Finding Truth Behind Legends
by Wizardtho
Chapter 02:
Two days have gone by since Charlie and Jake left. Unpacking has gone slowly, since everywhere I turn, I find something else to explore, inside as well as out. I did have Charlie and Jake place the old chest at the end of my bed before they left, moving the two rockers a bit closer to the fire, because I knew there was no way I could handle it on my own.
Each time I would open a box and attempt to unpack its contents, I would find something I wanted to more know about. I would go to put a book on a shelf, or open a drawer to put tank tops away, but find something beautiful or interesting that would take my focus from unpacking.
A stack of handwritten notes on a shelf found me reading love notes between Gran Hurit and her husband. It looked like they spanned from the time before their marriage, to a single letter my great grandpa wrote to her after she passed away. The two from their wedding day had me wishing to find a love like theirs, while the one to Gran Hurit after her passing left me crying for my great grandpa’s heartbreak for over an hour on the floor of the upstairs loft.
Opening a drawer of the dresser in my room, while trying to put my tank tops away, I found a pretty little fabric sachet filled with dried herbs and flowers. Under it was a folded piece of aged paper, which contained the list of what was in the sachet, and how to duplicate it. Apparently, the sachet could be used as an aromatherapy in the bath, or it could be used in drawers to help keep clothes smelling nice.
Though the scent was very faint, it did smell nice, so I looked closely at the ingredients. Miniature rose buds, lavender, chamomile buds, a bit of lilac, and sage… nothing too complicated. Plus, there was also something at the bottom written about dream pillows, and using herbs to help with remembering or promoting dreams.
It was around 20 minutes after I placed 3 apple pies in the oven that I heard a knock on the front door. I smiled as I opened it to see a short-haired native man with a muscular build. “Miss Bella, I presume?”
At my smiling nod, he held out his hand, “My name is Zander. Did Jake mention that I’d be stopping by?”
I opened the door wide, motioning for him to enter after shaking his offered hand, “Hi, Zander. Of course, I’ve been expecting you. Please, come in.”
At seeing that I hadn’t changed the furniture, Zander grinned, “I see the place hasn’t changed since Father showed Charlie around.”
I nodded in finality, “And it won’t, as long as I have a say in it. I love knowing my family’s history is in these unique pieces. I don’t want that to change, only to put standard things in their places. Though I haven’t had the chance to search out all the nooks and crannies of the house yet, I find out more about my Great Gran Hurit around every turn.”
Zander chuckled happily at my enthusiasm, then sniffed the air as we neared the kitchen. “Is that… apple pie I smell?”
I laughed in response, “Yes, for the pack. I don’t know how many members you have, but I know how Jake and the boys eat, so the last 3 of 6 pies for the pack are now in the oven. I was just about to have some of the one I made for me, if you’re interested. Can I get you something to drink?”
He plopped down in the stool at the island, practically salivating at the 4 pies on the cooling rack. I dug two plates and two glasses from the cupboards as he said, “Yes, please, if you’re sure. Bella, you really didn’t have to bake all that for us. We’re happy to have you here.”
I smiled, handing him a tall glass of water and a large slice of warm pie, “Honestly, Zander, I love being in the kitchen. It was no trouble… and I loved cooking for Jake and the pack back in Forks. Emily could rarely keep me out of her kitchen when everyone was around. Though Jake didn’t tell me what he spoke to you about, I know his protective side showed. He probably begged you to keep a special eye on me. I even saw his ears twitch every time he heard one of your boys in the woods out back. This is just my little way of thanking you all, since I probably will never phase myself.”
Zander moaned almost as soon as the fork reached his lips, eyes wide as they met mine. I gave a little chuckle before taking a bite of my own slice. Mouth still half full, Zander covered it before swallowing, then moaned, “Holy hell, Bella… this is… I don’t even have words for how good this is. Are these from the apple trees out back?”
I grinned, “Yep. The very same. Now I just need to work on getting the garden tended. The blueberry and raspberry plants are looking a bit wild. I’ll be making cobbler with those soon, hopefully. Do you know what the other things are out there, by chance?”
At Zander’s nod, I took a sip of water. “Yeah, your great gran planted those. From what I understand, she used to pluck the buds and used them for things. Her dream pillows were a hit around here, as my grandpa told it.”
