Beth was predictable.  She was the kind of woman who was more than happy to revisit old stories and tell them over and over again, always changing them just enough in their emphasis that the story felt new.  Loise’s sordid story was abandoned as it always was, everyone left unsure if the baby was Pierre’s or Patrick’s.  Poor Marie and her divorce were the next topics, an event that had actually taken place before It happened.  The horrible ex-husband had disappeared, supposedly to head off into the City to find work, leaving Marie and her children alone.  The small group lamented her lack of a man to protect the family but ultimately decided that it would be difficult to have to raise another man’s children.<br/><br/>Tatum gave up on even trying to follow the conversation the second Thomas leaned closer.  She was all of a sudden quite aware of how close he was.  The exhale of his first sigh brought a wave of goosebumps blooming along the back of her neck.  There was an undercurrent of exasperation with Wullie in what he was saying.  She wanted to nod, to agree, to show she<i>knew</i>what he was saying but to move might mean drawing Carol’s ever-vigilant eagle eyes their way so she held still and simply listened.  His smile was felt rather than seen, the warmth of it radiating against her cheek.<br/><br/>Tatum could imagine the mayor trying to slip under his desk to escape the wrath of Wullie and it was all she could do not to laugh.  He was tall and thin, physically not an imposing figure.  It was the strength of his convictions that made him a formidable foe to the rulers of this small little town hidden away in the wilderness.  “Oh, did he really make the mayor hide?”  She managed to whisper the question before her companion sat back, leaving the air cooler between them.  It was odd how she missed the warmth once it was gone.<br/><br/>“Everybody knows him and that’s the problem.  How much longer do you think he’ll be allowed to do what he wants and say what he wants?  Can’t you feel it?  Things are changing…” She spoke in hushed harsh whispers, trying to get the words out before anyone noticed they were having their own conversation and pulled them back into inane chatter.  She wished they weren’t having this conversation in the church basement.  This was the kind of conversation best had around a fire pit with a strong alcoholic beverage for accompaniment.  Back in the days of Before, it would have been simple enough to invite the man to her house to continue their talk but now, having a man at her house after sunset would be frowned upon to an extreme degree and would earn her a visit from the Three to remind her of a woman’s proper place.<i>Soon enough, they’ll be arranging marriages and demanding dowries,</i>she thought bitterly.<br/><br/>There were so many questions she wanted to ask, so many topics she wanted to discuss but before she could formulate questions veiled enough to avoid eavesdropping ears, Beth squealed and reached over to grab Tatum’s thigh.  “Tay!  Do you remember when we did that song at school?  That little showcase where they had a bunch of us perform?  Remember William did that stupid magic show and his rabbit wouldn’t stay in his hat?  Robert had his puppets?  Remember?”  Beth was beyond excited yet and was squeezing her friend’s thigh tighter and tighter the more she spoke.<br/><br/>“I remember, I remember,” she assured the blonde as she reached down to release the grip on her leg.  “We had our moms make us those black outfits with the sequins.  We thought we were the next big musical act.”  A little laugh escaped her as she thought back all those years ago to the young girls who had no idea what their future held.<br/><br/>“Come on!  Let’s do our song!  Please…?” Beth was already on her feet and trying to pull Tatum to her feet so they could perform for the room full of people.<br/><br/>“Are you serious?  We can’t do that.”  Her eyes darted towards Carol to judge her reaction but despite pursed lips, the older woman remained silent.<br/><br/>“Yes, we can!”  With one decisive tug, she pulled Tatum to her feet and into the center of the circle.<br/><br/>She sighed but gave in to her friend’s demands reluctantly.  Her eyes darted to Thomas, shooting him an unspoken warning not to laugh.<br/><br/>There was no music to accompany them and after a brief look between them, Beth counted them down from three and like they had been practicing every week for years, the women burst into song - “Stop in the Name of Love” by the Supremes.  That classic song that little girls love to perform in school showcases and talent shows.  Their version came complete with requisite ‘stop’ hand motions and shimmies and shakes.<br/><br/>By the time the song came to an end, which was really when they forgot the words and were just repeating themselves, half of their audience was singing along and the other half was laughing.  With them, not at them.<br/><br/>“Thank you, ladies.  That was definitely…entertaining.  Our evening together must come to an end now, I’m afraid.  The sun is beginning to set and as always, we want you safe at home before the Darkness sets in.”  Carol paused, looking around the room and making eye contact with several people as her eyes traveled.  “Gentlemen, if you plan to escort a lady home, please remember to ensure she is safely behind closed doors before you take your leave and remember to be appropriate with your interactions.  Ladies, if a young man does not choose to escort you home, please travel in pairs for as far as you are able.”  Warnings given, Carol sat back down to wait until the crowd had dispersed.  Her husband would be along later to take her home.<br/><br/>Tatum’s cheeks were flushed as she returned to their seats.  “Well, I hope you enjoyed that little show,” she spoke to Thomas, laughing a little.  It was silly and she had been annoyed with Beth for making her get up in front of everyone but it<i>had</i>been fun.  “Will you let me know what happens with Wullie?”  There was no expectation for an offer to escort her home but she did want to converse with him again.  He was one of the only people in this town she felt she could have an honest conversation with.<br/><br/>A stray piece of hair was tucked behind her ear as she waited for him to stand up so they could head to the coat hooks to bundle up before venturing out into the chilly evening air.