The Monarch Graveyard by James R. Nelson

Author:James R. Nelson [Nelson, James R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Amazon: B07W4S59RT
Goodreads: 47810234
Published: 2019-08-16T00:00:00+00:00

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Stephen was back in his room and was about to call his uncle, when the phone rang. It was Jeanette. He gripped the receiver tighter as she talked. Finally, he was able to speak. “What do you mean Cora’s gone?”

“For the time being. She stomped into Phillip’s office and told him she quit after Barbara accused her of stealing her earrings. Phillip was able to calm her down. Remember that trip her sister wanted her to take to that canyon in Canada?”

Stephen tried to remember. “No. I don’t think I heard about it.”

“Anyway, Phillip convinced Cora to let him buy her and her sister tickets for it. She’s going to use some of her vacation time. Phillip told her to check with him in a week or two to see if Barbara’s still here.”

“Who’s going to be doing the cooking?”

“I guess I will. Phillip said he’d pitch in, but I’ve never seen him cook anything other than eggs and maybe a toasted cheese sandwich.”

Stephen said, “I’m happy that Cora’s taking some time off, but I hope she’s not gone too long. Nobody cooks better than she does.”

“Well thank you for your vote of confidence.”

“Oh, wait! I didn’t mean that.”

She laughed. “I know. I’m just teasing you. But seriously, I don’t know how much more of this I can take. Something’s happened to Barbara. She’s never been this demanding. It’s like she’s a different person.”

“Is it her drinking? Is it getting worse?”

“I don’t think so. She always drank a lot, but she was a happy drunk. Now she seems nervous and out of control.”

“You’re going to have to have another talk with Phillip. Maybe now that Cora’s left because of her, he’ll listen this time.” Stephen paused. “I’ve been wondering. How’s your mother doing?”

“Not so good. We have a hospice nurse coming to the house now.”

Stephen heard her let out a little sob. “I’m sorry to hear that. I’ll be home as soon as I can. This shouldn’t take very long.”

“I wish you were here now. I could really use you here now. You promise you’ll be home soon, right?”

“Yes. I just have one more person I want to talk to.” He thought for a moment. “Maybe I’ll forget about it, and come home now. It sounds like Cliffside Manor’s falling apart.”

Jeanette sighed. “No sense rushing back. Nothing’s going to change in the next few days. I’m trying to stay as far away from Barbara as possible. I need to spend more time with my mother.”

“Yes. Take as much time as you can and spend it with her.” They talked for a few more minutes and then hung up. Stephen flopped down on the bed. Cora gone? He stared at the ceiling. His worst fear had just come true. Here he was, all the way across the country when Jeanette needed him the most.

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