July 4. Independence Day. Hours before my incident with Simon, Chad, and Anthony in room 202. The inn became quiet during the daylight hours. Festive events were taking place in downtown Templeton which removed and distracted the guests from the property. The center roads of downtown were closed, and an extravaganza unfolded. Sponsored by Redtack Motors, raffles for two Jeeps drew Templetonites’ attentions, as well a bake sale by the First Lutheran Church, headed once again by Lucy Mae Bishop-Bahkman, who just happened to be killing it. Colorful clowns painted children’s cheeks with exploding fireworks. The American flag waved left and right. High-browed, astute, and dashing Marines proudly saluted their military buddies. The area encompassed bodies, shoulder to shoulder thick, of celebrat
