The Colonel
Copyright© 2026 by happyhugo
Chapter 10
The Colonel asked Maggie to have the repast immediately after the funeral, and she agreed. She had been planning how to prepare the tables for the guests for a few days. There was to be a half-hour break while Maggie’s crew came in placing salt and pepper, utensils, napkins, and butter dishes on the tables, along with small plates for the guests to place their sandwiches on.
Maggie would have three carts pushed out of the central kitchen holding kettles of chicken gravy and baskets of fresh biscuits. A server would take one empty soup plate from a stack on the cart, and another would place two baking powder biscuits on the plate. Maggie would then ladle the chicken gravy liberally over the biscuits. The server would then put the plate in front of the guest. Maggie would do this if four guests sat at the table before moving on to the next table. Another server followed with another cart on a plate with wrapped sandwiches of various fillings.
Maggie would have two more carts with servers like hers working in from the edges of the seated guests. “Maggie, are you all set for the repast tomorrow?”
“I am, Jim. We don’t know how many people will stay for the meal, but it won’t matter. I’m counting on about sixty, and it won’t take more than fifteen minutes to put the food in front of them. If I see more, I’ll have burgers ready to feed another twenty. I know our town, and I’ve been good at guessing how many will show up.
“I suspect the guests will come more to see what you are building here. Brad hasn’t been hanging around town much since he shaped up and paid more attention to Bonny. I feel sad for her. She is fairly young, and losing her husband the way she has is a terrible hit for anyone.”
“I know. The Colonel has pulled all of us together to honor Bradley. I was surprised that Molly had become fast friends with Bonny.”
“I wasn’t. Molly would have married Brad if he had stopped drinking when he gave it up, as he did for Bonny. It was a surprise to everyone. That was when you hired Brad to work for you and Molly.”
“I think it was James, the Colonel, who hired him.”
I turned away and headed across the room, leaving Maggie standing there. Maggie said loud enough to be heard. “You’re full of bullshit, Jimmy. I’ve got a long memory, and I don’t forget things. I know you better than anyone else does. I know you have a big heart, Jimmy, but you don’t let everyone in. I don’t think you will be entirely happy until you meet that person.”
Maggie walked closer to me again. “Jimmy, what will you do after you finish this monstrous house? You had better latch onto someone. I can’t see you sitting on a balcony staring at a bunch of horses for the rest of your life. You’ve been doing good deeds for everyone; it’s time you began thinking of yourself.”
I had been walking toward the elevator. I turned and said, “We are a lot alike, Maggie. I’m aware of your good deeds. You’ve been doing them for years. You’ve been cleaning up after your sister, Tessie, and about your niece, Molly. You have cared for James, the Third. You watched over him, and your doings convinced me to come down from the North Country, accept a run-down old horse farm, and mix in with people who are very different from me. Maggie, I could use a hug.”
Seventeen people were at the Commital Service, not counting the two extra Bearers: Walter Kingston, Molly, Alice Childs, and me. The funeral director supplied two bearers, and I filled out the compliment. We moved the casket from the hearse and placed it over the empty grave. It was a short ceremony. Gertrude Mims, the Minister, recited the 23 Psalms, and the attendees said the words along with her if they knew them. Mike played “Blessed Assurance” on the accordion, and Jenny sang the hymn. The small congregation repeated the Lord’s Prayer.
Gertrude ended the service with Mike singing the very suitable hymn ‘Fallen Leaves,’ accompanied by Jenny on the mandolin. “This hymn relates how the people who lived and worked with Bradley Kendal felt about him in the last years of his life here on earth. May his soul rise to heaven and find a welcome there. Amen.”
Gertrude took a rose from the spray and laid it on the casket. Others did the same, and Gertrude thanked everyone who came. As they were leaving, she reminded the people of the time of the funeral at one o’clock this afternoon.
People were slow to get to their vehicles. Most hugged Bonny and expressed condolences. It was a surprise when a cab pulled in at the end of the line of cars. A woman alone got out. She had her purse out, and when the cabby retrieved her suitcase from the rear, she was waiting to pay him.
She turned to the people and asked, “Was this Bradley Kendal’s commitment service? I seem to be late in arriving.”
Gertrude rushed forward, taking Bonny by the arm and turning to face the woman. “Mrs. Kendal, yes, we finished and were just leaving. This lady is Bonny Kendal, Bradley’s wife. My condolences to you; I am very sorry for your loss. I am the minister, Gertrude Mims. I recognize you from when I lived in Texas. I sent Bradley’s obituary to your local paper. I thought it was only right that the people of his hometown knew he had passed.”
The Cabby was still waiting for his fare. I eased around the three women and motioned to the cabby, “How much was the fare?”
