by CeeCee James
“Hey,” Elise shrugged off her jacket and hung it up on one of the hooks in the back office. She set the umbrella on the floor and then checked her hair in the mirror next to the door. Dry shampoo for the win! She walked back out into the office area. “How are you feeling, today?”
“Better,” Sue said.
“Dr. Gregory already here?”
“Yep. He actually beat me in today.”
“Hey, ladies!” came a deep voice from the back room. Stomping sounds next, and then the short chiropractor came through the push door. He grinned as he saw Elise. “How’s the marathon training going?”
That’s how Elise met Dr. Gregory. She’d wrenched her back a few weeks before the half-marathon that she’d trained for months for. He’d adjusted her spine and ribs, and after a few sessions, she was back to normal.
They’d discussed all sorts of aspects about training. He’d been running marathons for years so he had lots of good tips. And when the job had opened up, she’d applied without hesitation.
But now the marathon question made her groan. “I haven’t been out running for a while,” she admitted.
“You’ll get back into it. When this weather’s better,” he nodded confidently.
“How are you going to convince your patients to lie down on a table when it’s this cold in here?” Elise asked, shivering.
His grin got wider. “Now, don’t get jealous, but I have a portable generator. It’s running a space heater back there.” As he mentioned it, Elise could hear the low rumble of the machine.
“I am jealous,” Elise said, blowing into her hands. She hurried back to her jacket and retrieved a pair of gloves from the pocket. Her cute ones that she’d purchased specifically for the ice rink.
Dr. Gregory eyed them as she returned to the office. “Er. You guys can come back if you get too cold. Sue, when’s our last appointment?”
Sue turned to scan the calendar, her hair flipping slightly. “Looks like three o’clock.”
“Okay, so ladies, we just need to last until then. Think you can do it? We’ll close shop after that.” he said. “No need to suffer in case the phone rings.”
The receptionists nodded.
Great! I can take Lucy driving even earlier. Elise walked to her seat. Waiting for her in the chair was a red-and-green striped fleece throw.
“I brought blankets,” Sue said. “I thought you might like one.”
“You are so awesome!” Elise immediately wrapped up in the blanket. She took a sniff, enjoying the floral fabric-softener scent. “Wow, I’m impressed! It’s so clean, too. My blankets are always covered in cat hair.”
“I’m feeling left out! Where’s mine?” Dr. Gregory asked.
“Aw, I feel bad!” Sue said. “I didn’t bring you one.” The petite brunette made a sad face.
He chuckled. “I’m just kidding. Like I said, I’ve got the space heater. You guys enjoy your blankets. I actually needed to come out to cool down, anyway. It’s so hot back there, I’m practically sweating.”
Elise rolled her eyes.
The bell over the door rang and the day’s first patient came in. Dr. Gregory greeted her. Then, first with a flicker, the lights flashed on, making everyone in the room cheer.
“Power’s back!” Elise yelled. She laughed at herself. Great job stating the obvious.
“Mrs. Letterman,” Dr. Gregory said to the patient, “You must be our good luck charm. Perfect timing. Come on back.”
At noon, soon after the last patient for that morning left, Elise gathered her stuff up to go.
“You have lunch plans?” Sue asked.
“Yeah. Do you remember my friend, Lavina? She’s helping me get ready for the wedding. I’m going to try to get together with her for lunch. What about you?”
“Wait, what’s this? Did you guys finally set a date?”
“We did. Three weeks from now.” Elise laughed at how Sue widened her eyes. “We’re not crazy. I think it’s half that we’re easy going, and half that I’m ready to just get it over with.”
“Oh yeah. Move on to the honeymoon,” Sue said with a wink.
Elise paused. The honeymoon? I completely forgot about that. What are we going to do? And there’s Lucy….
“Did I say something wrong?” Sue asked.
“What? Oh, no. You made me realize we’d never even discussed a honeymoon. I think I’m terrible at this getting married thing.”
