Jane and the Fire – Part VII

In 1958, young Jane has just moved to the city of Chicago, Illinois with her parents and cousins Billy. Jane follows elusive Mr. Bennet and esoteric Mr. Peele into a grove and hears about a suspicious rendezvous at The Hungry Eagle coffee shop. She manages to get out of the grove safely but is horrified when Mr. Bennet approaches her family in the park. Does he know that her striped stockings are what he mistook for a raccoon’s tail?

“Why, look!” says Mr. Joyce brightly, “It’s our neighbor, Mr. Bennet. Hello, Mr. Bennet, how are you?” He waves at Mr. Bennet before Jane can stop him. Mr. Bennet walks over, staring with a suspicious eye at Jane’s stripey stockings.

Oh no, Jane thinks with a shiver, He’ll know I followed him!

Fortunately, she is wearing a smocked grey frock that reaches past her knees. She tucks her legs under her frock and hopes to goodness that he, Mr. Bennet, doesn’t notice anything out of the ordinary. He has arrived by now and stands by as stoic and emotionless as an ancient Roman marble bust. Mr. Joyce is bright and cheerful and talks about the weather, the local government, and the antics of the Billies. Mr. Bennet makes occasional noises of assent. Jane’s skin is crawling. Does he know that she followed him, or not? Mr. Bennet cuts Mr. Joyce off rudely, in the middle of a sentence, at that very moment.

He looks at Jane. “And this is your daughter?”

“Oh, yes,” says Mr. Bennet happily, “Jane, say hello to Mr. Bennet.”

“Hello Mr. Bennet how do you do,” says Jane. She sounds like a sick robot, and winces.

“How do you do?” replies Mr. Bennet. He looks suspicious, but not gleeful. Yet. “And how are you liking your new home so far?”

“It is very nice,” says Jane. Or it would be, if you could walk away.

“Hmph,” says Mr. Bennet. He frowns. “You know, something about you is rather familiar, young Jane. I haven’t met you elsewhere?”

“Oh,” intervenes Mr. Joyce, “You must have! Jane and I buy breakfast at The Hungry Eagle most days, and we often see you there.”

“Oh,” says Mr. Bennet. He looks relieved. “Hmph. So long as that’s it.” Mr. Bennet’s relief at evidently not being followed is nothing compared to Jane’s joy that he, Mr. Bennet, is mollified. It seems that she is in the clear. She mentally thanks her father for the quick save. Mr. Bennet turns back to Mr. Joyce.

“It was nice to see you, Vince,” says Mr. Joyce politely, “Please feel free to drop by for tea anytime, we’re right next door.” The gratitude Jane feels to him evaporates. “Yes, please drop by. I’m beginning work on a…”

“Goodbye,” interrupts Mr. Bennet very rudely. He storms away, scattering sparrows.

“Seems rather unpleasant,” says Mr. Joyce apologetically to the children, “But one must be polite.” The younger Billy is bored now and begins running down the park path. Jane catches him and they all start for home. Jane’s mind is on the mystery at hand.

The Hungry Eagle, she mused. Good thing tomorrow is a Saturday. I’m going to The Hungry Eagle to find out what those people are up to.

Curious about the fishy business going on? Will Jane find out what Mr. Bennet is planning? Send your feedback to editorjaanu@gmail.com!