“Ninety-one dollars. I had to drive like Hell to get here as soon as possible. It appears I was late getting my fare here.”
“Thank you. I’ll collect so you can go along.” I opened my wallet and handed the cabby $120.
“Thanks, governor, you’re a peach. Have a good day.” He drove slowly away.
Now, I paid attention to this woman who had arrived so unexpectedly.
Gertrude introduced the woman who was standing nearby. “People, this is Bradley’s mother, Ruth Kendal. I didn’t expect her to make the trip this far from Texas. I’ve known her, but not well, for years. Ruth, would you tell us a little about yourself and some of what Brad was like when he was a child?”
“Gertrude, Mims, I do remember you. Thank you so much for letting us know, that Bradley has passed. I had been expecting that he wouldn’t make it this far. Brad had a lot of trouble with his father, and not all of it was Bradley’s fault. Bradley disappeared soon after the police warned him to leave town. I don’t want to go into that at all.
“Gertrude, would you find me quarters where I may freshen up before the Funeral? After the funeral, I might as well find transportation back to the airport and go back to Texas.”
Bonny spoke, “No, Mother Kendal, you must stay with me for a few days. I will have some days off from work. We should bond a little. I want to share with you my life during my marriage to Bradley. He was a wonderful husband, and I miss him very much. You must meet all the people who love him, and with whom he has worked for the last three years. Bradley worked for the Thorps, and we miss him as much as all do.”
I said, “Bonny, I have an empty apartment you may have the use of. It will be good for you, too, to have friends near for a bit. You can show your Mother-in-law what Bradley was doing to restore the old horse ranch and show her some of the more outstanding things that Brad did. We had better head back and see that everything was ready when people arrive for the funeral.”
Bonny turned to Ruth, “See what I mean, how well my husband, Bradley, was liked?”
“My son must have changed a lot since I knew him. You people speak about someone who has finally found himself. I had no idea that was possible with Bradley. Of course, he didn’t have an excellent role model for a father. They didn’t get along at all.”
Alan Peabody stopped to say as he was walking by. “I have a few roses here. Would anyone like them?”
Ruth spoke, “Yes, I would. I’ll press them, and it will be something I can remember Bradley by.”
We loaded up; I stored Ruth Kendal’s suitcase in the back of the Subaru. Bonny and Ruth were continually asking questions; “Bonny, where is the Funeral being held?”
“Ruth, it will be in the Colonel’s horse farmhouse. The house is new, and Bradley worked on it every day, including his last day at work. He was on his way home from there when the accident occurred. The police informed me, and I informed the Colonel, Molly, and Jim. I also informed Amelia, the Colonel’s new wife. She is one of my closest friends.”
“Who is this Colonel you keep mentioning?”
“He is Jim’s Grandfather, a man nearly eighty. Amelia is in her mid-seventies. She was a close friend of Jim’s, and he came down from Vermont after leaving the armed services. They bought an RV to live in because the original house on the farm had burned years ago.”
Molly, riding in the front seat, turned and said to Bonny. “Don’t forget me, Bonny. The Colonel is my grandfather, too, although I’m not related to him in the same way as Jim. I own twenty percent of the property, run the horse farm, and have an apartment in Jim’s house, which Bradley helped build. Bradley was a long-time boyfriend of mine before he married Bonny.”
“That’s correct. Bradley used to get drunk, and when he drank too much, Molly and I went after him. Brad did drink the first year I was married to him. I married Brad 3 years ago, and I was at wit’s end when Jim arrived. Jim and Molly planned to restore the horse farm to its former use. We were at a dance, and Brad got drunk as usual. Jim and Molly gave me a ride home.
“The next morning, I came into town and found Bradley in Jim’s room. Jim rescued Brad and gave him a job. Bradley promised Jim that he wouldn’t drink anymore. Jim told him that was fine, but he should promise me the same. Bradley did. Would you believe that Bradley never took another drink? That was two years ago, and Bradley and I had the most wonderful, loving marriage and life together for only that long. I don’t understand why this accident had to happen to Brad and leave me all alone when things were so perfect for us.”
I looked in the mirror, and tears ran down Bonny’s cheeks. I was now turning onto the Colonel’s road. Thinking Bonny wouldn’t want everyone to see her crying, I turned into the horse exercise trail and shut the motor off. “Bonny, give yourself a minute to pull yourself together.”
Bonny got out of the car, and Molly did as well. The two went behind the car, and Molly hugged Bonny. “Jim, what should I do. I don’t know Bonny that well?”
