Hixie was in the hospital overnight and moved as planned into the apartment over the garage and behind the theater club in downtown Pickax. The garage had been behind a large fieldstone mansion once owned by Qwill before it burned to the ground and was replaced by a theater club. Hixie said she would sell her condo and never live there after a man died in her living room. Her physical scars soon turned purple then yellow and faded away, but Qwill felt sure her emotional scars would be slow to heal. He had always felt a closeness, even a slight protectiveness toward Hixie, though he had never had an occasion to exercise those leanings into action. Hixie was completely and utterly independent and required very little of her friends, and instead gave alot. His feelings stemmed from the fact he had been the one to bring her to Moose County from down below many years ago. Adding to Hixie's emotional state was the fact Collin Snodgrass' father, Dr. Henry Snodgrass was vice president of MCCC and spread around town his belief that Hixie killed his son in cold blood, a murder rather than self defense from an attack. He wrote letters to the editor to the Moose County Something, he called news crews down below, he wrote letters to the Daily Fluxion and the Morning Rampage, two newspapers down below. He made weekly visits to the police station, never letting up. As the weeks went by after the incident, Qwilleran busied himself with lining up potential interviews for big foot stories for a possible sequel to Short and Tall Tales. One afternoon, he answered his phone to find Andy Brodie on the line. Qwill, I am in your neighborhood and thought you might have some time for me to drop by. Yes, yes Andy, come on over. Qwilleran turned on the coffemaker and made sure their was some scotch in a decanter on the make shift bar in the dining room of the condo. He laid out some cheese and crackers and nuts on the kitchen island. Brody passed on the coffee and drank a wee gram of scotch and nibbled the cheese and nuts as he began to talk. Qwill, I think we are ready to presnet to the grand jury next week. We finally have everything we need to wrap this case up. You still believe Hixie was defending herself, don't you Andy? Oh yes, a bunch of trappers found a "big foot" costume hidden up in the woods not far from Hilltop cemetary Qwill. We figure Snodgrass dressed in it to scare HIxie, since he knew when and where she would be. He stole her key to the condo and had one made. He hid in her attic and watched her undress and sleep. He was stalking her Qwill. And further evidence of this is that we found out he had been arrested twice down below for stalking a girlfriend two years ago. He was fired from his job and his father hired him to come up here. His father knew he had been violent with women and been a stalker. When all this is presented to the Grand Jury, it may finally shut him up. Yes, Qwilleran agreed, it is hard for HIxie to heal with this fool bellowing about that she killed his son. If he persists, I am going to talk to G. Allen Barter about a harrassement complaint against him for Hixie. Well I am glad to put this case to rest. Of course I knew all along it must have been someone from down below.

Brody left, and Koko said Yowwwwwwwwwwwww. Yes,Qwill said, Koko I believe this case is solved. YOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW koko said in protest and Qwill's mustache tingled.

Arch and Mildred had other plans, but Hixie agreed and suggested Bushy and Janice. She had run into Janice and knew they were free that night. Qwill called Bushy and he agreed. They decided to go to Tipsy's and have good old hamburger and baked potato with some of Tipsy's cherry pie. A hearty Moose county meal. Janice and Hixie had a salad instead of potato but Bushy and Qwill had the full meal. The cherry pie was fresh from the oven and warm, and served with a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream on the side. Janice and Bushy talked of their new cabin cruiser and invited Qwilleran and Hixie to go out for a boating trip soon. Bushy was busy with photographing for the newspaper, private portraits as well as teaching a photography course at the local college. Qwill steered the conversation from the college to another topic when Janice brought it up. Hixie talked about winter plans at the newspaper and Qwill decided not to mention his big foot story in deference to Hixie. It was a pleasant evening spent with friends and they went back to Bushy and Janice's house on Pleasant street, formerly owned by Thelma Thackery and before that owned by Lynette. They had some coffee and more good conversation before Qwill drove Hixie home and went up to the apartment to make sure she was settled safely in before departing. While never any romantic feelings between them, Qwill was fond of her, like a younger sister. He drove home with a more peaceful feeling than he had started the day with, having forgotten his unsettling feelings and if it had not been Pickax, he would have whistled a happy tune. The End

Beth, this was a fine story!! I am sorry that it is over, but you did a great job, and I loved every word. I liked how you brought in so many characters. Bushy and Janice were a nice touch at the end, and especially the mention of their new cabin cruiser. Very good explanation about Snotgas. Yes, I am back to calling him that.

Thank you so very much for taking the time to make Moose County come alive. I hope you might come up with another story to share.

Corrianne and Joyce, did you get my ending........Qwill felt happy and wanted to whistle but couldn't because this was Pickax. It was a reference to The Cat Who Played Post Office, when Qwill first learned there was a no whistle ordinance in Pickax, because being a mining town whistling in a mine was bad luck.

Oh, that whistling reference is priceless! As for names, I like the Attic reference, unless you want to call it "The Cat Who Nabbed Snotgas"

Beth, I enjoyed your story so very much. I found it so funny and so realisic. You had your details down and it was true to LJB style and to the characters. You are very talented. I just loved the way it began and the tale the old man told. I am still chuckling at the dog named chicken leg. Big Foot is one area LJB never wrote about, and she covered so many topics. It was very original of you to think of it. Please write more.