~ Jenna ~
“How are you holding up?” Mom asks when she comes back into the office after her talk with Jack.
She’s carrying two large cups of coffee from the Briar Patch. I could hug her even though this is my fourth cup this morning.
“After last night, I’m pretty sure I’ll need hourly doses of caffeine if I’m going to make it through the day. Thanks for providing the caffeine infusion. Did you tell Jack everything that transpired last night after we got checked into the hotel?”
Yesterday seemed like a week ago. Everything that happened between last night in the suite and this morning seems like a day in itself. Meanwhile, this day feels like each minute is month-long, since I’ve been fighting the urge to put my head down on my desk.
The look on my mother’s face instantly perks me up.
“I did and he is going to follow up on the leads. But first, he’s overseeing the alarm installation at the house and then he and I are taking a drive to Spartanburg.”
“That sounds romantic,” I say.
“Not really. It’s official police business. Have you ever heard of Honey Mountain Farm?”
I shake my head and she shares the beehive frame news she heard from Jack.
“That sounds like a substantial break in the case,” I say. “They might be able to tell you who purchased the hive. Is that what it’s called? I don’t know anything about beekeeping.”
“I don’t either,” Mom says. “But at least we have a place to start.”
“Did you happen to ask Jack about the surveillance video? That should shed some light on whether or not Olivia left the note like she said she did. It might even show us how she got the frame and box up to Kellen’s suite.”
“Or if not her, it might show whoever did it. Right now, it could’ve been anyone.”
“I’ve pretty much narrowed it down to Olivia, Tom and/or Bella. Or do you think that creepy stalker fan might have somehow gotten wind of her being in town and followed her here?”
“I don’t know. I’m not so sure Olivia is at the top of my list, after hearing about the settlement. If she walked away with that much money, why would she want Kellen dead?”
“Come on,” I say. “This is Olivia we’re talking about. I’ve never known her to be satisfied with anything.”
Mom shrugs. “A half-million is a rather good stipend to tide her over while she’s building her career. What good would it do her if Kellen were dead?”
“Satisfaction? I have no idea. But she was at the hotel. She has such a temper, which was pretty evident when she showed up at the house the other night. I’m still trying to figure out why MJ called her.”
The office door swings open and MJ is standing there. “I called her because I didn’t think it was right for everyone to talk about her when she wasn’t able to defend herself.”
My heart leaps into my throat and I wonder how long she had been standing there.
“MJ, I didn’t realize you were stopping by,” says Mom, whose tone is much kinder than I’m inclined to be.
My lack of sleep has me on edge, making me want to ask her what gives her the right to lurk in hallways and eavesdrop on conversations happening behind closed doors.
MJ’s nostrils flare. “Obviously not. But I see you’re still talking about people.”
“Some would say it just as rude to listen in on a private conversation.” I make no effort to hide my irritation. “And where is Alicia?”
“She was with a customer,” MJ says. “So, I showed myself back.”
“Yes, you did, didn’t you?” I turn my back on her and focus on my computer screen before I say something else to get myself in trouble.
“Have a seat, MJ?” Mom asks. “What brings you downtown this morning?”
“I wanted to talk to you about having a memorial get together for Kellen.”
“Oh, that’s nice,” Mom says.
“I thought it could be the old writers’ group. I’m happy to host it at my place. Since it would be July fourth, I thought maybe we could have a potluck cookout and then come downtown to watch the fireworks. I know it’s not a conventional solemn memorial, but I think Kellen would appreciate it. I can’t see her wanting us to sit around all weepy—”
MJ gets choked up on the words, and I don’t have to turn around to realize she’s crying. I feel bad for speaking so sharply to her—even if it wasn’t right for her to eavesdrop. I think we’re all a little upset over Kellen’s death. Some of us show it in different ways.
I grab the box of tissue off my desk and turn around to offer it to her, but I see that Mom is a step ahead of me. Tissue is never in short supply in the shop. Usually, it’s for happy, emotional, finding the perfect wedding dress moments, but it comes in handy for occasions like this too.