“It’ll work out. These things always do. And what doesn’t work out will turn into the best memory. At least that’s what I’ve heard, from all those bridezilla TV shows. Who knows when I’ll get married.”
“You’re so young. Take your time and remember it’s okay to be choosy,” Elise said. “I sure wish I’d been choosy my first time. I made a huge mistake and let someone in my heart that wasn’t good for me. And it was hard to admit that.”
“But now things are all better.”
Elise laughed. “Not perfect, but yes, a million times better. And Brad’s my best friend. I mean, what more can I ask?”
“It’s nice to have someone have your back.”
“He really does.”
“Speaking of having someone’s back,” she hesitated. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something. I have a huge favor to ask of you, actually.”
“Really?” Elise couldn’t imagine what Sue could possibly ask for that would be so huge. “What?”
Sue picked at the front of her shirt. She cleared her throat.
“Just ask,” Elise coaxed. “It can’t be that bad.”
“Oh, it is.” Sue bit her lip. “So, uh, my sister is out of town. She’s visiting her boyfriend.”
“Okay?”
“Well, there’s a family get-together tomorrow night. I never go to these without my sister.” She nervously squeezed her hands together. “I know that sounds weird. It’s not like my mom is mean or anything. But she’s sharp. And when I’m around her all by myself, I’m the recipient of all the prickles.”
“So, you want me there—”
“Just to be my back-up. You know, my wingman, so to speak.” She gave a self-deprecating chuckle and tucked her hair behind an ear. “I know, that seems silly, but my mom gets me so upset, my stomach gets in knots. I just can’t do it alone.”
“They won’t mind me coming? Will they see my presence as an intrusion?”
“I don’t think so. I hate to ask, but I’m desperate. It probably has to do with Uncle Roger’s death so I can’t just put her off.”
Elise felt horrible at the anxiety in her friend’s face. She couldn’t relate. Her mom had always supported her, and was the best cheerleader she’d ever had, especially after the divorce. What Sue must be going through to ask this.…
“Of course,” Elise agreed. “I’d be happy to.”
Sue grinned then, looking like a huge weight had lifted from her. That fueled Elise’s suspicions even more.
What kind of family is this?
Chapter 7
Elise followed Sue out of the clinic. It was still sprinkling. Elise shivered under her jacket. “I’ll see you later, okay?” she called as she ran for her car.
While she waited for the Geo to warm up, she pulled out her phone. Okay, first things first. Elise quickly texted Lavina—On my way to Grandma Babes. I’m starving. Want to meet me?
Lavina texted back—What about the protein bars?
Elise snorted— You eat them. I need real food.
—Fine, I’m on my way. You better be ready to make decisions. Or at least let me make them.
Elise shook her head. The way that Lavina was carrying on, you’d think it was her getting married.
She put the car into drive, feeling her frown lines deepen.
Got to stop making faces like that. Those wrinkles will be permanent. What is going on with Lavina though? She’s always been bossy, but she’s taking it to a whole new level.
Traffic in town was hardly better than yesterday, despite the fact that the traff
ic lights were now working. Elise could feel the tension building when she passed the construction signs. They were installing wreaths on the street lights. Always something. She found a spot right in front of the restaurant, under the cheery red-striped awning, and parked.
The power returning seemed to have called all the residents out for a hot meal, and the restaurant was packed. Elise glanced around for an empty table when an arm shaking in the air caught her attention.
She walked over to where Lavina was already sitting. “Hey. Where did you park? I didn’t see your car?”
“Mr. G. dropped me off. I’ll have you know I canceled lunch plans with him to meet you today.”
“Aw, you didn’t need to do that. I don’t want to put you out. Like I said, I’m just aiming for simple.”
A waitress wearing a blinking Christmas light necklace, showed up with two menus. Rather than look through them, Elise and Lavina ordered their favorites.
“And a glass of sweet tea!” Lavina added.
