Page 35 of Resisting the Fall

“You can park at the church.” I looked out the window. Main Street was bustling with people. The leaves on the large trees that lined both sides were transitioning—some were still green, but most had changed to an assortment of red, yellow, and orange. The fall colors truly were stunning, and the contrast between them and the white steepled church sent a familiar wave of nostalgia through me.

Ben parked his truck next to Edna Bloomberg’s Buick. “So why exactly are we here?”

I unbuckled my seatbelt. “You’ll see.”

He followed me toward the back of the church, glancing my way occasionally until we reached the back door. “For real, what are we doing?”

My smile grew. “It’s bingo night!”

He stared at me like he was trying to make sense of what I’d said. Or maybe if I was serious.

“On the community board at Keller’s, I saw the Ednas host a monthly bingo night at the church activity center. Every first Thursday at five. How perfect for our shared experience, right?” I glanced at the time on my phone. “But we need to hurry. It’s starting.”

As I reached for the handle, Ben grabbed my arm, stopping me. “The Ednas? All things considered, that’s who you think we should spend the next hour with?”

I feigned ignorance. “I don’t see the problem.”

He glanced at the door and back at me. “If we go inside, every person in Autumn Ridge is going to know our business by tomorrow.”

My smile was possibly a touch overdone. “I thought that was the charm of living in a small town—everyone’s business becomes community property. Besides, you know as well as I do that there’s no way we’re going to keep people from finding out.” I paused. “Unless we dismiss the Vermont case and file the divorce in New York.”

Ben was already shaking his head. “You want the Ednas to know about us still being married? Let’s go tell them.”

I lifted my chin, hoping he was bluffing. “Perfect. Let’s go.”

He wasn’t. Without a moment’s hesitation, he pulled the door open, gesturing me inside. “After you.”

A dozen of Autumn Ridge’s most seasoned residents were seated at a cluster of tables inside. Their confused expressions shifted to shock when their eyes settled on us. Two of them placed their hands over their hearts and several others watched on with gaping mouths. In hindsight, this hadn’t been my best idea. The mere sight of Ben and me together again might be enough to cause some sort of irreparable harm to this age demographic.

I took a hesitant step over the threshold and gave a small wave.

The Ednas sat at the center table, their husbands seated on each side of them.

Edna Gilbert removed her glasses, wiped them, and put them back on, as if her eyes were deceiving her. “Is that Maven Price and Bennett Walker?”

“It most certainly is,” Edna Bloomberg said, excitement radiating from her. “What in heaven’s name are the two of you doing here? And together, at that?”

“We came to play bingo.” I sounded overly cheery.

“You came to play?” The Ednas—as we affectionately called the two of them collectively, or Edna B and Edna G, individually—said in near unison. Edna G was petite with hair that had been dyed a whitish yellow, while Edna B was heavyset with dark eyes and hair, but they were one and the same when it came to basically everything else.

“Actually,” Ben said, making my gaze shoot to him, “I was hoping I could be the caller. Unless someone else has claimed the honor?”

Edna B pushed the metal cage toward the edge of the table closest to Ben. “Please do. You have such a nice, strong voice.”

Ben grabbed the bingo cage and moved it to the only table of the four that didn’t have anyone seated at it.

“I’ll be your assistant,” I said, realizing with four people per table, there really wasn’t much of a place for me.

“I don’t think so.” Ben’s smirk was infuriating. “You were just saying how excited you were to play, and we all know how much you love good, friendly competition. Why don’t we squeeze in a chair for you right there, between the Ednas?”

“Oh yes, dear.” Edna G scooted her chair toward her husband. “Come sit by us.”

Edna B was already standing, retrieving a chair for me and placing a bingo card on the table along with a big fat marker. “Here you are, Maven.”

With one brief but potent scowl in Ben’s direction, I situated myself between Autumn Ridge’s most accomplished gossips.

Ben’s eyes roved over the nodding players. “Don’t think just because I’m new to this, you can pull anything over on me. I’ve got my eyes on all of you.” He pointed at Mr. Curtis, who already looked like he was half asleep. “Especially you, Larry.”