Murder in the Paperback Parlor by Ellery Adams

Author:Ellery Adams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2015-05-30T16:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

Jane was perched on a stool reviewing Friday’s menu when the twins burst into the kitchens.

“Mom, I made you something!” Fitz unzipped his backpack and dug around inside. He pulled out a pink construction paper heart with a white doily fringe. “I wrote a poem for you. Its says, ‘Roses are red, cold lips are blue, and there’s no cooler mom than you.’”

Jane examined the wobbly handwriting and felt her eyes grow moist with tears. “Oh, honey. I love it.”

“I made one too,” Hem said, stepping in front of his brother. His heart was purple and white. “It says, ‘Roses are red, the summer sky is blue, and I will always love you.’”

Jane enfolded her sons in her arms. She inhaled their boyish scent of soap, rubber cement, and Rice Krispie Treats.

“Did you celebrate a birthday at school?” she asked. “I smell marshmallows. In someone’s hair. Again.”

Fitz and Hem pulled back and exchanged astonished glances.

“Good nose, Mom,” Fitz said.

“It was Lacy’s birthday and we had treats at recess, so we’re already hungry,” Hem said. “Can we have a snack?”

Jane nodded. “Go wash your hands. Mrs. Hubbard has been waiting to show you her work of art.”

The boys jostled each other on the way to the sink. Just when Jane was about to scold them for squabbling, Mrs. Hubbard placed a pair of ruby-red dishes on the counter. “Take a seat, boys. I want to hear all about your day.”

The twins hurriedly finished their ablutions and reached into their book bags for a second time.

“Surprise!” they shouted and presented Mrs. Hubbard with a handful of tissue paper flowers tied with a piece of yarn. The stems were creased and the flowers had been thoroughly squashed at the bottom of their bags, but Mrs. Hubbard didn’t seem to notice.

“You darlings!” she cried, as though she’d been given a precious gem. After kissing each boy on the cheek, she said, “I’ll put these in my best vase. Be right back.”

Jane was continuously amazed by Mrs. Hubbard’s creativity. She’d cut honeydew, cantaloupe, and strawberries into heart shapes and loaded them onto a bamboo skewer. The fruit shish kebabs were laid next to a bowl of homemade yogurt dip.

“I smell honey,” Fitz said and plunged the top of his kebab into the dip.

Mrs. Hubbard returned with a remarkably improved bouquet. The tissue blossoms had been fluffed and the stems were now supported by green pipe cleaners and floral wire. “These are going to have pride of place in the kitchen,” she declared, still beaming.

The twins devoured their snack, carried their plates to the sink, and slung their bags over their shoulders.

“Do you have homework?” Jane asked as the three of them struck out for their house.

“Just reading,” Hem said.

“For twenty minutes,” Fitz added. “That means we’re free until bedtime because we always read before we go to sleep.”

Jane shot her son a sideways glance. “Do comic books count as homework reading?”

Fitz sighed. “No. Miss Bedelia wants us to read books about love.”

Hem made a gagging noise and Fitz stuck his finger in his mouth and rolled his eyes.

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