda girl,” Alice
answered, sorting through the bags on the counter.
    “I adore her. My table cloth and napkins are from her
hope chest, from the old country, and Nonna Maggie made
the quilt on my bed. She makes fresh mozzarella and grows
herbs in tubs in her little garden. I hope she can come visit
next summer, with my parents. She’d love to meet you.”
    Steam escaped from the containers Alice was opening.
“Oh, before I forget: Jackalope dinner, next month at the
high school, Doc and Bea’s treat.”
    Tess dished up dinner, handing Alice a plate of
eggplant and chicken. “Jack-a-what? I thought Trick or
Treat was next?”
    Alice laughed as she sat down. “It is. A Jackalope is a
mythic creature: a jackrabbit with antlers. The taxidermists
make them up around here as a gag. There’s one down at
the bar, I’ll show it to you. They do fundraising dinners
with game dishes, elk, antelope, rabbit, and so on, and call
them Jackalope dinners. Rotary is hosting. The whole town
will be there. Doc and Bea are excited about introducing
you to everyone.”
    “Bea’s not wearing a costume, is she?” Tess asked,
grabbing Pellegrino from the fridge and pouring it into the
glasses Alice had set on the table.
    “Nope, that’s the Hallowe’en Dance at the Elks Club,”
Alice said patiently. “That’s the last Saturday in October,
three weeks away. Better put that one on your social
calendar, too. We’ll need to come up with costumes.”
Tess put a fork loaded with chicken and eggplant in her
mouth. “Yum, will the food at the Jackalope be this good?”
    “Well, I’m not a big game eater, so I pretty much stick
to the smoked trout and wild rice, but you can try
rattlesnake jerky if you want,” Alice offered diplomatically,
digging into her salad.
    “Rattlesnake jerky?” Wrinkling her nose, Tess
shrugged. “When in Rome, I suppose. I should probably
give it a shot. It’ll give me something to talk about with the
ranchers.”
    They ate the better part of dinner silently, enjoying the
food. Finally, Tess pushed her plate back. “I was hungry. I
start running again tomorrow, now that my hip is better.”
“Has Cassie stopped by?”
    Tess smiled. “She was here yesterday. We looked at my
vet books and I made her a root beer float. It’s clear her dad
adores her, but I get the feeling she doesn’t get much
attention from her mom. She’s such a great kid. Next time,
I want to take her to the library, but I can’t figure out if I
should ask her mom. I don’t want it to seem like I don’t
think she’s doing her job.”
“Mmm,” Alice said noncommittally. “This is Vicki’s
    weekend, so we’ll probably see Cassie at the clinic
tomorrow. Did you set up your bank account?”
“What?”
“Your bank account, did you set one up here in Green
Junction yet?”
“I get my first paycheck next week, I’ll do it then.
Why?”
“Vicki’s the manager at the branch near the shopping
plaza. Avoid it. She knows that Cassie and Jake helped you
move in, and she’s got you marked. She can be lethal.”
Tess got up to make coffee. “Are you kidding me?
What problem could Vicki possibly have with me? We’re
neighbors. Cassie stops by to visit like it’s nothing.”
“Green Forks Ladies night was Tuesday.” Alice set the
new pickaxe cups and saucers on the table with the sugar
bowl. “Twice a month, mixed drinks two dollars. Lotts
usually works. As