I grinned as a piece of the puzzle fell into place, “Oh, cool. I just found a recipe for one in a drawer this morning, under a sachet of dried buds and herbs. Do you think they would still be popular? Other than writing, I have nothing to do with my time, so I was thinking of things to do. It would be neat to do something crafty with my time like that.”
He gave me an incredulous look for a second, then laughed, “Oh, Bella. It’s going to be a blast having you home with us. Yes, the dream pillows would still be a sell-out. After we finish our pie, I think I need to take a walk with you, to show you Hurit’s real garden. From the sounds of it, you’ve only seen the small one right outside the main entry windows.”
I nodded, confused, so he said with a pat to my hand, “Eat up, then I’ll take you. I’ll tell you the story that Grandpa told Dad, and he told me, about your Great Gran Hurit. She’s kind of famous around here, but not because only one of her parents was tribe.”
After pie was done and I took the freshly baked ones from the oven, I took Zander out through the great room doors, where the outside living area was. He walked with me on what used to be a well worn path, by the looks of it. Though it was overgrown now, it must have been a pretty sight when it was used regularly. “If you’re serious about the gardens, I can come with the guys to get these paths cleared for you. Regular trips back and forth after that should keep down the growth on the path.”
I smiled, “Thanks, that would be great, if you don’t mind. If I’d have known before Dad left, I’m sure he and Jake would have taken care of it. I’m interested in seeing what all is in this real garden.”
It was only a few minutes before we reached an opening in the trees. Once we stepped through, we came to a fenced off area that took up nearly the entire clearing, sectioned off into smaller fenced areas, with stone paths wandering from one to the other. Each small gate held a wooden sign with words burned into it. We entered through one that stated ‘Flowers’. “Holy shit, Zander. Are you serious?! This was all Gran Hurit’s creation?”
He chuckled, patting my back, “Yes, Bella. This,” he motioned to the whole clearing before continuing, “Was her real garden.”
As I looked around at the wooden staked signs in the flower garden, I saw miniature and regular roses, lavender, hibiscus, marigolds, catnip, and so many others. “Wow… and she used all this? In her pillows and sachets?”
Zander shook his head with a chuckle, then leaned against one of the fence posts after plucking a small rose bud. “Not just for pillows and drawer sachets, Bella. Your great gran was the tribe herbalist. Teas, tinctures, poultices, the herbal sleep pillows, and a heck of a lot more.”
My eyes went wide as I really took a look around. I had no idea.
I let out a breath in awe, “Holy crap. So she was a medicine woman? Your healer? Oh, God… please don’t tell me you’re hoping I’ll be your new healer. Zander, I have no clue about any of this, or how to use it effectively. I’d most likely end up killing someone.”
He laughed outright, then patted my shoulder. “No, Bella. The tribe has a healer that practices herbal medicine, plus we have a doctor that uses both old and new methods of treatment. If you ever did decide to take after Hurit, you wouldn’t hurt our feelings, though. It runs in your blood, Little Coyote. I saw the proof of that with your excitement of even seeing the garden. Neither the tribe doctor or herbalist are in the know... that we’re aware of, anyway.”
Zander’s statement saddened me. I knew, as we talked and walked through the garden sections more, that I would be trying to learn all I could about the plants and trees in Gran Hurit’s real garden. If I could learn and use all this for helping my people’s protectors, maybe it would give my life true meaning… maybe this was why I felt the need to be here.
I found out that the resident pack master was actually a very happy and funny person. He was always laughing or joking, and seemed to love his life. That made me question something, so I asked, “Zander? Why do you think that the Quileute pack is saddened by becoming wolves, other than the obvious reasons? I don’t understand how you can be so happy, when it only makes them sad.”
Zander sat on the ground at part of the creek edge we came to, motioning for me to join him. Once I sat, he tossed a rock in the water. “Bella, there is so much that isn’t mine to tell. I do know there’s a lot of unrest about one of the legends of their ancestors. Whether it was written the way it was on purpose or not, I have no clue, but I do have a feeling that I have not been told that legend in full. Sam has also had to deal with much that I haven’t. Every generation, one or more of our ancestors have willingly phased until the next generation came through their first shift, to guide us and teach us the ways. Sam didn’t have that, because a lot of their past has been forgotten, or the practices discontinued for one reason or another. It’s sad to see, and I hope my talks with Sam have at least helped him some… but only time will tell.”
