This is the third chapter in our fictitious story called Secrets Under The Sizzle set in Treeville Ohio. Did you miss the previous chapters? You can find them here.
Every Sunday morning, the sisters embark on a leisurely stroll through a nearby park, engaging in lively discussions about their restaurant. They relish this time away from their husbands, who prefer to sleep in on Sundays. As they meandered through the park, the sisters were serenaded by the gentle symphony of nature, which enveloped them in a peaceful ambiance. The soothing sounds inspired them with ideas for staffing their restaurant. Marsha sported black yoga pants from YogaSix and a lime green comfortable top from Blossom ‘N Bows, while Taylor chose one of her favorite dance outfits from Footnotes Dance Center.
Today, their primary focus was finding a new sous chef. Marsha expressed her bewilderment, acknowledging that Marco had vanished without a trace. Taylor chimed in, echoing Marsha’s sentiments and noting that it was unusual for Marco to leave without saying a word. Concerned, Marsha mentioned that Mandy, who seemed distraught, had not heard from him either, fueling fears that something might have happened. Acting as the general manager, Taylor suggested spreading the word about the job opening through their professional networks, and Marsha reluctantly agreed. In the meantime, they decided that Kerry, the line chef, would temporarily fill the void.
Optimistically, Marsha added, “Who knows, maybe Marco will come back.” Prompting further speculation, Taylor recalled the sudden departure of executive chef Butch years ago, never to return. The possibility of a connection between the two incidents lingered in their thoughts.
Taylor then brought up an observation about their husbands’ recent odd behavior. Marsha concurred, sensing that they were hiding something. Taylor elaborated, mentioning their unexpected bowling excursion at Roseland Lanes, an activity they hadn’t pursued in years.
Shifting gears, the sisters turned their attention to organizing their participation in the upcoming Treeville Harvest Festival, scheduled to take place in just a month’s time. This annual event is steeped in nostalgia, featuring sack races, a hula hoop contest, hayrides, and even a scarecrow building competition. So So Artsy had big plans this year: they were preparing to create a captivating mural to commemorate the event’s 50th anniversary. As they reminisced about their youthful enthusiasm for the festivities, they now found themselves playing a different role on the festival’s planning committee, dedicated to ensuring its success. This year presented additional challenges due to changes such as acquiring more permits and implementing enhanced security measures.
Meanwhile, the Treeville town council remained engrossed in animated discussions around the growing annual event. While some advocated for more musical acts, diverse culinary options, and the inclusion of carnival rides, some would like to keep it smaller, quieter and more old fashioned. These tensions often escalate during council meetings, with certain audience members voicing disruptive comments. In fact, some even resort to heckling the council members, injecting a charged atmosphere into the council chambers.
The intense conversations also spill over onto a local Facebook group known as Treeville Babble, where passionate discussions continue to unfold, often necessitating intervention from the group administrators.
In their formative years, the sisters found solace in the vibrant ambiance of Treeville, spending countless hours assisting their father at his restaurant. Born in the quaint holler of Lily Well, just beyond the West Virginia border, the sisters held a deep affection for the peaceful valley. Unfortunately, their idyllic childhood was marred by tragedy when their beloved mother passed away when Taylor was only five and Marsha was six. This traumatic loss prompted them to make a life-altering decision – to uproot themselves and settle in Treeville. Their father’s venture into the restaurant business became a significant turning point in their shared journey.
The sisters seldom broach the topic of their mother, as the memories surrounding that time remain shrouded in trauma. In fact, they recollect very little about that period in their lives. Instead, they pour their energy into nurturing their tight-knit bond and ensuring the success and continuity of The Steak Place.
Read on. Chapter 4 is here.
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.