“What do you think I am? Stupid?” Maureen herself asked from halfway back. “But I promise no sales hype.”

“Just going in there is addictive.”

“Glad to hear that,” Maureen said with a smile and a wave. “If we are too crowded we’ll have to find a bigger place, but we can start there.”

“Great. Now what’s next?” MJ studied her list. “Here. There will be no business meetings; we just show up and get started. We want to keep this as simple as possible.”

“How about a list of names with contact information?”

“Good idea. Now, about the day to meet.”

“Not on Wednesday night, like this one.”

“I know, church night.”

“What about Thursdays?”

Amalia wore her pondering look. “You know, people say they dread Mondays. Perhaps this would be something to look forward to.” She nodded while she spoke. “I know I would.”

“You look forward to everything, O bringer of sunshine,” someone from the back added.

“Ain’t that the truth?” This brought more chuckles.

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” The blue ribbon on Amalia’s floppy hat swayed as she nodded.

“Meant it as one.”

“She makes the best pies,” another added.

“I know. Why, she brought me soup for a whole week when I was down with the flu. Saved my life.”

Amalia rolled her eyes. “It wasn’t that big a deal.”

MJ raised her voice. “Let’s get back to the topic. Amalia suggested Monday nights. Any discussion or other suggestions?”

One woman offered, “I wish we could meet in the morning or afternoon. I don’t like being out after dark in the winter.”

Several assents from around the room.

MJ looked at Roxie. “It’s your meeting now.” And she stepped back.

Roxie stepped forward. “I know driving in the dark is difficult for many of us, but if we meet at Maureen’s shop, evenings would be better. If we meet after she closes, we wouldn’t fill up her parking lot and block out paying customers. Besides, I know some of us work during the day; we aren’t all retired.”

Jeff pointed out, “In the summer, the sun rises in the north and sets in the north. Plenty of daylight. We could meet in the evening all summer and then change to mornings or afternoons when the days get short again.”

“Excellent point!” Roxie said. “Anything we set up tonight can be changed; does anyone object to evenings until, say, September?”

Lots of head shaking, no frowns.

“Good. Let’s agree on a day.” Roxie paused. “Let’s start with the two nights mentioned, Monday and Thursday. Those for Monday, raise your hands.” She counted. Way more than half. “Okay, Thursday.” Monday was obvious.

“Hey, you can’t vote for both.” Roxie stared at one couple.

“Why not, we are good for either.” The two looked at each other and shrugged. “Made sense to us.”

“Whatever.” MJ looked at Anne, who shrugged back at her. That couple had been married so long, they always thought alike, or at least it seemed that way. “Okay, Monday night it is, at least for the time being.”