The Gin and Chowder Club

87

Noelle paused to glance from the piece of paper in her hand to the street sign marking the intersection of West Wheelock and South Main. The rain had let up, but it was still gray and cool. She pulled her sweater snugly around her body, as best she could, and turned toward the library. She felt her heart race, and she tried to catch her breath.

88

The rusty green and yellow tractor slowed down as Asa walked across the field. One of the farmer’s sons strained to throw a heavy bale to his younger brother and then paused to look up.

“Need a hand?” Asa shouted, motioning with his arms.

The farmer looked at the threatening sky and nodded. Asa fell in opposite the older son, and they both worked the field. The boys looked at him curiously, and the older son recognized him as the runner… but thought he knew him from somewhere else too. The bales were heavy, and the twine burned Asa’s hands. He wished he had gloves, but when he looked at the two boys, he noticed that they didn’t have any either; he would just have to rough it.

89

Noelle tentatively pulled open the heavy door. The librarian and the young woman at the table both looked up. Noelle smiled and walked over to the desk.

“Good morning,” the librarian said, taking in Noelle’s full form.

“Good morning,” Noelle replied quietly. “I am looking for Asa Coleman.”

The woman at the table watched her curiously, wondering who this lady was and what connection she had to the young man who worked here.

The librarian was having the same thought as she answered, “He’s not here right now, but he said he would be back this afternoon.”

Noelle paused and looked at the ancient Seth Thomas clock hanging above the desk. It was already 12:10. She would only be able to stay until 2:30. “Would it be all right if I waited? I’m a friend from out of town, and I was hoping to surprise him.”

“Yes, of course. Please make yourself comfortable,” she replied, nodding to Noelle.

90

Asa lifted the last bale onto the rickety metal conveyor and watched it rattle up to the hayloft. He turned around and saw a woman come into the barn and set down a jug of iced tea, glasses, and a plate of sandwiches. Asa had learned the boys’ names earlier; Seth was the older son, named after his father, and Ethan was the younger boy. Now Asa introduced himself to Mrs. Asher, and she smiled warmly as she poured a large glass of sweet tea for each of them.

91

The only sound in the library was the steady, quiet clicking of the hands on the old clock. Noelle had taken a book from the book cart and settled into the worn Queen Anne’s chair by the window, but she could not keep her mind on the words. Instead, her eyes were drawn to the relentlessly swinging pendulum that was stealing away anxious minutes. Silently, she prayed that Asa would come through the door. Finally, after almost two hours, she got up and asked the librarian for a piece of paper. The librarian opened her drawer, slipped out an ivory sheet with the library’s letterhead at the top, and handed it, along with an envelope, to Noelle. Noelle thanked her and sat back down.

92

“You must be thirsty,” Mrs. Asher said. “It’s not easy work.”

Asa rubbed his palms together and felt the new blisters stinging.

“No, it isn’t. But it’s good exercise.”

Mr. Asher came up behind him. “Well, anytime you need some exercise, you’re welcome here!”

“Please, have a sandwich.” Mrs. Asher held the plate out. Asa glanced at his watch and couldn’t believe the time.

“I really have to go,” he said.

“Well, take it with you, then.”

“Okay.” Asa took a sandwich from the plate and put it on a napkin. “Thank you.”

“Thank you. Lunch is the least we can do,” Mr. Asher said, reaching for his wallet. “We can’t give you much money…”

Asa put up his hand. “I don’t want to be paid-it was fun.”

93

Tears welled up in Noelle’s eyes as she wrote. She had not wanted Asa to find out this way. She had wanted to be able to tell him in person, to see his face-then she would know what to do. She chose her words carefully, just as she had rehearsed them so many times in her head. She folded the letter and slipped it into the envelope. On the outside, she wrote his name and then she glanced at the clock-it was 2:35. Noelle shook her head, took the letter out, and read it again. She looked at the door. Why didn’t he come? Slowly, she stood up and walked toward the desk. She winced in pain and clutched the letter more tightly.

94

Asa shook hands with everyone before walking toward the barn door. He looked back. “When’s second cutting?”

Mr. Asher smiled. “ ’Bout a month-if your hands have recovered…”

“Sounds good-see you then!”