The Agreeable Peggy Donlyn

Wrinkled hands brushed the plastic pages of a leather bound photo album. A girl no older than fifteen in a ball gown, gloves and a tiara waved, proud and teary eyed, at the camera. “Blanco County Rodeo Queen 1965” was scrawled across a sash that hung diagonally on her smooth slender frame. Now, Peggy Donlyn was long out of the running for the highest honor in the county.

She closed the album, picked up her cane and step by slow step started toward the front door. It was time to open the Fair and Rodeo once again. She was being honored in the opening ceremony as a distinguished guest and lead juror for the 2020 queen contest. Being a part of the event for over fifty years, it was about time she was a distinguished guest. She didn’t want to make a fuss but didn’t mind the honor.

The screen door slammed behind her as she left her small stone farm house on her corner of the family ranch. A terrier trotted alongside her and hopped into the passenger seat of the old Cadillac Peggy drove. Her brother recommended the car after a long day of searching. After a prolonged discussion they picked the color, burgundy. The interior was plush red and pink, comfy and soft for her and Pippy. The dog had grown on her, originally taken in temporarily from her sister who couldn't take care of her anymore, the dog had now been Peggy's for three years. The dog, her name, the car and Peggy's home, everything in Peggy's life wasn’t what she picked but, for Peggy, it turned out just fine in the end. The car still ran well and the AC worked in the summer. Her house was cozy and comfortable. Pippy and her had become inseparable friends, even going to the rodeo together. Every store or yard she passed with a friend out front waved to Peggy and she waved back.

Everywhere she went in town she found friends. She was part of the county quilters, Women’s Club, Lions Club, Rodeo Association and was one of the unofficial elders of the town. All she had to do was ask nicely and traffic would change directions for her. The problem was she would never want to impose so far as to ask.

One of Peggy's oldest friends, Mona Brewer took the rodeo stage. Her embroidered special occasion boots clicked with every step. Her skirt stopped just above the shafts so she could show off the ornate pattern that sparkled against the brown leather.

"It's my pleasure to introduce our distinguished guest this year," said Mona. "She's part of nearly every committee in town. She's been present for every milestone and decision the town has taken the past fifty years and she's been my best friend for most of that time. Everyone who knows her, thinks of her as a friend. A quiet, kind woman who has been a big supporter of the community for her whole life."

The words were touching but vague. At nearly seventy years old, one would think specifics could be listed in a speech for a distinguished guest: causes spear-headed, movements led. Peggy didn't notice. She prided herself in being quiet and kind and a friend to all. Not rocking the boat had created a peaceful and happy life for her. She always had someone to call on the phone, someone to share a church pew with or help when she needed it. It also earned her the honor of being the 2020 distinguished guest at the county rodeo.

Cane in hand for stability and Pippy at her side for support, Peggy slowly climbed the steps and crossed the stage to accept her plaque.

"Thank you so much, Mona, everyone," she said sweetly into the microphone. Feedback hummed for a moment and settled. "It's been a privilege to live in this town my whole life. I never imagined being distinguished. Did you Pippy?" she looked down at the terrier. Its tail wagged excitedly. The crowd chuckled and she concluded her short speech, never being one to hog the spotlight. She limped back down to the steps with her plaque and her little dog and sat at the skirted table, decorated with flowers and name plates for all the Queen Contest judges.

"They're all just so pretty," Peggy said as she followed the other judges out of the arena and into a back room of the exhibit hall.

The fifteen Queen contestants aged seventeen and below had answered their interview questions, walked, twirled and smiled one by one until they had all been presented to the judges and audience. She was the lead judge for the contest. Once the five judges entered the deliberation room they were not to leave until they had chosen a queen and three duchesses.

"So shall we begin?" Peggy said as they took their seats. Pippy hopped into the folding chair next to her and let out a bark of approval.

"Can I have a five minute break first? I need to powder my nose," said Opal Chandler. She was the wife of the wealthiest rancher in town.

"Well, we aren't supposed to leave until we're done but I suppose a quick bathroom break won't hurt," she said.

They dispersed and regathered ten minutes later.

"Alright, is everyone ready now?" Peggy said.

"How should we start?" Cole Shelton asked from the snack table in the back. The large man was filling a paper plate with chips, queso and brownies.

"I don't know, what would y'all like to do?" Peggy said.

"Oh, and there's limeade," he said.

"Fresh from Mama Marta," Karin Garcia said. Mama Marta was her mother and had a great reputation around the county for her cafe and catering.

"Well, I think we should just start with everyone choosing their favorite and least favorite and we can deliberate from there," said Myron Berger. He was the most vibrant of the bunch in a pearl snap shirt and tight wranglers. However, his hair was combed too nicely to have ever seen a hat or full day's work.

Peggy approved. She watched as everyone wrote down the names of their favorites and least favorite girls. Peggy didn't have an opinion on the matter, she thought they were all beautiful and poised.

"I'll tally the votes," she volunteered once pens went down. She hoped to abstain from giving an opinion.