I thought about that for several minutes as I skipped a few of my own rocks. When I did speak, it was to say, “Thank you… for telling me as much as you did. I understand about holding secrets that aren’t yours to reveal. Is there a way I can learn more about our histories? The Blackfeet and the coyotes? Someone I can talk to or things in writing I could look at? I just feel like I know more about my white heritage and the Quileutes than I do about my Blackfoot heritage. I feel like I’m where I need to be, but stepping into a whole different world, all at the same time. Does that make sense?”
Chuckling while he stood to brush himself off, Zander then turned to me with his hands out to help me up. “Come on… there’s one more thing I want to show you back at the house, then I need to get to the pack meeting. Wouldn’t be good for the alpha to be late to his own meeting, now would it?”
I shook my head with a laugh, so he offered, “Start with the chest Jake said Charlie handed down to you. Once you’ve gone through that, and read anything of hers in there, then go through what I’m about to show you. After that, I might have someone for you to meet, if you’re interested.”
Once we got back to the house, Zander headed toward the front door, only to start down the stairs. I was confused, “Isn’t it just storage down there? What could be so important in the basement today?”
Zander walked to the door a few feet from the bottom steps, then turned to me before opening the door. “You’ll understand when you see it. Trust me.”
At first, after walking into the dark room, I didn’t understand what I was seeing. Then Zander literally shed light on the subject. I gasped as I took in the room, which was a veritable wonderland of journals, oils, roots, leaves, and flowers. Shelves and shelves, jamb packed full of labeled glass canisters, lidded jars, and bottles. Lines of flowers and leaves strung up along one wall, which looked to have little heaters underneath them. I was astounded by the room, let alone its true meaning. All I could say was, “Wow…”
I could barely hear Zander telling me he would let himself out as I walked toward the shelves, but I don’t think he minded my not responding, because he was chuckling as the front door closed behind him.
I must have spent over an hour down there before my cell phone ringing in my pocket startled me. I jumped as my hand went to my racing heart, “Jesus Christ! Oh, God… Charlie!”
I answered it hurriedly, saying in greeting, “Looks like I’m just starting to scratch the surface here, with Gran Hurit’s life, Dad. Did you know? About her being the tribe healer?”
He hummed in reply, “Found the basement room, have you?”
I shook my head as I touched a mason jar containing a salve of some sort, “Zander showed it to me. He stopped by today to introduce himself, and… shit, I forgot to give him the pies I baked for the pack. Sorry, anyway… he stopped by. When I mentioned the garden, he told me to take a walk with him. After showing me Gran Hurit’s true garden, we came back to the house, where he led me to her room. Dad, this is all so… I don’t even have words for how amazing this is.”
He chuckled, then said, “Slow down, Bells. There’s no need to rush to learn your whole family history in a few days. Take a breath, then I think you should start reading her journals in the trunk. Have you looked at them yet?”
I shook my head, “No. I haven’t really had a chance. Every time I try to unpack, I find something of hers, then get caught up in learning about her. I found letters between her and great grandpa earlier.”
We talked for a few more minutes, then once Charlie was assured that I was faring well, he said his good nights. I took one more look around the room, then remembered the pies again. With a smile, I turned off the light, then shut the door to what I’d quickly come to think of as the medicine room. I walked up the stairs, going straight to the kitchen to deal with the pack apple pies, not wanting them to go bad.
After placing the pies in travel containers, I grabbed my keys and wallet from the desk, then headed toward the front door… only to realise I had no idea of where to go to find Zander. I didn’t know where he lived, or any of the pack, for that matter.
Just as I reached the front door, a knock sounded, startling me slightly. I opened it, only to smile widely when coming face to face with none other than Zander, himself, and a long haired male. “I was just about to try finding you, but here you are. Come on in.”
Zander grinned as he entered, saying, “Bella, this is my beta, Greg.”
I shook his hand, “Hi, Greg. Nice to meet you. Zander, I got caught up with the medicine room earlier, and forgot to give you the pies for the pack. That’s why I was going to try finding you.”
Greg grinned, “That’s actually why we’re here. Mr. Alpha here was raving about your pie at the meeting, but had no proof to back up his words. I told him we’d better get those pies before you decided to give them away to the neighbors, instead.”
I chuckled, “No chance of that, since they were already promised.”
It was thirty minutes later that I was saying goodbye to Zander and Greg, but only after Zander made me promise to call if I needed anything. I was left with both of their phone numbers, as well as a vow that they would be back to clear the overgrown paths a day or two later.
