Dooley is Dead by Merrill Kathleen

Author:Merrill, Kathleen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Merlin-Janus Studio, Inc.
Published: 2016-06-22T00:00:00+00:00

TWENTY-TWO

Dinner with Mama…

A small notice in the local paper stated that Trevor Dula would be arraigned that coming Friday afternoon at the Iredell County Courthouse, and the news sent Ginny spiraling downward---more drinking, more cursing. Sometimes she and Perry seemed like soulmates, and Diana wasn’t sure which influence was teaching little Lissa to use foul language. Either way, Matthew did not approve, moved the parrot to the bedroom they shared, and warned his granddaughter to stay clear.

Then Wednesday night Lissa stepped into a fire ant hill, and the vicious little buggers stung her feet until she screamed in pain. Matthew went running for Club Soda, the sure-fire southern fire ant killer, and doused the mounds. Diana slathered Lissa’s toes with allergy cream, while Ginny fed her ice cream, but nothing would comfort the stricken child.

When torrential rains arrived the next day, Diana decided everyone, especially Lissa, needed a change of pace, so she invited the child to accompany her to dinner with Diana’s mother. Vivian lived at Shady Oaks Retirement Community in Statesville, and it was her habit to eat with Diana every Thursday night.

“You missed our date last week,” Mama scolded as she led Diana and Lissa into the Oaks dining room.

“Sorry, it was a busy time.”

“Yes, so you said.”

Diana heard the disapproval in Mama’s voice. They spoke on the phone most every day, so Diana had filled Viv in about Ginny, Lissa, and the family’s unlucky proximity to the Lori Fowler murder. Mama highly approved of Matthew and had long been encouraging Diana to take their romance to the next level, but she never anticipated the ready-made family. She hated Diana’s involvement with the sordid crime, that was a given, yet she was titillated by the idea of finally getting a great- granddaughter.

As they entered the airy dining room and moved towards Mama’s table, Lissa took Mama’s hand. The child had dressed all in pink for the occasion, from her dainty bow and lacey dress to her flip-flops.

“I got bit by fire ants.” Lissa pointed at her feet.

Mama frowned. She was a stockings and patent leather pumps type matriarch. “Yes, I see your toes are covered with little bumps. They must be quite painful.”

“They hurt like hell!” Lissa’s high-pitched voice carried all through the room.

“Watch your language, young lady.” Mama’s stare was cold as dry ice.

“Whoops, I’m sorry.” Lissa smiled, then skipped to where a distinguished-looking white haired gentleman was laughing and beckoning them to join him.

“Who’s he?” Diana was shocked to see a man at Mama’s table. He was a distinct rarity in that sea of elderly women.

Mama was proud as a peacock with a brand new egg. “If you bothered to visit, you would know that he is Lincoln Davis. We’ve been dining together for two weeks now.”

“Sounds serious,” Diana mumbled as the courtly fellow held out chairs for Vivian, Diana, and Lissa. “Is your name really Lincoln Davis?” she asked once they were seated.

Again the hearty laugh. “I’m afraid so. Mother was a Yankee and Father was a Reb, so they compromised with my name.

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