Chapter 25: Cultures Across America Party

 Cultures Across America Party

Dawn was excited as she arrived at the Cultures Across America Party that evening. Dawn always enjoyed anthropology and she knew that the people visiting Stoneybrook would bring some new life to the small town. She saw Rick Chow was there taking pictures of the food tables decorated with each culture's foods and other trinkets. Dawn wouldn't have chosen the country club for the party if it had been up to her, but she let it go to enjoy the evening. 

Everyone was dressed up in formal dresses and tuxedos. Some even had on authentic outfits from their native countries, including Claudia who was wearing one of Mimi's kimonos. Kristy and Abby arrived followed by Karen with Alan and Watson and Liz behind them. It was the type of party where someone announces the guest's names and states where they are from when you enter. It was pretty much an event that Dawn would have preferred them introducing just the new guests.

Dawn was seated at a table with Mary Anne and Logan, Shannon and Robert, Pete and Bart. At least she would be in good company. Lewis was also there and she discovered that he was sitting at a table with Mallory, Jessi, and Claudia. Stacey and Sam arrived just before the head of the Rotary club began to speak and introduce each guest. After the beginning introductions, everyone began to eat dinner and dance while the DJ played a wide variety of music. 

"Watson is hosting the Zuni guest. I wonder if he remembers when we had that huge sleepover for the Zuni pen pals."

"That would definitely be cool. I noticed Alan showed up with Karen tonight. I wonder how Kristy is taking it."

Jessi was the first one out on the dance floor with the elderly gentleman from the exchange. Mallory and Lewis, we're next, just as soon as a country and western song came on. 

"May I have this dance Dawn", asked Pete. They got out on the dance floor and joined them. Mary Anne and Logan hung back for a few minutes and then got out on the dance floor too. Soon everyone was doing a line dance led by Logan and Lewis. When the song was over Jessi continued to dance. Dawn and Pete and most of the others went to get food. 

" I want to be sure each of the exchanges knows that they are welcome to the 4th of July fireworks show tomorrow downtown. The city has spared no expense this year on getting the finest available plus there will be food trucks and lemonade stands out in the square," said Pete. 

"Plus live music, I heard the Junk Bucket is playing a gig sometime in the afternoon there. Plus the restaurants in the area are going to have their patios open for anyone who wants to view the fireworks." Said, Dawn.

"I heard there is also going to be a laser light show before the fireworks. My friend is helping them set up," said Bart. 

"Well if I can recover from today I will be out there," said Dawn.  

She was glad she had taken a long nap that afternoon before the party. It gave her time to calm down and rest her muscles and be less mad about Jenny and her friends cheating the race. Dayen excused herself to the lady's room to freshen up. When she got there she ran into Kristy and Abby in the adjoining dressing room talking about Alan.

"I'm telling you he is up to something. He is talking to Jenny an awful lot tonight even though he came with Karen and then he comes back like nothing ever happened and is talking to Karen about how wonderful Pete is and getting his lighthouse back," Kristy said. 

"He is up to something! He and Cary Retlin are planning something on Monday. I overheard them talking at the lighthouse when I went over to the cliff to do yoga. We are going to do surveillance on them."

"There is no telling what he is up to. I am worried he is trying to take advantage of Karen."

"Well we've got Mallory at Watson's and Claudia is working with her at Crookshanks. We are keeping our eye out."

"At least I will be here for a longer stay," said Kristy.

Dawn left them to return to her seat. The Rotary Club had a video projected on the walk that showed their projects through the years and pictures of the local members doing all sorts of things. Daen noticed that when the lights came back on Karen and Alan were gone and never returned to the party. Dawn relaxed and danced the night away with Pete, Bart, sometimes Lewis, and various others including Watson and an elderly gentleman named Bob.

After the party, everyone caravaned over to Logan and Mary Anne's house to talk about the race. Stacey brought Erica and Claudia brought Rick. She also had statements from Watson and Karen who weren't coming. First, they went through the footage Erica had of the race that day but it was only shot from the finish line and you couldn't tell much from them. Then everyone looked at the photos Rick had taken. His we're much more helpful because they were taken throughout the race from multiple points during the race. 

"You can see that she was consistently behind Dawn and you guys until about the time you see Karen at her watering post. Then you don't see them again until that photo of Pete flashing the peace signs," Rick said.

"I have an idea," said Claudia. "Why don't we go back tomorrow to the locations from the race to see if we can find some sort of shortcut they could have used that wouldn't have been noticeable? Most of us will be downtown for the fireworks anyway. We can just plan to go early and that way it won't get in the way of our fun."

"That's an excellent idea, Claudia!" Said, Dawn.

They all got together and decided to do a sort of reenactment in chronological order of the photographs. 

"It's like the JFK assassination conspiracy." Said Lewis.

They all agreed to meet up the next day downtown at noon. 

The group started to break up with some of them going home. Mallory and Bart stayed behind to hang out with Dawn and Lewis. They roasted marshmallows in the fire pit and continued to drink their beer and wine.

"This has been the most exhausting day," said Bart.

"I tried so hard to win that race. But what are we going to do if we find out that Jenny did cheat to win?"

"Maybe Erica will pick it up as an exclusive for the tv station," offered Mal. 

Dawn wasn't sure, but she was getting that feeling of hair standing on the back of her neck. She knew she was on the verge of figuring out what happened. Dawn got up to get their phone and look at the pictures from the race. She knew she could see more from the Facebook page she could thumb through and use the next day. 

Bart got up as well and gestured for Dawn to follow him on a walk away from the group. 

"Do you want to hang out and watch the fireworks tomorrow night after the reenactment?"

"Sure. We will all be down there anyway. It will be fun. I feel we could both use it after such a full day today."

"Good me too. I know a really good spot my family has been going to since I was a kid. We can make a picnic out of it."

"That sounds fun! You get your basket together and I will make mine. I will just go with you once the reenactment is over." 

"It will be the best 4th of July you have ever had."

 I hope so, thought Dawn. When they walked back Mallory was getting ready to go. Lewis walked her to the door and Dawn was pretty sure he kissed her goodbye behind it. Lewis came back outside with another beer. Logan and Mary Anne said their good night's and hurried off to bed. 

"Aren't you tired?" Lewis asked Dawn. "That was an intense race and then dance to boot, who!"

" I had a good nap in between. Besides now that I've got a mystery to work on I've got my second wind."

Lewis shook his head. "You are somethin'". 

" Do you want to help me go through these photos?"

"Sure let's meet back here in 10 minutes. I want to get out of these nice clothes." Dawn rushed upstairs and changed into some pajamas and came back down with some wine in her hand. 

"Thanks for helping me. I know it's kind of silly to be upset over a race but it is more to me than that. Jenny used it for political gain over Pete. And if there is any way I can help him win the election I am going to do it," said Dawn.

"No problem. I'm pretty passionate about issues too. I was on a few committees back in Kentucky."

"Really? Like what?"

" Well, the Historical Preservation Society, equal pay committee, and one to legalize marijuana."

"Really? I had a committee in California when we were voting on that in 2016."

"Really? I didn't know you smoked."

"I don't. I vape or eat gummies. But I ate all my gummies on the plane here. I was going to ask Karen where to get more but I haven't been around here that much. Don't say a word to Mary Anne though. She won't understand."

"My lips are sealed. I have a few vapes up in my room. Come on let's go out on my balcony and make some cloud."