8

You manage to swallow back your anxiety a little, however, and you're about to ask Maxie where you should sit when, without warning, they call out to the entire hall:

"Hi there, folks!"

You stand stunned as a few people look up, smile, and wave. A couple more turn round to shout back: "Hey Maxie!" Nobody seems to think anything of Maxie's own brand of entrance—though you do see one or two pairs of eyes lingering on you once they've given their wave.

"Small town," Maxie murmurs in a softer voice, seeming to notice the curious onlookers. "If you get any weird looks, it's nothing personal. Now let's deliver some donuts."

You head for the snack table where Maxie puts down the box (after setting aside your chocolate-and-peanut butter donut where no one can get to it). They cheerfully greet a few more people there, and as you're taking in the room from this new vantage point, you notice a tall, blonde-haired woman with sharp-framed glasses come in from the back holding a bouquet of flowers. She looks your way just as Maxie glances up from their coffee.

"Oh, Zoe!" Maxie calls, suddenly beaming. They put down their cup in a fluster and wave to the woman. The woman gives a little wave in return, though as she approaches she turns a few times to look at the empty table on the stage behind her, seemingly distracted.

As she reaches you, she stops to give Maxie a kiss. The second they step apart, however, she launches into an exasperated speech.

"This day's never going to end," she sighs, eyes fixed on the stage. "Dina ordered flowers for the meeting yesterday, and I figured she wanted a couple of vases for decoration, but then today she comes in the store—doesn't call ahead, just drops in—and tells me no, they're for some big shot, they're a gift from the town, and it's an honor that I get to be the one who drives two hours to pick up hydrangeas from my supplier because this guy needs to see our best stuff. Anyway, I hope he's giving someone a lot of cash, because then I might finally see one of those business grants they promised us a few years back."

She stops to catch her breath. Without a word, Maxie offers her a donut, which she gladly takes.

"Thanks, hon," the woman says with a grateful sigh. "I need the sugar. Anyway, I'd better get these to Dina—"

"Wait," Maxie interrupts, holding up a hand. "First, I want you to meet somebody."

Maxie gestures towards you with a flourish. Zoe blinks, apparently just noticing you for the first time.

"Recognize him? I sure didn't. Zoe, this is Huknock ., Anthea's grandkid! Apparently the both of them are moving back into town, though Anthea's going to be away for a bit. So for now, we just have one new neighbor. Huknock, meet my wife, Zoe."

"Wow—Huknock?" As Zoe looks back at you, her eyes widen slightly, clearly surprised. "This is…unexpected!"