Two days have gone by since Charlie and Jake left. Unpacking has gone slowly, since everywhere I turn, I find something else to explore, inside as well as out. I did have Charlie and Jake place the old chest at the end of my bed before they left, moving the two rockers a bit closer to the fire, because I knew there was no way I could handle it on my own.
Each time I would open a box and attempt to unpack its contents, I would find something I wanted to more know about. I would go to put a book on a shelf, or open a drawer to put tank tops away, but find something beautiful or interesting that would take my focus from unpacking.
A stack of handwritten notes on a shelf found me reading love notes between Gran Hurit and her husband. It looked like they spanned from the time before their marriage, to a single letter my great grandpa wrote to her after she passed away. The two from their wedding day had me wishing to find a love like theirs, while the one to Gran Hurit after her passing left me crying for my great grandpa’s heartbreak for over an hour on the floor of the upstairs loft.
Opening a drawer of the dresser in my room, while trying to put my tank tops away, I found a pretty little fabric sachet filled with dried herbs and flowers. Under it was a folded piece of aged paper, which contained the list of what was in the sachet, and how to duplicate it. Apparently, the sachet could be used as an aromatherapy in the bath, or it could be used in drawers to help keep clothes smelling nice.
Though the scent was very faint, it did smell nice, so I looked closely at the ingredients. Miniature rose buds, lavender, chamomile buds, a bit of lilac, and sage… nothing too complicated. Plus, there was also something at the bottom written about dream pillows, and using herbs to help with remembering or promoting dreams.
It was around 20 minutes after I placed 3 apple pies in the oven that I heard a knock on the front door. I smiled as I opened it to see a short-haired native man with a muscular build. “Miss Bella, I presume?”
At my smiling nod, he held out his hand, “My name is Zander. Did Jake mention that I’d be stopping by?”
I opened the door wide, motioning for him to enter after shaking his offered hand, “Hi, Zander. Of course, I’ve been expecting you. Please, come in.”
At seeing that I hadn’t changed the furniture, Zander grinned, “I see the place hasn’t changed since Father showed Charlie around.”
I nodded in finality, “And it won’t, as long as I have a say in it. I love knowing my family’s history is in these unique pieces. I don’t want that to change, only to put standard things in their places. Though I haven’t had the chance to search out all the nooks and crannies of the house yet, I find out more about my Great Gran Hurit around every turn.”
Zander chuckled happily at my enthusiasm, then sniffed the air as we neared the kitchen. “Is that… apple pie I smell?”
I laughed in response, “Yes, for the pack. I don’t know how many members you have, but I know how Jake and the boys eat, so the last 3 of 6 pies for the pack are now in the oven. I was just about to have some of the one I made for me, if you’re interested. Can I get you something to drink?”
He plopped down in the stool at the island, practically salivating at the 4 pies on the cooling rack. I dug two plates and two glasses from the cupboards as he said, “Yes, please, if you’re sure. Bella, you really didn’t have to bake all that for us. We’re happy to have you here.”
I smiled, handing him a tall glass of water and a large slice of warm pie, “Honestly, Zander, I love being in the kitchen. It was no trouble… and I loved cooking for Jake and the pack back in Forks. Emily could rarely keep me out of her kitchen when everyone was around. Though Jake didn’t tell me what he spoke to you about, I know his protective side showed. He probably begged you to keep a special eye on me. I even saw his ears twitch every time he heard one of your boys in the woods out back. This is just my little way of thanking you all, since I probably will never phase myself.”
Zander moaned almost as soon as the fork reached his lips, eyes wide as they met mine. I gave a little chuckle before taking a bite of my own slice. Mouth still half full, Zander covered it before swallowing, then moaned, “Holy hell, Bella… this is… I don’t even have words for how good this is. Are these from the apple trees out back?”
I grinned, “Yep. The very same. Now I just need to work on getting the garden tended. The blueberry and raspberry plants are looking a bit wild. I’ll be making cobbler with those soon, hopefully. Do you know what the other things are out there, by chance?”
At Zander’s nod, I took a sip of water. “Yeah, your great gran planted those. From what I understand, she used to pluck the buds and used them for things. Her dream pillows were a hit around here, as my grandpa told it.”