Sarah McLothlan, Bella Domingo, Ellie Moore and Avery Schulen were all listed as favorites. The least favorites were three counts for Lauren Crowder and one for Hilda James. Peggy didn't know what to do next, she had hoped everyone would have liked the same girl.

"Well, it's obvious Lauren's not gonna be our queen this year," Myron said.

"I guess we need to throw out Hilda James too," Cole said.

"Well what does everyone think of little miss Sky Williams?" Opal asked. "A living doll, such an angel."

"Her house got washed away in the Blanco river flood you know?" Myron said.

"They've overcome so much this year, so brave," Karin added.

"I know," Opal agreed. "Her mother's a little cooky, I mean naming a person after the atmosphere but such a sweet sweet girl," she said.

They took a moment of silence, broken softly by Karin.

"Peggy, I don't think we got your vote," Karin said.

"I'm waiting to be a tie-breaker if we need one," Peggy said.

"I think we need one, honey," said Myron. Peggy looked around the room at their expectant faces. Looked at the names of the girls on their roster, their headshots next to the names.

"They were all so pretty, and eloquent," she said. She was panicking. Why was it left solely up to her to pick the queen of the Blanco County Rodeo?

Opal cleared her throat, "We have everyone's queen picks, why don't we also list out our duchess picks and see who shows up the most?" Opal said to an agreeable jury.

Several minutes later, Peggy was still staring at a blank page in front of her as everyone else passed their sheets down to her. Based on the votes from four out of five judges, the top girls were set. The rodeo court would be Sarah, Bella, Avery and Sky Williams knocking Ellie out of the running. Sarah was third runner up and Avery was second earning them the titles of duchess complete with crowns.

To Peggy's horror, there was a tie. Bella and Sky had shown up with equal importance on the ballot sheets. She would still have to make a decision.

"Well, what do y'all think?" Peggy asked.

"We already told you," Cole said before crunching loudly on a queso covered tortilla chip.

They went through their applications, their extracurriculars, jobs and backgrounds. Next thing Peggy knew, Opal and Myron were in a heated argument on who had the more valid role model.

"Laura Bush is a goddess of a Texan!" Opal said rising from her chair. "She reads to children, writes books, goes on humanitarian trips to-"


"You can't even compare the two - Barbara Streisand is a triple threat at least. She's the EGOT! Does Laura Bush have the EGOT?"

"I have no idea what you're saying young man, but I can assure you, Laura Bush has no such thing," Opal said.

This argument went on for some time. Peggy pondered actually speaking up, giving a deciding vote, but hesitated. What if she were wrong? She was merely a spectator nervously waiting for them to come to a final decision that didn't require a tie breaker. Everyone was involved, heated and passionate, until finally they decided on a queen, Ellie Moore. Bella, Sky and a girl named Mary Phillips would be duchesses.

"Then it's decided," said Cole.

"Peggy, you can record our final vote."

"What did we decide?"

"Ellie as Queen, runners up Bella, Sky and Mary respectively," Cole said.

"Oh good. It says here, we have to do an official vote for the record," she said. Peggy scanned the room expectantly.

"So..." Cole began. The whole room eyed Peggy, ready for her to lead them in a vote. They were growing impatient with her. They were restless, cooped up in the deliberation room. The judges were ready to get back to the fair and rodeo festivities.

"You want to take the vote?" Cole said.

"Oh, yes, of course," Peggy said. Her mind went blank. She shuffled the papers that had collected in a pile in front of her and found her place.

"All in favor of Avery Schulen for queen say 'aye.'"

Confused looks were exchanged, shrugs were shared.

"Aye!" the judges said in unison.

"All in favor of Ellie Moore for first duchess?"

"Aye!"

"Sarah for second duchess?"

"Aye!"

"Mary for third duchess?"

"Aye!"

The court was finally approved, though it wasn't exactly who the judges had chosen.

Peggy and Mona always met for coffee on Monday mornings to catch up on the gossip that happened that weekend and to discuss who wore what to church the day before. They met at the same booth away from the air vent and in front of the window so they had a good view of the town square without being subject to a draft. It was Mona's favorite spot in town. Therefore, it was Peggy's also.

They had plenty to talk about since the conclusion of the rodeo. Peggy shared her experience of judging the queen contest and listed who ate lunch with whom after church. Mona debated at length who had the prettiest dress and hair, deciding in the end it was Bella with the prettiest hair style and Avery with the prettiest dress.

"That Hilda though, what was that? Back in our day the dresses weren't quite so, sheer," Mona said. She shook her head in disgust.

"It really has been quite a few years," Mona said. They sipped their coffee together, letting the memories they shared set in. The golden window light was warm and comfortable, as Peggy liked to keep her life. Mona sighed, deep in thought and looked back at her friend, proud.

"Well, Peggy, you always seem to be at the center of the news and decision making in this town. You know, Klaus and I are getting ready to do some traveling at the end of my council term in November," Mona said. "Got the RV all ready." She took a sip of her decaf coffee, leaving a pink lip print on the rim of the cup.

Peggy waited and listened, a soft smile rested on her face.

"You know, I think you'd be perfect to run for my spot on the city council," said Mona. Peggy smiled and agreed.