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Mayberry never looked more beautiful. The red, yellow, and violet colors in the sky had settled softly down and nestled into the Happy Valley. Family and cherished friends had just devoured Aunt Bee's Thanksgiving feast. Opie brought his empty plate that once held a hunk of pie and a scoop of ice cream into the kitchen where Aunt Bee was trying to chase out Helen and Thelma Lou, but they would hear nothing of it. The women gathered and just naturally did what women who gather in a kitchen after a meal do. I once, accidently mind you, entered such a situation as this, and could have done cartwheels through the kitchen without the women batting an eye. Some sorta trance they fall into I guess. Ask Buzz Fluhart - maybe he can explain it to you.
Out on the front porch, a glutton, his overfed, sleepy Deputy, and a quiet fellow were anchoring down their chairs.
"Look at that sunset, Ange..," Barney said.
"Mmmm HMMM."
"I don't believe I've ever had a finer meal...have you?" Barney said through a yawn.
"I noticed you really packed it away there, Barn." Andy said, smiling.
"Welllllll.....it's a good thing it'll all burn away. We wirey high-energy guys burn it through our muscles."
"Muscles!?....more like fat," Andy said, as he leaned forward.
"That's not fat....it's muscle!" Barney said wide-eyed.
"Fat."
"Nothing but muscle, Ange!"
"Well, don't get upset, Barn."
"I'm not upset...but it IS muscle."
"Ok...ok. Did you enjoy your meal, Mr. Schwump?"
The quiet man nodded, smiled, and looked down at the pot of mums on the edge of the porch.
Aunt Bee came out and offered more pie to the boys. Three polite refusals, but there was some talk about a compromise involving a slice and three forks, but Aunt Bee was long gone before it was voted on.
A bit later, after coffee in the living room, it was time for goodbyes. As a few conversations were winding down, the quiet gentleman, as he put on his overcoat, spoke:
"Folks, I'd like to say something."
Somewhere, a pin fell and shook the floor.
"Folks....I just wanted to say....we all have choices....and I.....I've made the wrong ones more often than not......but, the things in my life that I was lucky enough to choose....my hometown, and.....you all....my friends.....well, I treasure you folks....God Bless each and every one of you."
The women cantered up to him. Aunt Bee fastened the top button of his coat. Thel touched his left arm softly and smiled shyly. Helen took his right hand in hers and whispered into his ear.
Andy handed Barney his hanky.
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