No Stone Unturned: A Happy Camper Mystery by M. S. Peke

Author:M. S. Peke [Peke, M. S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Frost Free Media
Published: 2024-02-02T00:00:00+00:00

19

Winnie was packing for her day with Jen when the phone rang. A part of her was hoping it was Jen, calling their trip off. But it was only six thirty, and Winnie doubted Jen would call this early. She looked at the caller ID. Crap. It was her mother. Winnie liked her mother and enjoyed spending time with her, but sometimes she was a little bossy.

“Winona,” her mother began.

“Really, Mom, Winona? It’s Winnie. And it’s early.” Winnie shouldn’t have snapped, but she just couldn’t help herself. It was too early, and Winnie was still half asleep.

“Oh,” Sabrina said. “I’m sorry. I forgot about the time difference. But you seem to have forgotten our deal about calling every few days, and I get worried. And yes, I know you like being called Winnie. Winona is the name I use for you when I’m upset. I’m sorry about that, too. You’re a grown woman, and I’ll try to remember to treat you that way. But you’re still my little daughter and always will be.”

“What about Lexi? She’s your little daughter.”

Lexi Clemens was Winnie’s younger sister. Her name was really Electra, but everyone called her Lexi. Winnie felt Lexi was more like Mary Poppins—practically perfect in every way. Doctor, mother to a boy and girl, wonderful husband, nice home in her mother’s neighborhood, Lexi was the anti-Winnie.

“I know Lexi’s my daughter. But I see her almost every day. And I babysit Jake and Emma twice a week. Martin and I were just over there for a cookout. I wish you were still around so you could have gone, too. Everything would be better.”

“Maybe someday, Mom, but right now I’m where I belong.” Am I really?

“Anyway, dear, I just called to see how you are. Everything okay? How’s Patches? I miss him, too. And so do Jake and Emma. They keep asking about ‘funny’ Aunt Winnie and Patchy.”

“I miss everyone there. I wish I could’ve made it to the cookout, but how about if we Skype soon? I bet Jake and Emma are getting big.”

Sabrina huffed in the background. “Skype. I suppose it will have to do.”

Mom really has this guilt thing down. “Mom, I need to go. Patches needs to be walked.”

“Fine, dear. I’ll talk to you later. Just remember to call⁠—”

Winnie clicked off a little too soon, cutting her mom off. She was sure she’d hear about that later, but Patches really did need to go out, so the two of them went for a long walk. Winnie hated being compared to her sister. Her younger sister. But her mom made it a daily event, or at least it seemed that way. A family practice doctor, Electra had a doting husband, handsome and a big-shot corporate executive. Lexi’s kids seemed to have inherited the perfect gene, too. They were never a lick of trouble, and Winnie couldn’t remember a time when she heard anyone raise their voice at either of them.

Electra’s only complaint in life was her name. She never liked being called Electra.

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