Tuckamore Bay

a debt paid

He paused, as he looked at Matty.

"Spite all da tings dat Matty 'as done fer us, dere bes a growin' bunch of people 'ere in da Bay dat are not as optimistic as Matty bes."

"But we still have time," Matty pleaded.

Mayor Tucker stopped her.

"Matty, youse knows dat we all loves youse. Youse is da 'eart and soul of da Bay and no one 'as done more or suffered more den youse 'ave.

And wes knows dat youse 'as spent all youse inheritance and more besides and wes all 'as 'elped youse da best we can and wes will keep doin' so, but Matty, many tinks youse bes fightin' a losin' battle."

Bill turned to Matty.

"You're broke?"

Matty smiled.

"I may have overextended myself a little. But that is not why we are here."

Bill shook his head.

"How much do you owe?"

"Can we talk about this later?"

Bill shook his head.

"No. If we are doing this, I need you to have nothing on your mind but what we are doing."

Bill suddenly smiled and sat back.

"What am I saying. You have the money in your bank account."

Matty forced a smile.

"Not really."

"What?"

"Look can we stay on track here."

Bill opened his briefcase and put the documents back in.

"What are you doing?"

Bill looked back at Matty.

"We need to talk."

He stood and looked at the other three.

"We will talk again later. I need to talk to Matty right now."

John Dove stood up and shook Bill's hand.

"Bill, me son. Like 'enry be sayin' earlier, wes all is 'appy dat youse is tinkin' 'bout 'elpin' us out 'ere in da Bay, but truth be known, many of da younger peoples 'ere don't bes tinkin' da way wes do."

"How's that?"

Joyce spoke up.

"Its bes like dis, mainlander. Da young ones can't afford to bes waitin'. Dey 'as to bes lookin' out fer dere families."

She looked at Matty.

"Many of dey will bes leavin' in da spring."

Matty jumped to her feet.