Their eyes locked over Beth’s blonde head and all of a sudden Tatum couldn’t help but want to save him.  If the conversation continued down this path, there was no doubt in her head that Beth would get upset and if Beth got upset, there was no telling what she might say or who she might say it to.  “I think maybe we just try not to pull a Wullie but just spread it around that these big feasts may not be the best thing.”  The fact that she used Wullie’s actions as a verb made a smile hint at the corner of her lips.  “I think that people may just be looking for an excuse to gather together during the long winter.  The daylight hours are shorter, it’s colder, a person can feel lonely, especially when it starts to snow.”  Tatum paused briefly, almost seeming like she was thinking, but her eyes met Thomas’s once more as she inclined her head towards him in a hint of a nod.  She would fix this and give Beth something to do all at the same time.  “Why don’t we try to plan some games or activities so people have things to look forward to?”<br/><br/>Beth immediately grabbed onto the suggestion like a drowning person would cling to a life preserver.  “Tay!  That’s a<i>fantastic</i>idea!  We can put on plays or have game nights.  I wonder if we can get people to do a game swap so you’re not always playing the same old games.”  The peppy blonde was off and running, her thoughts and ideas burbling forth like a quick-running stream.<br/><br/>Their feet were not still during this conversation gone wrong that seemed to be back on the right path now.  The trio was strolling away from the church like they had not a care in the world.  After all, now that the world had changed, there was no need to worry about living life by the ticking of a clock.<br/><br/>Beth’s house was the closest to the church out of all three homes.  Tatum was glad to see it growing closer in the dark night.  Even just a few minutes of time spent with Thomas would be nice.  Minutes where they could speak about whatever was on their minds without being concerned with upsetting Beth.  Perhaps he would link arms with her or hold her hand or walk her to her door and kiss her good night.  A flush immediately rose to her cheeks and she was grateful it was so dark.  She couldn’t help feeling like her walking partners could sense her thoughts so she risked quick glances at each of them then hunched her shoulders up near her ears.<br/><br/>“There’s my place!” Beth called out in excitement.  Her feet stopped moving which meant Thomas had to stop moving too.  “Thanks for seeing me home safely, guys.  Maybe we can meet up again in the next few days to plan some fun winter activities?” she asked Thomas and Tatum hopefully, already looking forward to having something to occupy her time.  At the same time, she unlinked her arm from his and leaned in to give Tatum a hug.<br/><br/>The chestnut-haired woman returned the hug, squeezing her friend tightly.  “Have a good night, Beth.  I’ll catch up with you tomorrow or Sunday, okay?”<br/><br/>Beth nodded, flashed Thomas a bright smile, then turned and practically bounced into the house.  Tatum’s suggestion of finding other things to do besides feasting through the winter had given her new energy.  By sunset the following evening, she would have lists and ideas already prepared to share with the community.<br/><br/>“Shall we?” The ex-lawyer nodded slightly down the street in the general direction of her house.  She would not presume to link arms with him uninvited despite how much she wanted to.  It would be so much easier to have a quiet conversation if they could be close together.  Still, not wanting to be chastised for being forward or for inappropriate contact, she kept her hands to herself as she turned to head down the sidewalk.<br/><br/>“Maybe planning fun nights will give Beth something to keep her busy.  It certainly can’t hurt.  This town needs something to look forward to.”  She didn’t say it out loud but she knew he felt that strange dark feeling rippling through the town and its people.  “Knowing Beth, she’ll have you singing and dancing in a play before spring comes.”  A step closer and a gentle nudge with her elbow to his side.  “I really do appreciate you seeing me home.  I don’t want to hear from Carol again about how my behavior is inappropriate.”  Tatum stopped walking, pausing to turn towards him so he could see the gratitude in her eyes.