Tea for Miss Peeg

Richie and Toni took a visible upset Miss Peeg back to the boarding house after the funeral. Hando had driven off with a spin of tires to parts unknown.

Richie went into the tavern for a much needed drink and Toni accompanied Miss Peeg to her room.

"I must apologize Mrs. Roberts for my behavior," Miss Peeg said dabbing at her eyes.

"There’s no apology necessary Miss Peeg and please call me Toni."

"Well…perhaps in the confines of my room I shall permit myself…my name is Winnie."

Seeing the tea things on the bureau, "I’ll make you a cup of tea Winnie."

"Oh…no please I can do that."

"Please allow me sit down and relax Winnie."

"I should never have insisted Hando go to the funeral I realize now it was a mistake…I thought he should go…everyone needs closure."

"Hando may have had his own way of reaching that point Winnie. He’s a bit different."

"He’s not that different you know, he has the same feelings everyone else does…he just keeps them hidden. I feel so bad for him," she sniffed bringing her handkerchief to her nose.

"Well I’m a little worried he may take his feelings out on Travis McGee. He tried today and was stopped but that doesn’t mean he won’t try again."

"Oh surely not Toni, he was very shocked today to see Marce’s sister I’m sure that had some bearing on his behavior."

Toni smiled handing Miss Peeg a cup of tea, "you’ve become quite taken with Hando haven’t you?"

"I’m not sure I’d put it exactly that way…I felt sorry for him no one seemed to care about him, he was dismissed for his looks not what was inside."

"What is it Winnie that you found inside worth caring about?"

"He’s very lonely and so very intelligent. I’d like to think I might steer him in a different direction…away from his violent past. I thought I had reached him…some part of him."

"He respects you Winnie. From what Richie has told me about him he’s volatile…unpredictable…he can be dangerous."

"I believe he came here to start over…to try and find a different way of life…but now he’s had a major setback…he’ll have to start over again. Marce was good for him Toni she had influence over him…now there is no one."

"There is no one to check him…that’s why I think he may be dangerous right now Winnie. I think he’ll come back and possibly for Mr. McGee."

Miss Peeg sipped her tea, "Not if I can get to him first."

Toni smiled and patted her shoulder thinking for once Miss Peeg had bit off more than she could chew.