I grinned as a piece of the puzzle fell into place, “Oh, cool. I just found a recipe for one in a drawer this morning, under a sachet of dried buds and herbs. Do you think they would still be popular? Other than writing, I have nothing to do with my time, so I was thinking of things to do. It would be neat to do something crafty with my time like that.”
He gave me an incredulous look for a second, then laughed, “Oh, Bella. It’s going to be a blast having you home with us. Yes, the dream pillows would still be a sell-out. After we finish our pie, I think I need to take a walk with you, to show you Hurit’s real garden. From the sounds of it, you’ve only seen the small one right outside the main entry windows.”
I nodded, confused, so he said with a pat to my hand, “Eat up, then I’ll take you. I’ll tell you the story that Grandpa told Dad, and he told me, about your Great Gran Hurit. She’s kind of famous around here, but not because only one of her parents was tribe.”
After pie was done and I took the freshly baked ones from the oven, I took Zander out through the great room doors, where the outside living area was. He walked with me on what used to be a well worn path, by the looks of it. Though it was overgrown now, it must have been a pretty sight when it was used regularly. “If you’re serious about the gardens, I can come with the guys to get these paths cleared for you. Regular trips back and forth after that should keep down the growth on the path.”
I smiled, “Thanks, that would be great, if you don’t mind. If I’d have known before Dad left, I’m sure he and Jake would have taken care of it. I’m interested in seeing what all is in this real garden.”
It was only a few minutes before we reached an opening in the trees. Once we stepped through, we came to a fenced off area that took up nearly the entire clearing, sectioned off into smaller fenced areas, with stone paths wandering from one to the other. Each small gate held a wooden sign with words burned into it. We entered through one that stated ‘Flowers’. “Holy shit, Zander. Are you serious?! This was all Gran Hurit’s creation?”
He chuckled, patting my back, “Yes, Bella. This,” he motioned to the whole clearing before continuing, “Was her real garden.”
As I looked around at the wooden staked signs in the flower garden, I saw miniature and regular roses, lavender, hibiscus, marigolds, catnip, and so many others. “Wow… and she used all this? In her pillows and sachets?”
Zander shook his head with a chuckle, then leaned against one of the fence posts after plucking a small rose bud. “Not just for pillows and drawer sachets, Bella. Your great gran was the tribe herbalist. Teas, tinctures, poultices, the herbal sleep pillows, and a heck of a lot more.”
My eyes went wide as I really took a look around. I had no idea.
I let out a breath in awe, “Holy crap. So she was a medicine woman? Your healer? Oh, God… please don’t tell me you’re hoping I’ll be your new healer. Zander, I have no clue about any of this, or how to use it effectively. I’d most likely end up killing someone.”
He laughed outright, then patted my shoulder. “No, Bella. The tribe has a healer that practices herbal medicine, plus we have a doctor that uses both old and new methods of treatment. If you ever did decide to take after Hurit, you wouldn’t hurt our feelings, though. It runs in your blood, Little Coyote. I saw the proof of that with your excitement of even seeing the garden. Neither the tribe doctor or herbalist are in the know... that we’re aware of, anyway.”
Zander’s statement saddened me. I knew, as we talked and walked through the garden sections more, that I would be trying to learn all I could about the plants and trees in Gran Hurit’s real garden. If I could learn and use all this for helping my people’s protectors, maybe it would give my life true meaning… maybe this was why I felt the need to be here.
I found out that the resident pack master was actually a very happy and funny person. He was always laughing or joking, and seemed to love his life. That made me question something, so I asked, “Zander? Why do you think that the Quileute pack is saddened by becoming wolves, other than the obvious reasons? I don’t understand how you can be so happy, when it only makes them sad.”
Zander sat on the ground at part of the creek edge we came to, motioning for me to join him. Once I sat, he tossed a rock in the water. “Bella, there is so much that isn’t mine to tell. I do know there’s a lot of unrest about one of the legends of their ancestors. Whether it was written the way it was on purpose or not, I have no clue, but I do have a feeling that I have not been told that legend in full. Sam has also had to deal with much that I haven’t. Every generation, one or more of our ancestors have willingly phased until the next generation came through their first shift, to guide us and teach us the ways. Sam didn’t have that, because a lot of their past has been forgotten, or the practices discontinued for one reason or another. It’s sad to see, and I hope my talks with Sam have at least helped him some… but only time will tell.”
