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Previous chapters of the Vista Falls story:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
How should the story continue? Voting is open on the current chapter!
Last time, as everyone celebrated the engagement of Chief Colbert and Jenny Littlepoole, Rick, Ward, Lucy, Kate, TJ and Delia all agreed that they were happy for the police chief and his bride-to-be—all of them, that is, except Vera. Vera didn’t seem happy for the couple at all. In fact, she seemed downright sour. Her friends speculated that it was Vera’s fear of change that was making her act so grumpily. When Mr. Dinello joined the teens to talk about all of the excitement Vera was quite rude. What did Mr. Dinello do? Here’s what you decided.
Chapter 2
A Ghost of a Chance
Vera shouted. “Why are we even talking about this?”
“We’re just having fun, Vera.” Ward shook his head.
“We’re not ever going to have fun again.” Vera frowned.
“What’s going on?” Mr. Dinello asked. “Vera is everything all right?”
“No.” Vera sighed.
“I see.” Mr. Dinello nodded.
Mr. Dinello looked at the teens sitting at the picnic table. He smiled. “I guess we’re all a little hungry what with all of the excitement this evening.”
“I wouldn’t mind a snack.” Ward nodded, understanding what Mr. Dinello was about to do.
“Hey, Vera.” Mr. Dinello suggested, “I’m going to walk over to the buffet table. Maybe you’d like to come with me and help me carry some plates back for all of us to share.”
“Why would I want to do that?” Vera asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Might be nice for all of us to share some food. That’s all.” Mr. Dinello smiled.
“Can’t Lucy or Ward go with you?” Vera frowned. “This is a new sweater. I don’t want to get horseradish all over it.”
“I’d rather you go, Vera.” Mr. Dinello answered.
“He’s trying to take you aside to talk with you.” Rick shook his head. “Don’t you get it?”
“I know that!” Vera snapped. “Don’t you think after all these years I’m familiar with Mr. Dinello’s little tricks?”
“In that case, why don’t you just walk with me over there and make our lives easier?” Mr. Dinello laughed.
“Oh, fine.” Vera rolled her eyes. “But, I don’t know what you’ll say that will make me change my mind about this whole silly wedding.”
“You never know.” Mr. Dinello laughed again. “Sometimes I’ve been known to make sense.”
“Are you really bringing back food, then?” Rick asked. “Because if you are, I’d like a few of those little cheese puff things.”
“Duly noted.” Mr. Dinello nodded. “Come on, Vera.”
“Fine.” Vera frowned, following Mr. Dinello. “All right, we’re walking to the buffet table. Let’s talk.”
“You first.” Mr. Dinello smiled.
“Ugh!” Vera moaned. “You want me to say why I’m acting the way I’m acting.”
“That would be good.” Mr. Dinello nodded.
“Then, you’ll tell me why I shouldn’t be acting this way.” Vera sniffed.
“Not necessarily.” Mr. Dinello shook his head.
“You’ll just judge me.” Vera rolled her eyes.
“Vera, I’ve known you since you were in elementary school. I’ve stood by your side when you were at your best and at your worst. Have I ever judged you?” Mr. Dinello asked.
“No.” Vera shook her head. “I guess not.”
“Well, then, talk to me. You can talk to me, you know. I’m an art teacher.” Mr. Dinello laughed.
“Okay.” Vera frowned. “I don’t want Chief Colbert to get married.”
“Why not?” Mr. Dinello asked.
“Because.” Vera shook her head. “And, don’t start telling me that everything will still be the same, because it won’t. I don’t know why I feel this way. I just do.”
“Vera, let me tell you about Sam Colbert.” Mr. Dinello began.
“I know all about him. You’ve known Chief Colbert since you two were kids. You didn’t get along at first, but you became the best of friends and have been like brothers for a really long time. We all know all of that.” Vera rolled her eyes again.
“And, you know that when Sam’s first wife died, I was there with him. You know I watched him cry at her funeral. You know that I saw the spark of joy and happiness leave my best friend’s eyes. I never thought he’d get it back. But, it came back slowly—over the years. But, now, Vera, now it’s brighter than ever before.” Mr. Dinello said.
“All because of Jenny Littlepoole?” Vera asked.
“Not exactly.” Mr. Dinello shook his head. “Because now he has hope.”
“Didn’t he find hope and happiness with us?” Vera asked. “Wasn’t being friends with all of us enough?”
“It helped.” Mr. Dinello nodded. “But, now, his life is really complete. And, isn’t that what we want for our friends?”
“That’s what Ward asked me.” Vera sighed.
“He had a good point.” Mr. Dinello said softly.
“But, everything will change. You know that better than anyone. Your life will change most of all.” Vera argued.
“Yes. That’s true. I’ve grown accustomed to spending most of my time with my best friend. I’ll have to make adjustments. But, I will—happily—because that’s what’s best for him. To see him happy makes me happy. Will I miss the way things were? Yes. But, I’ll look forward to seeing the way things will be.” Mr. Dinello explained.
“You really mean that?” Vera asked.
“I really do.” Mr. Dinello answered honestly.
“Vera, when you care about someone, you have to give them the space and freedom they need to be happy. You have to let them make decisions on their own. Sure, if you see they’re taking a route that might not be healthy, then you can say something. But, people need to follow their own path. And, those of us that love them, need to be supportive and unselfish.” Mr. Dinello said. “You remember Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians?”
“Chapter thirteen,” Vera nodded, “Love never fails.”
“It’s true.” Mr. Dinello nodded.
“I guess so.” Vera smiled.
Mr. Dinello laughed.
“Darn! Why do you always have to make sense?” Vera asked playfully.
“It’s my job.” Mr. Dinello chuckled. “Now, come on, let’s go get some food for the others.”
As they walked toward the buffet table, Vera stopped as if frozen in her tracks.
Mr. Dinello turned to look at her. “What’s the matter Vera? You look as if you just saw a ghost.”
“I think I just did.” Vera said, her voice shaking.
What should Mr. Dinello do?
Voting results for how the story continues:
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