The table I was sitting at had the whole gang I looked around to get the count Across from me was Frankie Flats He was building a hot-air balloon out of his mashed potatoes Down the line was Amber Holiday my former flame We had not spoken much since I put her brother Donny away for a scheme a couple months back But that’s a different story altogether Between Frankie and Amber was Amber’s best friend Becky Lipgloss She was the resident pretty girl and the object of my best pal’s affection Sitting to my right was said best pal Larry MacGuffin He was staring not at his lunch but at Becky MacGuffin had not been at Edwin West too long but we had already been on quite a few adventures together I had a sneaking suspicion that Becky was the only reason MacGuffin came along on the cases with me I glanced at the tray that I had pushed away and tried not to get sick MacGuffin finished the sandwich his mother made for him He read the note she left on his napkin smiled and then wiped his mouth with it What’s the big idea Mac How come you 11
were smart enough to bring a lunch today I asked I knew turkey was on the menu Don’t you listen to the weekly menu announcement I’m allergic to turkey Jon That’s why my mom made a lunch for me today he responded giving the napkin note one more read What do you have there I asked spearing a whole piece of turkey on my fork It looked like a chunk of concrete on a stick Oh nothing My mom never packs a lunch without a little note You know to encourage me through the day he said holding the napkin up so I could read it I had to look past the wrinkles in the napkin and the mix of peanut butter and jelly over the words It said My schmoopie Lar-bear Have a wonderful rest of the day You are loved XOXO Momsies 12
I looked back up at MacGuffin in shock Listen Mac I told him if I were you I wouldn’t show this to anyone else And if anyone asks if it’s yours deny it up and down the street MacGuffin looked worried so he crumpled the note and hid it in his shirt pocket until he could dispose of the evidence Hey Jon Jon What are you going to be in the Thanksgiving play Frankie Flats asked from across the table I dropped the concrete onto my tray and wiped my hands I decided to sit it out Frankie I said But I will be up in the rafters making sure you all look good by doing the lights I’ll be playing the Plymouth Rock Frankie said jabbing his fork into the mashed-potato balloon hoping it would deflate I get the best lines in the play I rolled my eyes and turned to Becky for at least some intelligent conversation And how about you Miss Lipgloss I asked Who or what will you be portraying I’ll be playing the role of Katherine Carver she said She was the wife of John Carver 13
