#rivervale_lodge

"I'm sure." Frank says firmly "She won't forget me, or the associations she has, in the near future. I couldn't get her to accept even the smallest token from me. No. I'm tainted for her, now."

He frowns "And blurring her memory this soon after her trauma might do more harm. " He nods "I'll see what I can do"

"Mm." Frank puts her phone on the table "Say you found it somewhere. Maybe near the house. You might be able to get her talking, get closer, if you are returning it."

He takes it, "I can't rush this, do you think Blinkum minds watching her for a whole day?"

"Mm. You could ask." Frank nods "Blinkum is very agreeable, I've found."

"Well, you're his 'boss boss' not me, but I'll ask" A nod "I worry two strangers in a day might be a bit much" A sip "You realize you probably saved her life. Another few days with that thing and she'd have been driven to suicide and it would have fed on the least hurrah"

"It tried to kill her." Frank tells that part of the story.

A nod "Then it's still best you showed up, even if it.. didn't go perfectly." A sip. They have a corner table to themselves

"Can I get help on this? " He adds "I think a woman with me might help"

"Whatever you feel best." Frank agrees.

"Sally Mae I think. " A nod "I am biased, but she's personable "

"You may be, yes, but she -is- personable." Frank clears his throat "Don't mention St. Jude's. Just Good Samaritans."

"Will do" He nods "And, Brother to Brother? Of the Fraternity? This wasn't your fault or even your failing. "

"Mm. Thank you, sir."

A sip of his coffee, and he frowns "This is a bit weak compared to the Lodge's"

His beard moves "Consider the source."

"Ah, fair point. Guess I've been condition" A bit of a smile

"All that free coffee at the C-Mart." Frank agrees.

an actual chuckle

"Well, I suppose we best go. Unless you wanted to unwind here a bit longer?"

"No." he slides the phone over to Carowyn "Thank you, sir."

Carowyn takes it, "All for the Cause" A nod and he rises

Frank rises as well; his coffee is consumed. "To and for the Oak."

A nod, and both men head out.

Frank considers what's left of his patrol.

About a fourth of it left, technically

He carries on.

The rest of the trip is uneventful

he meets a few folks who nod or wave. Others ignore him. But no great threats

Frank completes his patrol, and goes into Rivervale.

And waiting for him is... Gerd. "Sally Mae and Sir Carowyn are talking. Coffee or Cider? he said you might want the real stuff"

"Cider is best. Thank you."

"Yes sir" She gets him one "Everything okay? You're hard to read but you seem a bit down"

"All is well, thank you."

"I think I'd like a bit of a rest. Pardon me."

"Okay" She says "I had quite the adventure myself and.. oh"

A nod "Okay"

Frank stops " Would you like to tell me?"

"It's not important, it can wait" She answers "I Just .. I did a good thing and I'm kind of on a high about it"

And she heads back to the kitchen\

Leaving Frank time to rest

(End Scene)