Annie Year

Finalist for the Minnesota Book AwardTall, trusted Tandy Caide, CPA, is a long-time patron of the arts in her town, which is why you will find her sitting in the front row of the high schools annual musical production. This year is an Annie yearand it would be no different than other years were it not for the high schools hiring of a new vocational agriculture (Vo-Ag) teacher. With his beguiling ponytail and decorative beaded belt, Kenny catches Tandys eye immediately. Ignoring the fact of her slovenly husbandwho takes most of his meals in their hot tubTandy decides to entertain Kennys advances.Trusted community pillar that she is, Tandys affair has instant repercussions. People are talking and her husbands subsequent breakdown and check-in to a mental institution doesnt help. At her regular meeting with the Order of the Pessimistscomprised of her deceased fathers disgruntled and drunken best friendsshe is asked to step down as treasurer. Not only that, but her old lover is keeping a secret somehow connected to the Vo-Ag teacher. And meth labsfueled by the abundance of fertilizer present in the regionkeep blowing up. Somehow, it is all connected to Tandys ex-bestfriends daughterthe star of this years Annie. As Tandy pieces together the puzzle that has become her life, it becomes clear she must embark on a journey of self-discovery that might even include leaving town for good.