“Make that two. Is Grandma Babe working today?” Elise handed back her menu.
“She certainly is. Have you ever seen this place open without her?” the waitress asked.
Elise smiled. “Would you ask her if she has a free minute could she please come to our table?”
“I’ll definitely let her know.” The waitress left, her shoes squeaking on the old linoleum floor.
Lavina hardly waited for the waitress to walk away before she started in. “I have an appointment for a dress fitting with Stella at twelve-thirty this Friday. And flowers. What do you think of white roses? I think that would be divine for a winter wedding. As far as a menu, I was thinking roast turkey with all the fixings would fall into a winter season theme. I’ve contacted—”
“Wait! Hold up. What on earth is going on with you?”
“With me?” Lavina’s eyebrows drew together in confusion. “What on earth is wrong with you? You’re just sitting there, like a bump on a log, not taking any of this seriously.”
“Look, all I’m saying is I don’t want you to stress about the wedding.”
“Well, apparently someone has to, or nothing will get done!” Lavina’s cool tone held an edge that Elise wasn’t used to hearing directed at her.
Just as she was about to respond, a cheery “Welcome, Ladies!” came from her left. Dressed in pink polyester pants with a large floral apron, Grandma Babe walked up to their table. “I heard you wanted to talk to me?”
The little old lady rested a wrinkled hand on Elise’s shoulder. Her white hair seemed airy with its puffed curls. “You missing those Wednesday baskets?”
Elise recovered quickly and smiled up at the owner. “Best food I had in years. You had Brad spoiled and now I have to live up to it.”
Laughter in the form of a soft wheeze came from the woman as her face scrunched into a hundred laugh wrinkles. “Oh, I’m sure you’ll do just fine.”
Elise couldn’t help smiling back. “Thanks for coming out. I hope this isn’t too personal, but I wanted to talk to you about something. I heard that the restaurant was being threatened? That it might close?”
Now Grandma Babe’s face looked sad. Her eyes drooped like a Precious Moments figurine. “Yes, that’s true. My grandson’s up here from Alabama trying to lend me a hand to salvage what I can.”
“Is there nothing that can be done?” Elise asked.
“Not unless you can come up with a hundred grand. I have a balloon payment due at the end of the month.”
Lavina gasped.
“It’s that darn loan I got a few years ago. I took out an equity loan when the kitchen flooded and needed to be remodeled. Worst decision of my life. Mr. Hamilton had assured me that I could refinance at any time. But when I needed to do it, they said my credit wasn’t good enough.”
“How could your credit not be good enough? You own a restaurant.”
Grandma Babe shook her head. “Between my age, a missed payment and being upside down on the loan, no one wants to lend to me.”
“You took out a hundred thousand?” Lavina asked.
Grandma Babe snorted. “I took out fifty thousand. But somehow in the process, Mr. Hamilton turned my loan into an interest only. In fact, according to my nephew, I haven’t even been paying the full interest every month. Fee’s been doubling every few weeks. I owe a hundred grand now.”
“Oh, my goodness. Didn’t the banker disclose this?”
“That man didn’t disclose a thing. Just gave me lots of smiles and told me how much he loved my pie. Oh, sure, my grandson is steaming mad. But what can we do about it now? Times change. I hear a fast food restaurant is already eyeing the place.”
Elise felt sick at the thought of the iconic restaurant becoming a shill for cardboard-like burgers. “Can you get a lawyer to look at the contract? Maybe it’s not legal?”
“We tried and lost. It’s legal. He up and lied to my face. But it’s all in the paperwork. Used to be a handshake was all it took to show honesty. Well he did take me with a handshake.” Grandma Babe gave an angry sigh.
At that moment, Elise’s phone vibrated. She took it out to read a message from Lucy. —Elise, I’m sorry, but can you bring me a Tylenol? I have a horrible headache.
