Bluegrass State of Mind(37)

"What is upstairs?" Kenna asked as Paige started up.

"I am. I live upstairs. Very convenient. Almost never late for work."

The ladies arrived at the cafe and were shown to a booth in the back by Miss Daisy. "I heard that Henry ordered your sign today, Kenna. Should go up next week."

"How on Earth could you know that?"

Miss Daisy just smiled and patted her head like a little girl. "I never reveal my sources. Now, what would you ladies like to drink? You know what you want for dinner yet?"

"Kenna got to meet Whitney today," June piped in.

"Then I know exactly what you want. Be back in a jiffy." Daisy took off to the kitchen, stopping at every table to spread the word of what was being called “the meeting.”

Heads turned toward her as people gave her sympathetic looks. Daisy trotted back out with three tall glasses of what looked like iced tea. "Bless your heart. If you had to meet Whitney, then you need this. Now, what would you like to go with it?" Daisy set down the glasses and took out her pad.

"We were thinking of a dessert dinner. Let’s start with the bread pudding with bourbon butter sauce as an appetizer. Then move to chess pie for dinner. And peach cobbler with ice cream for dessert." Paige looked to Kenna who stared blankly at her and to June who was just nodding her head in approval of the choices.

Feeling slightly overwhelmed with the dinner menu for tonight, Kenna took a sip of her iced tea and choked. "Daisy Mae, what on earth is in this ice tea? It's kinda burning a little."

"That's the bourbon, dear. Now, ladies, may I also recommend the chocolate silk pie for an appetizer, freshly made this afternoon?"

"Sounds great." June took a sip of her drink. "Ohhh, this is heavenly. I love the touch of mint you added.”

Daisy nodded her thanks and took off to the front of the cafe, spreading the news of “the meeting” and the fact Kenna needed a stiff drink, bless her heart, and dessert. Seeing that she was once again the focus of most of the patrons, she took another big sip of the bourbon-spiked ice tea. This time it wasn't nearly so bad.

Kenna looked down at her glass and realized it was almost empty. "Wow. It does go down smooth after the first sip. And it feels good. I'm all warm, and I think I'm already tipsy. Why haven't I had bourbon before?" Paige and June looked at each other and then down at their glasses. All three broke out into giggles as they realized each glass was now empty.

Miss Daisy came out with a slice of chocolate silk pie and a big bowl of what looked like bread under whipped cream, sitting in some kind of creamy sauce.

"Another round of Daisy Mae's special iced tea, please!" Paige giggled.

"Coming right up as long as you promise not to drive. And don't get into any strange man's car. One of the boys will walk you home. I could call Noodle. He'd escort you."

"Cross my heart and hope to die," Paige said, making an X over her heart and looking at Miss Daisy with all the seriousness in the world.

Kenna snorted, "Did you say Noodle? Noodle would walk us home?" She succumbed to another round of the giggles.

"That's one of our trusty deputies. I'll go get you another round, but just because you had to deal with Whitney, bless your heart." Miss Daisy went back to the kitchen where Miss Violet had anticipated the need and made a whole pitcher that was quickly brought out the table.

Kenna looked at the bread pudding and decided to give it a try while Paige was pouring another round of drinks. She scooped up a piece, making sure to include some whipped cream and a good coating of sauce.

"Oh my God!" Kenna blurted out. Paige, June, and most of the cafe turned to her. "This is so good. I have never had anything so good. This definitely makes up for having to meet Whitney." The patrons laughed and Kenna took another sip of her now-full glass before plunging in to the rest of the bread pudding.

"So, now that you're liquored up and starting on desserts, tell me what happened when you met the wicked witch from D.C.," Paige said as she topped off Kenna's glass of iced tea.

Kenna leaned forward and whispered, "It was so embarrassing."

"Speak up, dear. We can't hear you," an anonymous older lady's voice said from the depths of the cafe. Kenna looked out of the booth and found the whole cafe had gone quiet and people were all looking at her expectantly.

"All of you want to know? Why?" she addressed the crowd.

"We'll just find out later, hon. So you might as well tell us. Besides, most of us have had our own run-ins with Whitney," Miss Violet said as she came out of the kitchen and took a seat at a table.

Kenna took another big gulp of her spiked iced tea. "Fine. You all want to know?"