Short Line to Death by Molly Flewharty

Author:Molly Flewharty
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: BookBaby
Published: 2019-08-01T18:30:07+00:00

CHAPTER 19

Billy asked Samantha to continue to act and plan events as she normally would under the sad circumstances. So, Samantha scheduled the remembrance luncheon for the Saturday after the viewing. Madeline was very curious to see Roberta’s natural habitat, as she referred to it. Tom insisted on driving her since he knew the way, explaining that it was easy to get lost.

Madeline was surprised by how pretty Roberta’s log house was. It was set near the lake, so there was plenty of sun. The front yard was a neat, lush lawn and the flower beds near the house had several white rhododendrons just beginning to shed their blooms as white peony buds were becoming visible. But she was astonished at the decor.

“Puppies and bunnies on decorative plates? The kind of sappy thing I could imagine Roberta making caustic remarks about. Don’t tell me that her bedroom is decorated in fantastically feminine pink and white lace and floral chintz,” Madeline said softly to Tom as they entered the living room.

“I assume you were expecting the Hansel and Gretel witch’s house and oven?”

“At least a house in the dark, dark woods covered in thorny vines. But this may be worse.”

The house was already full of the buzz of guests drinking, laughing and talking. The somber viewing was one thing, but a free lunch with alcohol was a totally different event. A bar had been set up on the kitchen pass-through. The long dining room table had ham, turkey, baked ziti, salad and bread next to plates and utensils. Since Samantha was busy talking to a young couple, they headed to the bar. Tony was pouring Fern a glass of wine as they approached.

“You really need to get a grip on yourself, Fern,” Tony said.

Fern sniffled. “I know. But I just can’t seem to stop crying,” she whimpered.

“Look, here’s Tom and his friend. Why don’t you talk to them?” Tony smirked and winked at Tom as he walked away.

Fern looked startled and sniffled again.

“How are you doing, Fern? I imagine it is difficult.” Madeline hoped she sounded sympathetic. Tom handed Madeline a drink and poured one for himself.

“Oh, sometimes I am fine. And then I think I should call Robbie to go out and eat or something, and then I remember she’s really gone for good and I don’t have a best friend anymore.” Tears streamed down her face.

“I am so sorry, Fern. Good friends are hard to come by.”

“Robbie always looked out for me. I didn’t always appreciate it because she was so bossy. But now I miss her so much.” She started to cry in earnest again. “Excuse me. I need to find a tissue.”

Madeline glanced into the kitchen through the pass-through and was surprised to see Billy taking a pie out of the oven. She tapped Tom on the arm to draw his attention to him.

Tom chuckled. “Billy set himself up near the bar. A great spot for eavesdropping,” he whispered to her.

Tom and Madeline moved toward Samantha and introduced themselves.

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