14 Stoneybrook: Pool Party

 I would like to thank Julie Demers for helping me with the Rotary Club and Stoneybrook Hospital idea. It's been a tough week for both of us, but we have managed to still turn out some good (great?) ideas!

Pool Party

Dawn had to admit to herself that she was enjoying hanging out with Pete. But she enjoyed going on dates with Bart, and she wasn't looking for anything serious. She still had her life back in California.

"So, are you going out again?" Asked Shannon.

Dawn blushed. "Yes, we are going to check out the bars and clubs tomorrow night. But it's not what you think. He wants to check out and talk to all the places and people in Stoneybrook. You know, get to know what the people want out of a mayor. That kind of thing."

"Uh-huh!" The other girls said and everyone laughed. 

That afternoon after baseball practice the team, Bart, Pete, Jessi, Mal, Shannon, and Robert all gathered at Logan and Mary Anne's house for a pool party. Then little by little the parents started picking up their kids. The Bruno kids and the Brewster kids went off to spend the night at friends' houses.

The adults decided to spend some time in the pool themselves. As the afternoon turned into night, everyone got out of the pool and started a game of cards. Just when they were about to start, the door bell rang. It was Claudia with some local wine, samples of the t-shirts and duffle bags she designed for The Midnight Society, and flyers to advertise it.

"These are amazing Claudia!" Bart said.

Pete was also impressed and asked Claudia to help with designing products for his campaign. They all settled in to play cards and began talking.

"What is going to be your main issues you are going to take on if you are elected?" Asked Claudia.

"Well, Claudia that's a loaded question. I'm going to work closely with the Historical Society in preserving our heritage sights in Stoneybrook. That includes fundraising for funding to help out our friend Bart here with the parks, as well as trying to help Alan be reinstated as the lighthouse keeper. Of course, the citizens will have to vote on it, but we have come up with some plans to raise awareness before the election."

"I appreciate that Pete. And I know Alan does too."

"I am also going to concentrate hard on working with the Rotary Club to bring some culture and diversity to the town by bringing exchange students and other people to visit in from other countries and cultures."

"That sounds awesome! Shannon and I are on the Rotary Club. You should join us for the Cultures Across America Celebration coming up soon."

"Absolutely! Just give me the details. I have entrusted my assistant and intern with helping run my private practice doctor's office to make myself more available."

"Your work is associated with Stoneybrook Hospital isn't it? " asked Mallory. "Could you possibly help me and Claudia me get access to some information about the history of the building for our history project?"

"Sure. Why don't you come into my office Monday and I will show you around."

What Mallory and Claudia didn't tell him was that they were following up on a lead that Stoneybrook Hospital might have been part of the Underground Railroad. They had been walking down an intense rabbit hole they were desperately trying to get to the bottom of.

After some more chatting, the group started to break up. Both Bart and Pete kind of lingered to try to talk to Dawn. Bart got to her first. Pete decided to go ahead and go. But as he was getting into his car he started thinking. Things were starting to finally look up for him. He had a hard time getting back in the dating game after his divorce but he had a wonderful time with Dawn last night. He decided to sit in his car and just observe Dawn and Bart for a few minutes. He didn't want to step on anyone's toes, but he also wasn't sure what Dawn's feelings were for him (or Bart for that matter). But he knew he sure was developing a crush on her. He watched as Bart kissed Dawn.

Then again a little competition never hurt anyone, Pete thought.