MJ is crying with her head in her hands. I shoot Mom an apologetic look before I turn around to my computer.
After a long moment, MJ blows her nose. “I’m sorry, Maddie. I’m just so upset over what’s happened to Kellen. This was supposed to be such a happy weekend with us all getting back together and catching up. I had no idea that we would end up saying goodbye to our friend.”
She sniffles and rubs her arms, which are covered by the long sleeves of her yellow blouse. She catches me looking at her, stiffens and says, “I’ve been so upset over this ordeal, it is making my eczema go haywire. I itch so bad. Believe me no one chooses to wear a turtleneck in summer. I’m just miserable. But my skin is so ugly, I’d be more miserable showing my ugly rash in public. I should probably stay home, but if I do, all I do is think of poor Kellen.”
She swipes at a tear, sniffles again.
“Oh, Maddie, I should probably let you and the other girls know I have invited Olivia to the memorial. She hasn’t given me a definite answer yet, but I feel confident she’ll come.”
I slant a glance at my mom, but she has her poker face firmly in place. I know the only way she can maintain it is to not look at me.
“That’s wonderful, MJ.” My mom sounds sincere. “If she does, it will be nice for us all to come together again. It’s just a shame it has to be under these circumstances.”
MJ nods and looks like she might start crying again.
Since the get together is at MJ’s house she can invite anyone she wants. I just hope Olivia won’t cause drama and turn the event that’s supposed to help us find closure into the Olivia show. She’s always been good at doing that.
Then again, if Olivia is guilty, I wonder if she will at least have the grace not to show.
MJ clears her throat. “Since Kellen’s husband is in Asheville, do you think we should invite him?”
“I’m not sure how long he’s planning on being here,” Mom says.
“Well, maybe we shouldn’t,” MJ says. “You know. On account of that movie star and all.”
It’s a blatant fishing question. MJ is so transparent. Obviously, the no gossiping rule applies to everyone but MJ and the person about whom she’s trying to extract information.
“Well, MJ, Tom told me he and Bella are just friends. He said they have known each other since high school. It is possible for a man and a woman to be friends.”
MJ clucks. “Well, if that’s what you want to believe. But I think it’s naive.”
“Why?” Mom asks. “What makes you say that?”
“Just look at you and Chief Bradley.”
“What about Chief Bradley and me?” Her voice sounds tighter and I have to turn around to watch this play out.
“You’re not going to tell me the two of you are still just friends.”
“Why? What makes you say that?”
“Oh, come on, Maddie. A handsome man like that? Why are you pretending?”
“Wait a minute,” Mom says. “We were talking about Bella Bellagio and Tom Corsi, which has nothing to do with my friendship with Chief Bradley. So, stick to the subject at hand, okay?”
“If you insist.” MJ sounds smug. I can only see her face in profile, but from what I can see, she’s not buying what Mom is trying to sell.
As they talk about Kellen’s memorial, there’s something in my mom’s tone that probably wouldn’t be detectable to anyone but me, but I’m hearing a note that hints that her relationship with Chief Bradley is changing. My stomach tightens as I listen to the words my mom is saying to MJ and try to reconcile them with the tone that sounds different.
I like Jack.
I want my mom to be happy.
I’ve been her biggest advocate when it comes to her getting closer to Jack. But she’s always put up a fair amount of resistance.
I guess what I’m feeling is I know as long as my mom believes my dad is still alive, she won’t allow herself to get romantically involved.
The day she decides to let go will be the day she officially accepts the fact my father is not coming back. It will be the day she officially lays him to rest in her heart.
She deserves to move on. I’m happy for her and Jackson. I would’ve handpicked him for her if I would’ve been the one to choose someone for her. But now that it’s happening, my heart breaks a little. She’s been the one that kept hope alive. Her hope allowed me to believe that someday my father would walk through that door with a tale of courage and wow everyone with the story of how he had been marooned on some faraway island and had been working this whole time to get back to us.
Mom moving on means I have to do the same.