The Tapestry in the Attic by Mary O'Donnell

that. Perhaps we could set it up so it’s only onstage during the actual performances—that would only be a few hours.” Alice’s expression was hopeful, and Annie hated to say no.
    “We’ll see. I just want to be sure that nothing happens to it,” said Annie.
    ****
    The following Saturday, just before closing time, all of the ladies of the Hook and Needle Club, bundled up in their winter garbs, gathered at A Stitch in Time. Mary Beth was there too, even though she had had her biopsy the day before. Gwen had gone with her to provide moral support, driving Mary Beth to Portland, where her oncologist’s office was located. The doctor had told Mary Beth that he would be sending her tissue samples to a lab for testing.
    “The doctor told me that the results wouldn’t be available for at least two or three weeks,” said Mary Beth. “So I’ll have to wait and see if the lump is malignant, or not.”
    “Are you sure you feel well enough to come to the meeting with Jacob and Professor Howell?” asked Stella.
    “Yes, I’m sure; I’m only a little sore. I actually had a nap this afternoon since Kate and Vanessa ran the store today.” Mary Beth looked at Kate and Vanessa with a smile. “Thanks for that, girls. I probably could have worked if I had to, but it was nice to have a bit of time to just relax.”
    Annie was glad to see that since they had spoken that evening at Grey Gables, Mary Beth seemed to be less introverted and was more like her old self.
    When it was nearly time for the meeting at the Cultural Center to begin, they went outside the store, waiting for Kate as she locked the door. Then she gave her daughter a quick hug, arranging to meet her at the library after the meeting.
    En masse the Hook and Needle Club members crossed Main Street and walked to the Cultural Center. The building that housed the museum and new theater, at four stories, was one of the tallest buildings in Stony Point. It had once been a successful dry-goods store known as “Walker’s.”
    The glass entry doors weren’t locked since the museum was still open. There were a few people milling around, looking over an exhibit of pottery which included some work of local artisans. Stella stopped for a moment to speak to Bill Witherell, one of the volunteers on duty, and then the ladies made their way to the elevator to take them to the fourth floor where the conference room was located.
    The Hook and Needle Club ladies bunched into the elevator. Just as the doors were closing, Ian Butler, the mayor of Stony Point, shouted, “Hold the door, ladies!” as he dashed toward the elevator.
    Ian Butler was tall and ruggedly handsome with short-cropped hair that was graying at the temples. The corners of his chocolate brown eyes crinkled when he smiled, which was often. He and Annie had been out on friendly dates a few times, but Annie wasn’t ready for anything romantic—at least not yet—so they had kept their outings low key, though it was obvious to everyone that Ian would be happy with something more serious.
    Like Annie’s husband, Ian’s wife, Arianna, had died unexpectedly, leaving him grief-stricken. But Ian was at a different stage of grief than Annie, having had much more time to work through his emotions. Though he would never forget Arianna, he knew he had to put those memories of their life together in their proper place to be able to move on. He still struggled with it at times, but he didn’t want to live the rest of his days on earth alone.
    Now, he had managed to stand next to Annie in the elevator, but he addressed them all. “How is everyone today?”
    Stella answered for the group. “We’re fine, Mayor Butler. I’m glad you could make it.” Stella hadn’t mentioned to the others that she had invited Ian; Annie wondered who else might be sitting in on the meeting.
    As the others chatted, Ian leaned over toward Annie and said in a low voice, “Are you ready for this? I met Professor Howell last week. He’s