Pity the Garage Sale Addict by Martha Kemm Landes

Author:Martha Kemm Landes [Landes, Martha]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Mystery, Broken Arrow, Chick-lit, Cozy Mystery, Tulsa Oklahoma, Romcomstery
Publisher: Martha Landes
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

I suggested my girls not go upstairs for a few days because I was working on a project.

Ree said, “How can I feed Iggy?”

“I’ll take care of her.”

She shrugged her shoulders happily and I asked, “You guys want to watch a movie?”

Of course, they said yes. We cleaned up the dinner mess, popped some popcorn, and got comfy to watch Wait Until Dark, happy we could stay up as late as we wanted.

Garage Sale Tip #12

Well-made signs don't ensure a good sale

The next morning, during a late breakfast of Eggo waffles, Marie said, “I forgot to tell you – yesterday, after orchestra, Matt Mason ran into my violin case and broke another string,” she said, rolling her eyes. “He's so clumsy and stupid.”

I said, “Let’s try not to call names. At least he didn’t sit on it like last time.”

“I guess,” she groaned.

Her sister teased, “I'll bet Matt was flirting with you.” More than likely, Ren was right. Ree is a beautiful girl who is tall and thin with a heart-shaped face. I’m sure there are lots of boys interested in her, but she's just got so much on her mind that she doesn’t even think about them seriously yet, which is totally fine with me.

Ree said, “Eew, gross!” She looked as if she smelled burnt broccoli - or any broccoli, in her case. She continued, “If the destruction of my property is how he’ll get my attention, he’s wrong.”

“Good girl, Ree.” I rinsed my plate, put the syrup away, and asked, “Which string was it?”

“D.”

“OK, I'll see if I have one.” I ran upstairs to my instrument stash, where I have kept my instrument parts ever since I taught band and orchestra at a middle school when my girls were tiny.

I looked around at command central and smiled to think how I have friends who would actually help me to solve this mystery. They could have just blown me off.

The list of possible Patty Sues lay next to the yearbook. I would study them when I got home from my second job tonight.

I dug through the instrument repair drawer, past cakes of rosin, tiny screwdrivers, reeds, key pads, valve oil, and other instrument parts. I finally found a packet with a coiled D string. I purchased most of the stuff from a music store that went out of business. It was sad to lose the store but good for my supply.

Back downstairs, I held the violin at arm’s length and squinted as I tightened the new string. If you've ever been popped in the face with a taut wire string, you learn to be careful. After I tuned all four stings with the piano, I said in a hick accent, “Here’s your fiddle, kid. You should have plenty of time to practice over this long weekend.”

“Yeah, I will,” she said, but I knew I'd have to prod her to get it to happen.

I added, “Since I'm working at Tulsa Opinions tonight, are you going to Caitlyn's or your dad's?”

“Both.

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