Dumpster Dying by Lesley A. Diehl

Author:Lesley A. Diehl [Diehl, Lesley A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781610090063
Publisher: Oak Tree Press
Published: 2011-05-17T21:00:00+00:00

“No, I’ll take the pull-out,” said Clara. “You and Naomi can stay put in your room, Darren in the guest room, and me here.” She pointed to the couch.

Naomi, Emily, and Clara stood in the living room of Emily’s park model and discussed the sleeping arrangements. The conversation had gone on for several minutes. Someone rapped on the front door.

“Hi. It’s me, Vicki. I heard you pull in and then saw your lights on. What’s up?” Her glance ran up and down Clara first, then turned to Emily. “The two of you look like you tangled with barbed wire, but you, Clara, you must have been bundled in it and thrown in the back of a truck.”

“Naw. It wasn’t as bad as that. Someone shot at us, that’s all,” Clara said.

Since Clara’s comment necessitated their telling Vicki all about the incident at the club, Emily decided to make coffee. Vicki scuttled back home for some rolls she had bought at the store. Soon the four women were sitting around Emily’s table and discussing the evening.

“What are you going to do?” asked Vicki. Her facial expression changed from horror to excitement and back again.

“Sleep,” said Emily. She stretched her arms and yawned. “If we can figure out where.”

“Someone can stay at my place,” said Vicki. “My husband is usually out on the course by eight every morning. He’ll never even notice if there’s anyone else in the house.”

“Thanks, Vicki, but there’s plenty of room here. People will need to be flexible and move around a bit,” Emily said.

After Vicki left, Clara remained immovable when it came to the couch. When she insisted that she wouldn’t stay unless she got the couch, Emily relented, opened it for her, and she and Naomi headed for the back bedroom.

As tired as she was, Emily remained awake, waiting for Darren’s return. By six in the morning, he hadn’t shown up. Emily tiptoed out to the living room to check on Clara.

“I’m still awake, waiting for Darren, like you.” Clara swept her hand through her tangled curls. “He’s a resourceful young man, but he’s also one for finding trouble, like Eddie.”

“Like father, like son?” said Emily, then regretted saying it. “I didn’t mean to imply he’d end up in prison like his dad.”

“Never mind. I wonder what he’s gotten himself into this time. I hate to admit it, but the kid’s not very reliable. He’s lost more jobs than I’ve applied for. I’m sorry to cause you all this worry.” Clara rolled over, but Emily didn’t believe she was sleeping. Emily dragged herself back to the king-sized bed and Naomi’s soft snoring.

At eight in the morning, Emily awoke to the smell of coffee brewing. Naomi slept curled in a tight ball beside her. Who made the coffee?

“I’m in the other bedroom,” said Clara.

Emily peeked in on her. “How did you manage the coffee pot?” she asked.

Clara had Darren’s backpack out on the bed and was searching through it with her good hand, pulling items out of the zippered pockets and dumping them onto the bed.

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