Fairytale - A Blue Lake Falls Novel

Chapter One

This is why you need friends, Mabel thought to herself. Friends; they help you with these possible life altering decisions about whether the granny pants that you're currently wearing were a good idea, they advise you in the ways of small talk and friends meet you for dinners so you don't find yourself in situations like this where you've been left walking around with sauce on your chin, in front of strangers. She honestly couldn't believe she had spent the last hour with BBQ sauce smeared over her face whilst attempting to flirt at this stupid singles night where their slogan is 'Where you're guaranteed to have a 'good time'. She really needed to revise her table manners because this truly happened way too many times, however she didn't grace her outfit with the same facial decorations to which she was grateful for. I honestly don't need to add to my already cringe worthy appearance she mused. How had she stooped so low as to come here, alone at that. Clark, one of her neighbours gave her the leaflet to his businesses next singles night down at the local watering hole, situated on the outskirts of her small town in Blue Lake Falls in the north of Minnesota, The Clawson was the only restaurant in the small town she lived in which at night opened the doors to the bar for a more relaxed atmosphere where you could easily wine and dine at a casual pace. It was not considered by locals as a high class joint but it had a certain rustic back water road charm to it the people loved and no one could ever fault the food. Everything here was cooked over an open flame grill top using locally sources grass fed meats and quality vegetables to go along with it. No meal was complete without the famous zing-zing fries next to your double patty blue cheese topped smoked bacon burger and a side of apple sliced slaw courtesy of the chef's heritage to his families owned apple cider mill two towns over. The whole building was decorated the same from one side to the other, dark oak panelling adorned the walls throughout both sides of the building and the bar up to waist height then the top half was painted a muted cream to match the old fashioned country style but just a more updated version. This was all broken up by large windows overlooking the wooden deck which went around the whole building where wooden chairs and tables were spaced along the edge next to the railings. Old black and white pictures hung on every wall showcasing the past generations of frontiers and townsfolk and their adventures through this land. All in all it wasn't a bad little place, she could see now why Clark had obviously hoped she would give it a chance and maybe even find someone to spend time with. 

 He was a kind man so she couldn't fault him for trying, the strong silent type with a beautiful family and a nice garden, no dead plants in his house she thought sourly. What am I doing?, she moaned in frustration as she washed her face in the restaurants bathroom trying to avoid the gazes of the other woman who were here. She didn't need their pitying looks or smirks. No, what she needed was to go straight home and get in her button down flannel pj's, throw out the latest plant to sadly suffer a gruesome fate no plant should face and put on one of her favourite movies and consume copious amounts of junk food. "Come on, there has to be one here who has manners and can handle your humour. Now pull yourself together woman". Mabel scolded herself in the now empty bathroom, whilst applying fresh lipstick that she brought today in the hopes it would bring some good luck. Sadly it was not her colour, she had decided to be daring and go for a plum colour she had seen advertised along with a few other shades by one of the makeup brands she abused during her youth. Usually any lipstick or gloss she wore never lasted long due to her line of work and how often she wiped grease and engine lubricants off her entire being, not to mention her constant lip nibbling whenever she was anxious over the simplest of situations but lastly not forgetting how any lipstick she wore had the urge to drift right to the edges of her lip making her appear like a J-Lo wannabe circa 2002, a friend would of helped me with this she sighed. She doubled checked her appearance one last time and adjusted her massive stomach holding panties which loved to roll down at precisely the wrong times. Why!? Why must they make something so comfortable and yet so God damned annoying. But hey its hiding the fact I just consumed my weight in chicken wings and bread rolls. Mabel was willing to negotiate on terms of length of time worn and food consumed. Damn my love for carbs she thought guiltily and with an exaggerated sigh she turned to the mirror, "Bridget Jones eat your heart out" she said smiling with as much courage she could muster to her reflection and with that she exited the bathroom into her version of hell. 

"Ladies! Ladies! Can I get your attention please. Over here". Clark's wife Amanda called out over the restaurant portion of The Clawson, "Gentleman this way to me if you may" called Clark, both sexes making their way to the designated areas ready for the start of the mingling, more like culling mused Mabel, I truly feel like a cow moving with the herd in a too small field. "Now Ladies, please take a seat wherever you like at the tables behind me. Once you're all ready we shall bring the men in. For those who have done this before please take a seat now and if it’s your first time don't panic it's quite simple. The Ladies sit and the Gentlemen move. two minutes per session, when the bell goes off the gentlemen moves on. If however you wish to leave the table with the Gentlemen simply stand up and move into the bar area away from those still taking part. OK, did everyone catch that?" asked Amanda. Greeted with nodding heads and smiles she motioned for the Ladies to take their seats, Mabel chose one towards the end where the lighting looked a little lower. She was quite frankly petrified at the thought of even attending something like this and until tonight she had successfully managed to find plausible excuses but her luck had run out, as she made her way over to a chair she gazed around at the other women taking their seats. She saw those who smirked at her whilst she was cleaning up in the bathroom and silently cheered when she saw one lady attempt to hide a wine stain on her skirt. Seems I'm not the only one she thought whilst sitting down. There was about 30 Women here ready to 'date' multiple men in the space of two hours where she will no doubt be judged, picked apart and possibly leered at like a metaphorical cow up for the blue ribbon but she promised Clark she would attend and here she is in all her department store glory. She noticed whilst she checked her ever so fetching name tag that she received upon arrival that each woman here appeared to really make an effort with their hair and makeup and their general overall demeanour. Mabel took a glance to her right and studied the Lady next to her whilst trying not to be noticed. Simple black pumps, low heeled but shiny, Mabel envied her already, sheer tights under a tight black pencil skirt which looked like it had come right out of a catalogue from a boutique shop probably based in Minneapolis. It was chic and fitting and just looked gorgeous on its owner she thought, it was paired then with a dark midnight blue blouse which was one size too big it seemed so it hung hiding any sins and was tucked into the waistband of the skirt show causing the owners size 8 perfect streamlined figure. I bet she works out Mabel sulked. With a quick last glance around the room to be sure she wasn't caught staring she clocked the ladies makeup and hairstyle, a loose chignon tied with a thin black ribbon. It was elegant and oozed class which matched her face, simple blush over a flawless base and black winged liner and Mabel was 100 percent certain framed real extra-long eyelashes. The lady knew she looked amazing just from observing her posture Mabel thought, this woman totally deserves it along with finding a good partner whoever it may be. Mabel always believed she never deserved such things. She would find something about herself whenever she would go shopping for a new outfit to find fault with it, or when catching a glimpse of herself naked in the shower. She avoided mirrors most of the time and just stuck with her trusty work wear and black outfits. Hoping to hide any hint of lots of extra meat on her big bones, so instead of wallowing longer on her a) her choice of outfit tonight and b) her body shape, size and colour, she downed her favourite cherry noted imported Scottish whiskey. Feeling it burn her throat as it hit the back and made its way down she hoped it would ease the knowing pain inside that comes with being not just at the bottom of the pile but in the wet soil that's under the barrel which holds the pile.