“Ruth, I think Bonny will pull herself together after a few minutes. Those two are very close, having both loved Bradley. I know how they feel. Bradley and I were close in the same way. I have been so proud to have him working for me. He did everything he could and more to make the farm a showplace. I’m sad he won’t be here when I finish working on it.”
“What is the reason Bradley changed, like you say he did?”
“Not sure; much of it was because he had worked for Grandfather for years. I arrived, told him I would restore it, and asked him to help. He worked with the Colonel and Molly, helping to get the horse farm started, and they achieved that goal during the first year I was there. Molly currently operates a viable and profitable business. This last year, I have kept him busy working. He kept coming up with suggestions to make my part of the property a showplace. I’m missing him.”
The door opened, and Bonny slid into the front seat. “Thanks for stopping, Jim. You always seem to know what needs doing. I’m good now and strong enough to get through the service.”
I backed into the driveway and drove by the front of the unfinished house. Molly began to explain to Ruth some of the things I was planning. Most were about where I would have the columns placed to frame the porch at ground level and the balcony attached to the second level.
When we reached the rear of the house, I took the women through the entrance and directly to the elevator. “You have an hour and a half to freshen up; enter apartment number three. It is on the left as you exit the elevator. Downstairs for the funeral, when we are ready to go down, Mrs. Kendal and Bonny, would you take the center seats in front of the pulpit? Amelia and the Colonel will be at the table. Bonny, you can have your mother by your side. Molly, there is room for Walter. He thought a lot of Brad.”
“Walter got a call about one of his horses so he won’t attend. He did help being a bearer.”
“That was very nice of him, and I’ll thank him when I see him.” I collected my thoughts. “I’ll be sitting at one end of the front table. Maggie won’t be at the funeral as she is marshaling her crew in the kitchen. There will be a half-hour break after the funeral. I imagine some will want to go to the bathroom, and they are marked. Some people will go out the back entrance to look around. They will most likely straggle back in, and the director will seat them so they don’t interrupt while Maggie’s crew will be serving the repast.”
Bonny spoke. “Jim, you have to sit beside the Colonel. I will tell Peabody to sit between me, the Colonel, or maybe Amelia.”
“Okay, speak to the director about it. See you soon.”
I was walking down the stairs to the funeral when I heard the vehicles arriving. I heard music playing from the band, which meant the band had arrived and set up. Mike Mims would be the one playing the Wurlitzer upright Piano—the pulpit placed at the edge of the stage. The Curtin closed where the band was to play. There weren’t many people sitting at the tables yet.
The Colonel was at the back entrance. He greeted people as they came inside, most of whom he knew. “Jim, I was surprised to learn that Brad’s mother came from Texas. Bonny’s choice of Gertrude Mims was excellent, for she contacted Mrs. Kendal, Bradley’s Mother.”
“I believe all she did was to send the Obit to the newspaper, and Mrs. Kendal read it there. She seems nice, although I surmise that their family was dysfunctional. It doesn’t matter; she came anyway, and when she arrived, she discovered that Bradley was well thought of. It would make her long trip worth it.”
“Yeah, Jim, I never knew anything about Brad’s early life or much about him. Your hiring him was a stroke of genius.”
“Well, Sir, he told me he had worked for you before I knew him, so I figured it was the right thing to do. How big a crowd do you think will attend?”
“Not as many as I first thought, but having the Wake and the Committal Service first will have siphoned off quite a few for the service today. The tables will only be half filled, I’ll warrant.”
I left my grandfather and went toward the front entrance. There was only a narrow section of the driveway for parking cars, and only a few spaces were available at the end of the building. The rest went around where they could see the sizeable ample parking at the rear of the building, and they would park there. Standing where I did, people would enter and stop to look around. The staircases on each side of the room were impressive and stood out.
People stopped before entering and paid little attention to the time. Grandfather finally shouted out the back door and announced to the people that the service was about to begin. Mrs. Mims pulled the curtain back, and the band was now visible.
Gertrude, now, greeted everyone. She also announced that the first item on the itinerary was the hymn, “Whispering Hope,” to be sung by her daughter, Jenny, and accompanied by the high school Garage Band, of which her son and daughter were members.
“I also found out today that Bradley played in a band much like this one at one time and often stopped while this band was practicing to give them a few pointers to make their music better.”
I knew that Gertrude was speaking specifically to Brad’s mother while addressing the congregation. Ruth felt Brad was lost to his mother, and Ruth had failed miserably in supporting her son. During the eulogy, Gertrude named several things that Bradley had excelled in while working for Colonel James the Third, including basic cleanup chores in preparation for restoring the horse farm and buildings.
“Bradley also worked diligently to restore the race track with its many fences and the new, larger exercise track around the perimeter of the fields for Molly Burns, his former girlfriend. When Molly was short of a person to exercise a horse, Bradley, who knew the rudiments required in the exercises, filled in to perform that job with dispatch.
