When she entered the house through the kitchen door she could hear Mike talking with Dennis in the living-room. She thought about detouring through the vestibule and down the hall but Mike called out to her. She entered the room saying, "Not now, Mike, I just want a lot of aspirin and to be left alone."
Mike studied her. "Uh oh. Bad committee meeting?"
Michelle rubbed her forehead. "They've decided to combine the fund raising events for the hospital, police department and fire department again."
Mike shook his head slightly. "Oh, no."
Michelle nodded. "Oh, yes. And don't you know Dr. Brackett has already suggested a wild west show theme to the committee. If I can't come up with an idea by next meeting that's what they're going to go with... and you know what that means?"
Mike smirked. "Lots of aspirin." Then he looked at her sympathetically. "Maybe you should go lie down for a while. Do you want some tea or anything?"
Michelle shook her head again. "No. But lying down sounds good." She started out of the room then turned back briefly to acknowledge Dennis. A few moments later they heard the bedroom door close.
Dennis leaned back. "Wow, I've never seen her get so tense over a show."
"I have," Mike admitted. "It was the last time it was decided to combine the three fund raising events into one. " He paused to reflect. "We weren't even married yet. And it was really a timing fluke. See we had this interim captain. They brought him in from another county to replace Capt. Hammer for several months. I guess if it hadn't been for that the situation would have been a lot less stressful...."
****Spring 1972****
Mike Stoker entered the Fundraising co-op building. He was greeted by the receptionist Danielle and he asked, "Where's Michelle?"
Danielle replied rather nonchalantly, "In her office crying."
Mike repeated, "In her office...crying?" He moved quickly down the hall. He entered Michelle's office to find her at her desk, her face buried in her hands. He reached out and touched her arm.
Michelle lifted her head and as though she was not crying at all said, "Mike, what are you doing here?"
Mike sat on her desk. "Well, I had wanted to surprise you and take you to lunch...but I'm glad I'm here. Hey, what is it?" He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and offered it too her.
Michelle accepted it and wiped her eyes and snuffled a bit. "It's silly actually. I just got so frustrated... I just...."
Mike ran his hand over her hair. "If it's got you this upset it's not silly."
Michelle gave a slight chuckle at his understanding. "Thanks," she said.
Mike sat up. "So are you going to tell me about it or do I wait for Danielle's version?"
Michelle sat back. "Well, you know we've been working with the county fundraising committee...."
Mike nodded. "Yeah, the hospital, police and fire departments are combining for one major event this year. They decided on a rodeo or something."
Michelle looked at him intently. "Not 'or something'. Dr. Brackett's wild west show concept took center stage with the committee which in itself isn't the problem." She took a breath. "See apparently, this is really Dr. Brackett's dream show and he has been bugging me nonstop about getting to be the host master, you know riding in on the lead horse for the parade, getting to introduce the other acts and do rope tricks in between. And I'm not even the one making the selection. I'm just running the auditions..." She stopped to look at the clock on her wall. "Which, by the way, start in an hour."
"So I guess going to lunch is out?"
"Sorry."
Mike rose from the desk. "Why don't I go pick us up something? You'll need some sustenance. "
"Sounds fine."
Mike disappeared out the door.
By the time he returned with Chinese carry out the parking lot was overflowing with cars. The second floor of the building which was a giant auditorium was crowded with off duty policemen, firemen and hospital staff, most dressed in western character attire. A long table had been set up along one side of the room to seat the committee. Michelle was seated at a table on the opposite side of the room. Mike approached her with the bag. "Sorry it took so long. Want to wait on this?"
"I think I'd better. But you can go downstairs and eat if you like."
Mike pulled up a chair beside her. "I think I'll stay, give you some moral support. We can heat this up later" He glanced around the room. "Looks like 'Talent Roundup Day' on "The Mickey Mouse Club", he observed. He was pleased when Michelle laughed. Mike took in the people who had gathered, then spotted a familiar face. "Hey, Cap!" He waved the tall man over.
The Captain approached. Mike stood to shake his hand. "Don't tell me you're auditioning here."
The captain nodded. "To tell the truth I usually don't participate in stuff like this. I like to leave it to the folks who know how. But my wife thought this would be right up my alley. I was raised on a ranch, you know."
Mike reacted. "No. I didn't. Oh, Cap, I'd like you to meet Michelle..." Michelle rose. "My girlfriend." For some reason he felt the need to clarify.
Michelle outstretched her hand to the man who was giving her a funny look. "Good gosh, they were right."
Michelle gave him a strange look. "I beg your pardon."
"Never mind. Nice to meet you." He turned back to Mike. "My wife figured I'd make a great host for this thing. I'm a pretty good rider, pretty fair with a rope too. I suppose I am a natural."
As he spoke Dr. Brackett neared. He stopped behind and to the right of the captain and folded his arms. "I wouldn't bet on that."
The captain turned in the direction of the voice as Michelle attempted an introduction. "Doc, this is...."
Kel gave the tall man a stare. "I know who this is. And you're not hosting this show. I am."