I thought about that for several minutes as I skipped a few of my own rocks. When I did speak, it was to say, “Thank you… for telling me as much as you did. I understand about holding secrets that aren’t yours to reveal. Is there a way I can learn more about our histories? The Blackfeet and the coyotes? Someone I can talk to or things in writing I could look at? I just feel like I know more about my white heritage and the Quileutes than I do about my Blackfoot heritage. I feel like I’m where I need to be, but stepping into a whole different world, all at the same time. Does that make sense?”
Chuckling while he stood to brush himself off, Zander then turned to me with his hands out to help me up. “Come on… there’s one more thing I want to show you back at the house, then I need to get to the pack meeting. Wouldn’t be good for the alpha to be late to his own meeting, now would it?”
I shook my head with a laugh, so he offered, “Start with the chest Jake said Charlie handed down to you. Once you’ve gone through that, and read anything of hers in there, then go through what I’m about to show you. After that, I might have someone for you to meet, if you’re interested.”
Once we got back to the house, Zander headed toward the front door, only to start down the stairs. I was confused, “Isn’t it just storage down there? What could be so important in the basement today?”
Zander walked to the door a few feet from the bottom steps, then turned to me before opening the door. “You’ll understand when you see it. Trust me.”
At first, after walking into the dark room, I didn’t understand what I was seeing. Then Zander literally shed light on the subject. I gasped as I took in the room, which was a veritable wonderland of journals, oils, roots, leaves, and flowers. Shelves and shelves, jamb packed full of labeled glass canisters, lidded jars, and bottles. Lines of flowers and leaves strung up along one wall, which looked to have little heaters underneath them. I was astounded by the room, let alone its true meaning. All I could say was, “Wow…”
I could barely hear Zander telling me he would let himself out as I walked toward the shelves, but I don’t think he minded my not responding, because he was chuckling as the front door closed behind him.
I must have spent over an hour down there before my cell phone ringing in my pocket startled me. I jumped as my hand went to my racing heart, “Jesus Christ! Oh, God… Charlie!”
I answered it hurriedly, saying in greeting, “Looks like I’m just starting to scratch the surface here, with Gran Hurit’s life, Dad. Did you know? About her being the tribe healer?”
He hummed in reply, “Found the basement room, have you?”
I shook my head as I touched a mason jar containing a salve of some sort, “Zander showed it to me. He stopped by today to introduce himself, and… shit, I forgot to give him the pies I baked for the pack. Sorry, anyway… he stopped by. When I mentioned the garden, he told me to take a walk with him. After showing me Gran Hurit’s true garden, we came back to the house, where he led me to her room. Dad, this is all so… I don’t even have words for how amazing this is.”
He chuckled, then said, “Slow down, Bells. There’s no need to rush to learn your whole family history in a few days. Take a breath, then I think you should start reading her journals in the trunk. Have you looked at them yet?”
I shook my head, “No. I haven’t really had a chance. Every time I try to unpack, I find something of hers, then get caught up in learning about her. I found letters between her and great grandpa earlier.”
We talked for a few more minutes, then once Charlie was assured that I was faring well, he said his good nights. I took one more look around the room, then remembered the pies again. With a smile, I turned off the light, then shut the door to what I’d quickly come to think of as the medicine room. I walked up the stairs, going straight to the kitchen to deal with the pack apple pies, not wanting them to go bad.
After placing the pies in travel containers, I grabbed my keys and wallet from the desk, then headed toward the front door… only to realise I had no idea of where to go to find Zander. I didn’t know where he lived, or any of the pack, for that matter.
Just as I reached the front door, a knock sounded, startling me slightly. I opened it, only to smile widely when coming face to face with none other than Zander, himself, and a long haired male. “I was just about to try finding you, but here you are. Come on in.”
Zander grinned as he entered, saying, “Bella, this is my beta, Greg.”
I shook his hand, “Hi, Greg. Nice to meet you. Zander, I got caught up with the medicine room earlier, and forgot to give you the pies for the pack. That’s why I was going to try finding you.”
Greg grinned, “That’s actually why we’re here. Mr. Alpha here was raving about your pie at the meeting, but had no proof to back up his words. I told him we’d better get those pies before you decided to give them away to the neighbors, instead.”
I chuckled, “No chance of that, since they were already promised.”
It was thirty minutes later that I was saying goodbye to Zander and Greg, but only after Zander made me promise to call if I needed anything. I was left with both of their phone numbers, as well as a vow that they would be back to clear the overgrown paths a day or two later.