“Bradley more recently worked for Jim Thorpe, with the title of James Thorpe, the Fifth, Grandson of Colonel James, and the Third. Jim gave Bradley the task of creating the beautiful grounds surrounding the area and the home. You only have to walk over these acres to enjoy the work that Bradley created. It is masterful.”
When the funeral services were complete, I stood up and made the announcement. “A repast begins in twenty minutes and is served at these tables. Maggie’s Restaurant closed its doors after breakfast today, working to prepare the lunch of chicken and gravy. If you want your biscuits under the gravy, open a biscuit before she reaches you. Salads will precede the chicken.”
I had hardly finished speaking when people took their seats and filled the chairs. Fifteen minutes later, carts wheeled in bearing shakers of salt and pepper, black and red, along with utensils wrapped in a cloth napkin and an empty soup plate. Glasses of water sat on the tables as well. The carts entered between the rows of tables and dispensed salads, and right behind these came three other servers with hot containers of chicken gravy. Each table had a basket with a dozen warm biscuits nestled under a warm cloth.
Another server wheeled in a beverage cart, and it was standing by. You can get up and go there for your choice of beverage, which may include coffee, tea, or punch. There was another cart holding a chocolate cake and different cookies. You could indicate your choice, and a server would take it to your seat. Soon, everyone was happily eating. Most people left their seats as soon as they finished, and then went outside to walk around the grounds. Some exited through the front door, walking across the driveway to view the horses in the pasture.
Molly was standing, discussing different horses and answering questions about them. She was having success with others who had shown promise.
I had placed a table with an umbrella outside for shade, where we could sit to say goodbye. Bonny, the Colonel, Amelia, Alice, Ruth Kendal, and the minister, Gertrude Mims, sat at the table. I was standing and answering questions about the property and its history.
When People stopped coming by to talk, and most had left, I stepped inside to see how Maggie and her crew were getting along. Maggie was all smiles.
“Jim, you have a very efficient place here for serving a meal and cleaning up afterward. I can’t think of anything that I needed to make it better than it could be. All the dirty dishes, including pots and pans, are in the dishwashers. All the linens already sacked and headed to the laundry. The slop pails for the pig farm are halfway there. The floor swept, and you told me you would mop it before it was used again. I’ll stop by and put everything away within a couple of days when the linens return.”
Maggie and her crew all left before five o’clock. Ruth and some of the other women were there when Maggie said goodbye. Ruth asked Jim, “Do you own all the tableware and linens? They must have cost you a pretty penny?”
“Yes, they did. I have decided to buy the tables I’ll need eventually. You see, I was in the Army and had friends posted worldwide. In the back of my mind, I want to get many of them together and entertain them. I am currently renting the tables, but I would like the kitchen fully stocked with dishes, etc. The Colonel is aware of my plans, and he suggested I have Bradley’s funeral here as an honor to a friend of all. It has all worked out well.”
“Bonny, you are so fortunate to have friends like these.”
“I know, Ruth, I am very fortunate. It has helped me get beyond Bradley’s absence. Your presence here has also alleviated many of the feelings of loss. Are you able to stay here with me for a time?”
“Yes, of course. I also want to be friends with your mother, Alice.”
“Good,” she said. “She was taking time off from work as well. We’ll be eating in Maggie’s restaurant a lot, so you can get to know her better.”
I faced a group of women. “Consider apartment Number Three yours to live in for the time being.”
“Thank you, Jim, you are so kind.”
I went into my apartment and took a short nap. It was about eight, and I went through the door to the Colonel’s apartment. “Where is Amelia, Sir?”
“She is over holding court in Number Three. Alice Childs and Bonny are getting more familiar with Ruth Kendal. I was there for a few minutes, but there was no food. I expect Amelia will be inviting them here for a snack. Alice and Ruth are hitting it off well. They are damned silly for women their age. Do you want a plate of leftover chicken gravy? There aren’t any biscuits, but you can dip some bread.”
“Yeah, I can go for some. Things went well today, didn’t they?”
We were sitting down to our meal when there was a knock on the door. I was closest, so I opened it. Bonny stood there. She took one look at me, and tears started. “Jim and Colonel, I’m so glad the girls in the other apartment enjoy themselves. I can’t forget that we buried Bradley today. I want to thank you both for everything again for being so kind to me.”
The Colonel raised his arms, and Bonny hugged him. I received the same, plus a kiss on the cheek. I went to the cupboard, got another soup plate, and set it on the table. “Have some soup. I know you haven’t eaten much.”
“Oh, great, just what I need.”
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