44Peg and I retreated to Stush’s Diner. We had a million and one things to do to get ready for Polkapourri, but we badly needed to step back and take stock first.
When we walked in, Uncle Stush greeted us with an expression of deepest sorrow on his St. Bernard face. “Such a terrible, terrible day.” He wagged his head and looked like he might cry. “Another good friend, taken before his time.”
Peg sighed. “We’re still in shock. We just can’t believe it.”
“I don’t know how this town will ever recover.” Stush gestured in the general direction of a booth and staggered toward the kitchen. “Coffee will be out in a minute.”
Peg watched him go. “He’s pretty broken up about Eddie. They knew each other forever.”
I nodded and followed her to the booth. Stush had been right about the to
