The Big Cat Nap

administrative offices of the church and strolled across the verdant lawn.
    “He’s got to lose weight.”
Cazenovia shook her head.
    “Good luck.”
Lucy Fur’s whiskers drooped for a moment.
“That man loves to eat. He can sit down and eat a quart of ice cream.”
    “He’s a big man.”
Tucker gallantly defended the beloved pastor.
    “He doesn’t have to be that big,”
Elocution said.
    “Look at these beautiful roses.” Reverend Jones swept his hand toward the gardeners as opposed to the roses.
    Miranda smiled. “That honeyed tongue, but I do like to hear it.” The others agreed.
    Harry said, “We’ll get this done today and then put the hydrangeas in tomorrow so there will be color for the Flag Day celebration. Actually, as you know, June 14 is tomorrow, but we have to honor the flag on the weekend. It’s the only way St. Luke’s can make it work for everybody.”
    “It will be beautiful.”
    “If Flag Day were later, all those fabulous crepe myrtles lining the drive into the church would be in full bloom,” BoomBoom noted.
    “We’ll think of another party for July.” Herb smiled.
    “Did Craig Newby get the flags?” Susan asked about their fellow vestry-board member.
    A broad smile filled Reverend Jones’s handsome face. “He found every flag we’ve ever had, starting with Old Glory. Big ones that he’s going to hang off the roofs all around the inner quad. He swears he can do this without harming the gutters. It should look sensational. And, of course, he bought flags on sticks for every attendee. The flags for the graveyard for those who have fought in our wars are provided by the DAR and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. As you know, our parishioners who belong to those organizations knock themselves out.”
    “It is impressive.” Miranda nodded. “And let’s not forget the Confederate veterans.”
    “They’ll have their flags, too.” Then Reverend Jones focused onHarry and Susan. “Latigo says he’ll give me eight thousand dollars for my old truck. Victor told me that, yes, he could get it running again but given its age I should just go with a total loss. Latigo arranged it. I guess when you’re the president of a big insurance company, you can do anything. Eight thousand dollars is a lot more than it’s worth.”
    “Preacher’s price.” Alicia stood up, dusting off her gloves.
    “Special interest for good works,” Harry teased him.
    “You all should get deals, then, with all you’re doing. And, Harry, you said you’d come back Friday and mow, so everything will be perfect for Saturday.”
    “I’ll be here with my magic zero-turn mower.”
    “So what are you going to buy?” BoomBoom wanted to talk trucks.
    “Something big enough so you all can haul more plants.” He laughed.
    “Come on.” BoomBoom smiled and winked at him. “What do you want?”
    “Well, now, I have to take this slow. Check around, check what I can pay per month. I like the new Dodge. Really like the interior. I don’t know. You girls can help me when things settle down.”
    Susan watched as the cats leapt off the wall to chase butterflies and one another. “When do things ever settle down in Crozet?”

S aturday, cool at 6:00 A.M. , promised to turn up the heat and humidity as the hours wore on. Rising at her usual 5:00 A.M . in the summer, Harry patted herself on the back for mowing and weed-whacking at St. Luke’s yesterday morning, as the day was cooler.
    After drinking her first cup of coffee and feeding Mrs. Murphy, Pewter, and Tucker, she returned to the bedroom. Fair, on his side, head nestled in a goose-down pillow, remained sound asleep.
    “Poor guy,” she whispered to herself.
    He’d gotten a midnight call from a frantic horse owner. The big expensive dressage mare she’d purchased a month ago was colicking. He finally got back home at 2:00 A.M . She heard him take a shower. When he crawled into bed, she’d rolled over and he told her all was well.
    Tucker, always wanting to be beside Harry, said,
“He’ll be awake in a little while.”
    Harry looked down at the small dog she loved so much and smiled. Although she hadn’t a clue as to Tucker’s prediction, she knelt down, kissed her friend, then returned to the kitchen.
    Tucker really did know when Fair would awaken. As Fair’s skin cooled down or heated up, the dog detected changes in his scent. No matter the season, Fair usually woke up sweating slightly.
    “How come you got the beef?”
Pewter paid no