"What makes you say that?"
"Well, the wild west show concept was my idea..."
"And how does that automatically make you the host? I figure I've got just as good a chance as you... maybe better."
Brackett's eyebrows knitted. "Now, look Slim," he began in a condescending tone.
"Guys!" Michelle jumped in suddenly. This was the very thing that had stressed her to tears only a few hours earlier. "The committee hasn't even begun to make a decision." She tore a piece of paper from her clipboard and handed it to the captain. "Here. You can go interview with them right now." He accepted the paper and walked away. She sat back down giving a tired sort of sigh. Mike sat beside her and rubbed her right shoulder.
Dr. Brackett's eyes followed the captain to the committee table. He turned back to Michelle. "Can't you go over there and put in a good word for me?"
Michelle looked up. "Why don't you go put in your own good word."
Dr. Brackett suddenly became pensive. "Look, I never told anyone this...."
Michelle rolled her eyes. Oh, great, he's going to bare his soul.
Kel sat in a chair opposite Mike and Michelle and continued, "I didn't always want to be a doctor..."
Michelle sighed. "Really?" she asked in a tired way.
"I know that's what everyone thinks but, well, at one time what I really wanted was to be a cowboy..."
"Along with every other six-year-old," Mike interrupted with a chuckle. Michelle covered her mouth with her hand as she smirked.
Kel became slightly indignant. "It happened to be while I was in college. Believe me it was a tough decision. I almost went into veterinary medicine so I could work in a ranch setting. Well, I don't know. I guess I thought it wasn't practical... and I love being a doctor, mind you. It's just a part of me still wants to be that cowboy and, well, this is my opportunity. You can understand that, can't you?"
Michelle inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. "What I understand is that I'm glad you're a doctor."
"Really? Why?"
"Because you can prescribe me something for this headache you're giving me." She tore a sheet from her clipboard, handed it to him and instructed, "Here go do an interview like everyone else who wants to host this thing."
Kel snatched the paper from her. "Yeah, well, thanks for nothing."
"You're welcome."
It was one of the longer afternoons on record but as it finally wound down the committee chair beckoned Michelle to their table.
"We actually prefer that tall fire captain," the chair explained. "Reminds us a lot of Howard Keel in "Annie Get Your Gun". He completely fits the image we had of the person who would ride the lead horse in the parade..."
"But..." Michelle questioned.
"Well, I suppose we do feel a certain gratitude to Dr. Brackett for coming up with the idea to begin and he does have the qualifications."
"So..."
"So, we've decided they can co host."
"And what does that have to do with me."
"You get to tell them. We are counting on you to get Dr. Brackett to be agreeable."
"Swell." Michelle walked from the committee table. The two contenders must've sensed a decision for they both approached her.
"Well," Dr. Brackett demanded.
"The committee wants the two of you to co-host," Michelle stated flatly.
The Captain grinned. "I'm for that."
Kel wasn't so happy. "You would be. Look, why can't they just pick one of us and be done with it?"
Michelle was tempted to be completely up front and tell the good doctor that if that were the case they were going to choose the fire captain if only because he reminded them of the lead in "Annie Get Your Gun". Instead she spoke as firmly as she ever had, "You either co-host with the captain or you don't host at all. What's your pleasure?"
"This is ridiculous."
Michelle repeated, "You either co-host with the captain or you don't host at all. Now What's your pleasure?"
Dr. Brackett grumbled a bit but relented. "I'll co-host."
Michelle raised a triumphant fist. "Perfect!" She walked away to report to the chair.
The captain grinned. "Well, look at it this way, doc. Co-hosting will give it a real western feel."
"And how's that?"
"We'll get to be pardners."
****Present day****
Dennis shook his head. "I can see why she doesn't want to go through all that again. But you said that captain was out of the county."
Mike leaned forward. "True. But there will always be someone else who would want the host role. I wish we had another idea for the committee."
Dennis shifted. "How about the Beach Boys?"
Mike met his gaze. "Are you serious?"
"I'm damn serious. We do several benefits a year. You know that."
Mike leaped to his feet. "Dennis, I love you!" He then went to the vestibule, yelled down the hall for his wife, then returned to where Dennis was sitting.
Michelle entered the room. "What? What is it?"
Mike took her by the arms. "How would you like to have a great idea for the committee?"
"I'd love one. But I don't have one."
Mike smiled. "Yes you do." He paused to glance back at Dennis. "How about the Beach Boys?"
Michelle's eyes went wide. "Are you serious?"
Dennis rose. "Absolutely."
Michelle's whole face lit up. "Dennis, I love you."
Dennis grinned. "That seems to be the consensus."
*******
The committee chair raised her gavel. "All those in favor of the Beach Boys please raise your right hands. That's eleven. Those opposed? One. Motion to have the Beach Boys for the combined fundraiser is passed." She tapped her gavel on the table. "And this meeting is adjourned."
As everyone was filing from the meeting room Michelle paused by the lone hold out. "Sorry, Dr. Brackett, it's not going to be a western."