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Authors: Glynis Whiting
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bodies that had consumed far too much liquor the night before.
Gabe stood at a podium set on the floor instead of up on the stage. Just like Gabe, she thought, to want to be on the same level as everyone. She let escape a small smile.
âHeâs changed some, but not in the important ways,â Hazel observed.
Gabe thanked everyone for coming, introduced his team, then proceeded with official business. The RCMP knew little more than they had in the wee hours of the morning. It was important to the investigation that they talk to everyone and get the necessary contact information before anyone left town. Joan wasnât sure sheâd get away that easily, given Marlenaâs insane accusation that she had murdered Roger.
The woman Mr. Fowler had identified as Daphne raised her hand. Of all the women in the room she seemed the most perfectly made-up today. Her hair was precisely sprayed in place. âI canât stick around,â she called out. âI have to get to Calgary by six oâclock.â Her voice was abrupt and impatient this morning. This was a far cry from the timid girl Joan had known in high school. Gabe told her that an officer would take her information right away, and theyâd see what they could do about getting her on her way as soon as possible.
Gabe then singled out Peg. She looked pale and unsteady. He reminded her that they needed a complete list of reunion guests. Then he thanked everyone again and left the podium.
Before anyone could get away, Ed Fowler hurried to the microphone and announced that he had organized an evening of board games at the old school, now the cultural centre. The caterers had agreed to set-up in the hallway there for an Italian-themed buffet. His cheery smile belied the tragedy that was keeping them all in Madden. One would have thought that this recent turn of events had created a wonderful opportunity. Joan had no idea whether or not Mr. Fowler had a wife and kids or any social circle, but he was obviously enjoying the company from his past.
Ed Fowler had been kind to her mother, her brothers, and her. He had made them feel as though they belonged in Madden when the common attitude was that the Parker family had made their own bed because her father had spent beyond his means. She recalled Fowler quoting Robert Kennedy, insisting that they all had the potential, through small actions, to change the world. He applauded moral courage, and outside the classroom, he practised those teachings by supporting her family despite community disapproval. People in the gym were grumbling at his suggestion of Scrabble and rummy. Although she usually avoided large social gatherings, she would make a point of showing up at her old teacherâs tournament. It was time to repay his kindness.
She still hadnât touched base with Peg in person, so she hovered near while the reunion chairperson met with Gabe. The only thing that looked healthy about her was her generous head of silky black hair. When she started to waver, Gabe helped her to a seat. It certainly looked worse than a twenty-four hour bug.
A flurry of activity caught Joanâs attention. People were gathering around a small table as though it was an end-of-the- year clearance sale. Over their shoulders she could see that they were flipping through the 1979 Madden yearbook. She felt a heavy weight in her chest. Her family had left town before she could pick up her copy. Although sheâd paid for it, sheâd never even seen it. She wondered again if her photo had been included or if all record of her time at Madden High had vanished. She felt as though she was intruding on a private ceremony and turned toward a display of student art, staring at the charcoal sketches of motorbikes and flowers until the crowd around the yearbook began to thin.
Once everyone had drifted away, Joan went to the table. The book, bound in the navy-and-gold school colours, was open to photographs of a school
Gabe stood at a podium set on the floor instead of up on the stage. Just like Gabe, she thought, to want to be on the same level as everyone. She let escape a small smile.
âHeâs changed some, but not in the important ways,â Hazel observed.
Gabe thanked everyone for coming, introduced his team, then proceeded with official business. The RCMP knew little more than they had in the wee hours of the morning. It was important to the investigation that they talk to everyone and get the necessary contact information before anyone left town. Joan wasnât sure sheâd get away that easily, given Marlenaâs insane accusation that she had murdered Roger.
The woman Mr. Fowler had identified as Daphne raised her hand. Of all the women in the room she seemed the most perfectly made-up today. Her hair was precisely sprayed in place. âI canât stick around,â she called out. âI have to get to Calgary by six oâclock.â Her voice was abrupt and impatient this morning. This was a far cry from the timid girl Joan had known in high school. Gabe told her that an officer would take her information right away, and theyâd see what they could do about getting her on her way as soon as possible.
Gabe then singled out Peg. She looked pale and unsteady. He reminded her that they needed a complete list of reunion guests. Then he thanked everyone again and left the podium.
Before anyone could get away, Ed Fowler hurried to the microphone and announced that he had organized an evening of board games at the old school, now the cultural centre. The caterers had agreed to set-up in the hallway there for an Italian-themed buffet. His cheery smile belied the tragedy that was keeping them all in Madden. One would have thought that this recent turn of events had created a wonderful opportunity. Joan had no idea whether or not Mr. Fowler had a wife and kids or any social circle, but he was obviously enjoying the company from his past.
Ed Fowler had been kind to her mother, her brothers, and her. He had made them feel as though they belonged in Madden when the common attitude was that the Parker family had made their own bed because her father had spent beyond his means. She recalled Fowler quoting Robert Kennedy, insisting that they all had the potential, through small actions, to change the world. He applauded moral courage, and outside the classroom, he practised those teachings by supporting her family despite community disapproval. People in the gym were grumbling at his suggestion of Scrabble and rummy. Although she usually avoided large social gatherings, she would make a point of showing up at her old teacherâs tournament. It was time to repay his kindness.
She still hadnât touched base with Peg in person, so she hovered near while the reunion chairperson met with Gabe. The only thing that looked healthy about her was her generous head of silky black hair. When she started to waver, Gabe helped her to a seat. It certainly looked worse than a twenty-four hour bug.
A flurry of activity caught Joanâs attention. People were gathering around a small table as though it was an end-of-the- year clearance sale. Over their shoulders she could see that they were flipping through the 1979 Madden yearbook. She felt a heavy weight in her chest. Her family had left town before she could pick up her copy. Although sheâd paid for it, sheâd never even seen it. She wondered again if her photo had been included or if all record of her time at Madden High had vanished. She felt as though she was intruding on a private ceremony and turned toward a display of student art, staring at the charcoal sketches of motorbikes and flowers until the crowd around the yearbook began to thin.
Once everyone had drifted away, Joan went to the table. The book, bound in the navy-and-gold school colours, was open to photographs of a school
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