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Shirlene
I wake up and hear someone in the house. Cam and Hattie are back. I intend to apologize to Cam for throwing him out with Tristen. It was a mistake, but I was angry with the both of them for fighting and upsetting Arlene. I toss on a bathrobe and hurry down. I find Hattie alone, making tea in the kitchen.
“Where’s Cam?”
“On his way to Rehoboth Beach. He packed up what he needed and left.”
My heart sinks. “Why didn’t you wake me up when you brought him here?”
“He asked me not to.”
“He didn’t say goodbye.” Even though I just woke up, I’m exhausted and plop into a kitchen chair.
Hattie pours two glasses of orange juice. “It’s not permanent. The boy is confounded. Being at the ocean will comfort him.” She sets a glass in front of me. “I saw the roses in a vase on the dining room table.”
My hand flies up to my mouth. “Did Cam notice them?”
“If he did, he didn’t say anything.”
“It seemed a waste to throw them out. I’m sure they were expensive.” I drag myself out of the chair and open the refrigerator door. “How about some scrambled eggs?”
“Sure.” She glides into the dining room and smells the roses. “Mind if I read the note?”
I laugh. “Tell me you didn’t already read it while I was asleep.”
“Guilty as charged.”
“Ha. So much for privacy.” I whip the eggs and transfer them into the pan.
“Are you going to use the number he wrote on the card?” She comes to the kitchen table and pours our tea. “Are you going to have dinner with him?”
“Why the hell would I go to dinner with a man I’ve never met and pretend to be someone I’m not?” I lower the fire and stir the eggs.
“Sounds fun.”
“Sounds exhausting to me.”
After I dish out the eggs and grab the salt and pepper shakers, I join Hattie.
“So, when did the roses arrive?” Hattie digs in.
“A little after I settled Arlene back down. She was so upset by those two foolish men fighting in the foyer. I noticed Cam’s car remained in the driveway, and his keys were on the hall table. When I went outside to find him, a florist truck arrived with the roses from Tristen.”
“The poor man. Aimee’s dead.”
“I can’t very well tell him that, so I have to break his heart by calling off our engagement.” I swallow a bite of my eggs.
“It’s not going to be easy.” Hattie adds sugar to her tea. “So, what’s this guy look like?”
“He’s tall.”
“That’s it?”
“He has red hair and a close-cut beard.”
Hattie nods. “Ahh, a ginger.”
“Whatever his hair color, I have to write Tristen a letter to break it off, but I have no idea where to send it.”
“You need to tell him in person.” Hattie insists.
“Why?”
“A Dear John letter? It’s cruel.”
“I suppose.”
Hattie finishes her eggs and carries her empty plate to the dishwasher. “You can gain some information from this guy.”
“Like what?” I push my remaining eggs around the plate with my fork.
“Well, for one thing, why didn’t Tristen come back with Aimee when she became so depressed she left their tour?” Hattie takes my plate and rinses it. “When she needed him most, he kept with the tour. What kind of fiancé does that?”
I join Hattie at the sink and wash the frying pan. “Knowing the little I do about Aimee, she likely insisted he not break his contract.”
“But why wasn’t he in touch?” Hattie sits.
“I have no idea what happened to her phone after the stroke. Because I couldn’t communicate, it was ignored. I assume it’s among her belongings at her apartment. He could have been texting like crazy, worried sick.”
Hattie leans on the kitchen table, with her chin resting in her left hand and her long fingers framing her cheek. Her eyes sparkle. “We should go over to Aimee’s apartment and search for the phone.”
“For what purpose?”
“We’d learn if Tristen tried to be in touch. We’d see what kind of romantic things he wrote.”
“Hattie, you’re incorrigible. And nosy.”
“Enquiring minds want to know.”
“You’re enjoying this Peyton Place more than I am.”
Hattie’s throaty laugh makes me smile. “Touché.”
“I want things back to normal—well, my peculiar normal. I have another new body to adjust to, but I’m back with Arlene.” I slide into my chair. “And I hope I haven’t lost Cam.”
“Speaking of Cameron, when he stayed with me, he was worked up that Aimee never told him about being engaged to Tristen. We could find out why Aimee kept this from Cameron.”
“How are we going to solve that mystery at Aimee’s apartment?” I ask.
“The phone texts, or we might find a journal.”
“I suppose it would be helpful to Cam if he understood why Aimee didn’t tell him.”
“You ought to go out to dinner with him.”
“How? He’s gone to the shore.” I put away the salt and pepper shakers.
“Not Cameron. Tristen.”
“Are you out of your mind?” I slam the cabinet door.
“It’s the kinder thing to do. Break it off with him as gently as you can, but get some answers to our questions.”
“Your questions.”
“Come on, Shirlene. What’s happened to your sense of adventure?”
“I’m so tired.”
“Are you taking Aimee’s antidepressants?”
I bite my lip. “Yes, but I discussed cutting back the dosage with her doctor. I thought I could handle things differently than Aimee.”
“Because you’re a superwoman or something?” Hattie’s voice rises.
“Okay. I’ll be in touch with the doctor.”