Ten minutes in and three men down all Mabel could think was, I am so bored, bored, bored! Oh my Goddess why did I even agree to this. These Men are simply after one thing and most will get it and the one or maybe two good eggs here might be left behind she screamed in her mind. These thoughts clouding the conversation she was trying to have with Andrew or was it Colin in front of her. She hoped however that the lady next to her would find one of the good eggs, that was Mabel though. Always championing everyone else but herself, thank Goddess I'm out of this town for four weeks tomorrow she thought, turning her attention back to Andrew. Or Colin.

"Oh, that's the buzzer. Nice to meet you Mabel."

"Likewise".

Her next date arrived smelling of stale musk and Carlsberg, a ghastly combination. He was dressed in a smart looking jacket over dark blue jeans and shiny black shoes Mabel noticed as she studied his form as he sat down. This guy just wanted a f**k, she wondered as she reached her limit of tolerance on this event. OK Mabel, give him a chance two minutes and if he proves us right then we stand up and leave her conscious decided for her.

"Hi I'm David, nice to meet you, uh, Mabel"

"You too David, what brings you here tonight?"

"Love, or lack of" He laughed.

She chuckled along with him, "Well I hope you get lucky in love then" she relied genuinely.

"So tell me Mabel, what's your dislikes?"

"Wow, OK that's easy. Houseplants and dogs" she announced unashamedly. Most people love dogs and own them around here but for Mabel and her allergies she simply had to love them from afar. 

"Dogs? Come on everyone loves them don't they? Can teach them to bring you a beer from the fridge" He cracked a smile, sadly showing very crooked teeth. Mabel wished he would close his mouth quickly, might limit the smell of that awful beer. He wasn't totally hopeless though. He did have a nice easy to look at face she decided after a while. 

"Well I wouldn't say I dislike dogs more that I'm allergic". 

"Ahh I see". He replied "What do you do for work?". 

"I'm a mechanic, I teach workshops as well in my spare time".

"Oh. I wouldn't of thought a girl like you would be into something like that." He started laughing. "I thought you were a waitress or something more suitable". 

I laughed as well, the last time he would make me laugh she knew whilst finishing her drink, "And I thought you weren't a d**k, but we can all be wrong. Goodnight Dave."

And with that she grabbed her bag, turned on her flat heels and high tailed it out of there. Her actions were noted by half of the ladies with whom still had partners at their tables and most of the men.

... 

"It always ends the same, always. Why do I bother, Why!? I made an actual effort this time. I showered for Christ's sake" she ranted at her dead houseplant. "I even shaved my bloody legs for this but no, once again I was proved right. Men hate it when they find out the woman opposite them could be so much more than just a pair of legs and t**s. My god I can't wait to leave tomorrow. 4 weeks of utter bliss here I come" she squealed as she carried the latest body out of her house for burial, slowly her walk out of respect for the deceased. "I am sorry my friend, deeply. I'll try harder next time" And with that she deposited the dead plant into the compost heap and shut the lid. 

As she trudged back inside trying to avoid the puddles from the late afternoon rain, Mabel just wished for once in her 29 years she would feel those tingles of passion where you would spend hours sending little messages to each other about nothing in particular or just to have some you could have dinner with, who at least would tell you if you spilt your meal down your front rather than an empty house and another dead Aloe Vera plant but then upon reflection after the delights of tonight where men like Dave raised the bar even higher on her asshole meter she wouldn't trade it for the world on nights like this. It was dark and cold, the cold you get after lots of rain. The smell reminded her of her destination tomorrow as she thought of her holiday she gazed into the night. I do love these nights she thought as she smiled up at the nights sky. Little stars blinking over a midnight blue canvas, their beauty matched and amplified by the almost full moon.

Dicks are better with batteries she decided, they go in, get the job done and don't need to ask directions on the way and with she went in, locked the door and went to bed. 

However, as she locked the door of her house she was unaware just how quickly things were about to change as the Fates looked down upon their favourite.