Page 34 of Mr. B

Maggie put a hand on her arm. “Just keep it in mind. In the meantime, maybe you and I can become better friends.”

Cassandra shook her head. “Then I’ll be obligated to come to the wedding.”

“Exactly.”

By the time the men came out of the kitchen, Maggie, Cassandra, and Theresa had swept and mopped the floors, wiped the tables, and filled the shakers and napkin holders. The smell of cooking pizza had been replaced by the lemon scent of the floor cleaner.

Wes looked around the clean restaurant. “You’d never know there were a few hundred people through here over the last several hours.”

Gentry went to the beer cooler. “Who wants a beer?”

Theresa held up a hand. “I appreciate the offer, and I’m tempted, but I’ve got three kids at home waiting to be tucked in.”

Abe nudged Gentry. “So does he, but he’s having one.”

“I can’t, really. But thank you so much for making this happen. I don’t know how much we raised tonight, but it was a lot.”

“Glad to help.” Gentry walked her to the door and unlocked it.

Cassandra looked at Wes. “Um…”

“You’re welcome to stay.”

“Then I’ll stay. But one is my limit. I’ve got a child at home, too.”

Abe and Wes pulled the chairs off one of the large tables, and they all sat down as Gentry brought a six-pack and the breadsticks to the table.

Abe opened his beer and held it up. “To a very successful night.”

Cassandra tapped his bottle. “Thank you all.” She turned to Wes and tapped his bottle. “Senior camp, here we come.”

He took a drink. “Shared showers and all.” He realized what he had said, and choked on the beer as it went down. “Um…bathroom. Shared bathroom.”

Abe laughed. “Okay, brother. We’re going to want to hear all about camp when you get back.”

“Shut up.”

Maggie smiled at Cassandra. “Sounds like a fun week.”

“Yes. Wes, myself, Coach Porter, and four former students, who will get college credit for helping us out.”

“How many students?”

“If the whole class goes, then forty-seven.”

“That’s a pretty good ratio.”

Wes took a sip of beer. “They are a good group of kids. It’s going to be great.”

Abe put a hand on Wes’ shoulder. “Better you than me, brother. I have my hands full with one two-year-old.”

Wes looked at Maggie. “You may not know this, but Abe was the only student in the twenty-two-year history of senior camp to get sent home.”

Maggie turned to Abe. “Really. I’d like to hear that story.”

Abe shook his head. “No, you don’t.”

“Oh, but I do.”