She closed her eyes. One of the school rules was that the nurse could not give the kids Tylenol. It wasn’t often, but when Lucy needed medicine, Elise had to drop everything and bring it out to her. And even that wasn’t easy, between the calling the kid from class, filling out the sheet stating what medicine you were delivering, and finally handing it over.
Still, Lucy hardly ever asked, so Elise knew it had to be bad.
“Something wrong?” Grandma Babe asked.
“Yeah, I think I have to get my sandwich to go.” Then, turning to Lavina, “I’m sorry. I have to cut this short. I’ve got to get down to the school.”
Lavina looked down at the table when she said that. Elise could tell that Lavina was upset.
“We’ll talk later, okay?” she asked her friend.
“Sure, we will, darlin’,” Lavina answered, dryly.
“Your girlie okay?” Grandma Babe asked as she stepped back to let Elise out.
“She’s not feeling well, but she’s fine.” Elise scooted out of the booth and walked over to the cash register. Grandma Babe caught the waitress as she was coming to deliver the food and sent her back to box up Elise’s meal. Then she met Elise at the register.
“If you don’t mind, I’m going to look into this to see if there’s anything I can do,” Elise said, as she passed over the twenty.
“You can try all you like, hun. You might want to team up with my grandson, Michael, as well. Like I said, he’s piping mad.”
Grandma Babe handed over the boxed food and the change. “In fact, there’s Michael right now. He just came in.” She pointed with a gnarled finger.
Elise turned in that direction.
Standing by the door staring at her was the man from the ice rink. He was dressed nicer, in a three piece suit, but his face wore the same grouchy frown.
Chapter 8
“Michael!” Grandma Babe called. “Come over here,”
Instead of coming when Grandma Babe beckoned, the man pushed his way back outside.
“Well, that’s odd,” Grandma Babe said. “He must have forgotten something.”
Elise accepted the change back and handed over a five for a tip. She wasn’t so sure Michael forgot something. The expression in his eyes when he saw her was more of panic. That seemed like an action of avoidance at all costs.
As she returned to her car, she looked around, but didn’t see him. She did see Lavina, however, watching her sadly out the window. She waved at her friend, and then made a funny face, hoping to cheer her up.
Vi shook her head as though shocked at Elise’s infantile behavior. Well, that wasn’t so odd, but the freak-out at the wedding planning sure was.
I really need to figure out what is going on with her.
At the school
, Elise went through the song and dance to get Lucy her Tylenol. She sent Lavina a text asking when they could talk again, and then she was heading back to the office.
True to his word, Dr. Gregory let the two receptionists off at three. Sue was delighted, citing a huge laundry pile she needed to tackle.
Elise was ready for a long bath after a day like today. She checked her phone. So far, Vi hadn’t answered.
Brad had texted though, asking that she call when she was on a break. She dialed him up.
“Hey, kid, I’m having a rough day,” Brad said as he answered.
“Oh, no! What’s wrong?”
“This investigation’s hit its first road block,” he grumbled. “The power outage—it might have worked in his favor.”
“The murderer’s? How’s that?” Elise asked.
“Apparently, it short circuited the surveillance equipment at the rink. It was ancient equipment, it didn’t stand a chance.”
“But didn’t that happen the next day….”
“Tell me about it,” Brad growled. “Sometimes things move slow around here, and this is one of them. By the time the detectives went to check it out, it was too late.”
“Oh, that really sucks.”
“Yep. Chalk one point up to the murderer.”
Elise could hear the discouragement in his voice. “It’s going to be okay. You guys will figure it out.”
“You bet we will. We always get the bad guy. Anyway, I’ll talk to you later.”
They said their goodbyes and hung up.
Elise arrived home just as Lucy was walking up the porch. The teen was mopey and tired. Elise left her petting Max to go jump in the shower.
Twenty minutes later, feeling scrubbed and in a comfortable t-shirt and leggings, she headed back to the living room.
Lucy still had not moved.
“Come on chickee. Let’s get a snack.”
