Though Tina Sue loved her sister, she could not imagine why she’d slept with their mother’s husband, even up until the week before she died. “I was more than a little agitated with her when I found out. Why would she let it continue? Why didn’t she stick up for herself? I’ll never understand it.”
Then, of course, the agitation became fury when she found out that her sister had also been bedding her own husband off and on for years. “I’ve never judged her for her ways. I’ve always supported her. Stuck up for her. Then to find out...”
The confrontation between the sisters came during early-morning hours, after Bill Ledford had left the premises.
“What are you doing here?” Maggie Rae asked her sister. “It’s three in the morning.”
“I’m here to ask you if you’ve been sleeping with Zeb.”
“Now, Tina Sue, let’s go downstairs and chat. I don’t want to wake up the kids.”
The sisters tiptoed into the basement, where Maggie Rae’s writing office was, as well as her own bed, where she’d entertain her lovers. The next room over was her children’s play room.
“Now, Tina Sue, you and I have talked about the way I feel about sex.”
“Now, that’s true. But how about the way I feel about sex, Maggie Rae? How about the way I feel that it’s only good between married partners who love one another? A couple that is true to one another,” Tina Sue said, her voice shaking. “It’s a sacred bond.”
“It can be,” Maggie Rae said. “But it can also be a lot of fun without those bonds.”
“Fun? You are changing the subject on me. Did you sleep with my husband?”
“Yes, sweetie, I did.”
And that, says Tina Sue, is really the last thing she remembered before scrubbing blood off herself.
“I may have piled the scrapbooks and boxes on the corner. I can’t say for certain, but Beatrice Matthews says I did, I guess I did. It makes sense. I wouldn’t want anybody to know what kind of life she was living. Not only was she sleeping around with strange men, but also our stepfather and my husband. That would bring shame to the family.”
But then again, so would a murder—especially committed by your only sister.
—Annie Chamovitz
“Damn, I really like that ending,” Sheila said as she slid the photo cutter across a picture.
“Me too,” Vera agreed as she took another bite of the lemon poppy seed muffin. “Ironic.”
“Thanks,” Annie said.
“Great article,” Paige said, placing her scrapbook on the pile of scrapbooks they would be delivering to the Dasher family later.
“Poor Tina Sue,” DeeAnn said, changing the subject while cutting a pink velvet ribbon. “I mean, I know she killed her sister, but who knows how any one of us would react to that situation?”
DeeAnn wrapped the bow around her fingers and created loops—to be formed into a great big bow to be placed on the package of scrapbooks.
“It wasn’t just that situation,” Annie said. “It was a lifetime of humiliation and embarrassment brought on by her sister. She claimed she was okay with her lifestyle, but Tina Sue was boiling with resentment for many years.”
“So when she find out about her husband ... it was inevitable,” DeeAnn said.
“She still claims she doesn’t remember a thing, until after she did it. But she figured it out pretty quickly,” Annie said.
“But she does remember my mother that morning,” Vera said.
“Yes.”
“And she remembers stabbing her?” Sheila asked.
Annie nodded, then flipped Ben’s scrapbook page over to a blank one. Which picture or event to focus on next? His birthday? Hanukkah?
“And she’s the one who placed the doll on your mother’s porch.”
Vera rolled her eyes. “My mom told me nothing about that. And how creepy is that? Why would a grown woman do something like that?”
“It’s freaky,” DeeAnn said. “She probably wanted to scare Bea.”
“Shows she never knew Bea,” Sheila said, and laughed.
“That family picture still freaks me out. Why would Maggie Rae change that picture?” Vera said, holding out a stack of paper like a deck of cards. Shades of purple and pink.
“Just a sign of how disturbed Maggie Rae was,” Annie said.
“Now we know why she never filled those scrapbooks,” Sheila concluded.
“We do?” DeeAnn asked as she wrapped a ribbon around the stack of scrapbooks. Six scrapbooks were stacked neatly on the table—books chronicling the lives of Maggie Rae’s children, her own, and her family’s. All wrapped up neatly for them to flip through and remember.
Annie hoped it brought them all some measure of comfort—even Robert, whom she had almost forgiven for his odd behavior. Besides, he was working with a caseworker, who was helping him along with the children, and she’d heard that he’d started going to Alcoholics Anonymous. She gave the man credit for trying to turn his life around.
“I know why, at least. There’s something permanent and celebratory about scrapbooks. She came from a family that didn’t really believe in taking pictures. She could go as far as taking pictures, but not placing them ... in the book for everybody to view,” said Sheila.
“That, and I thought maybe she was, in her own strange way, honoring her biological father,” Annie said. “After all, it was his death that brought chaos to that family—and her stepfather, I gather, tried to erase any memory of her dad. They weren’t even allowed to mention him.”
“Maybe she remembers her real father in an idealized way. But that’s not how I remember him,” Paige said, placing her zigzag scissors down. “He was a harsh man as well.”
“So you knew him?” Annie asked.
“Yes,” she said, picking up the scrapbooks as all of the women filed in around her. It was time to visit the Dasher family. “I grew up right outside of Jenkins Hollow. I remember him quite vividly.”
The mention of Jenkins Hollow made Annie’s stomach churn. She didn’t care to ever go back. She sighed, thanking the universe she would probably never have another reason to venture into that hollow again.
Harsh fathers led women to harsh husbands, and gave them children caught between. Annie said a prayer to herself that she and Mike could continue being decent parents. Tempers flared and children internalized it. She was eager to get a glimpse of Maggie Rae’s children today, hoping for some clue, some psychic knowledge that they would be okay.
The women walked silently down the sidewalk of their Cumberland Creek neighborhood. Maybe they were all thinking similar thoughts with their arms full of colorful scrapbooks tied with ribbons—Maggie Rae’s life was pieced and bound in each of them.
Glossary of Basic Scrapbooking Terms
Acid-Free: Acid is a chemical found in paper that will disintegrate the paper over time. It will ruin photos. It’s very important that all papers, pens, etc., say acid-free, or eventually it can ruin cherished photos and layouts.
Adhesive: Any kind of glue or tape can be considered adhesive. In scrapbooking, there are several kinds of adhesives: tape runners, glue sticks, and glue dots.
Brad: This is similar to a typical split pin, but it is found in many different sizes, shapes, and colors. It is very commonly used for an embellishment.
Challenge: Within the scrapbooking community, “challenges” are issued in groups as a way of motivation.
Crop: Technically, “to crop” means the cutting down of a photo. However, a “crop” is also when a circle of scrapbookers gets together and scrapbooks. A crop can be anything from a group of friends getting together, or a more official gathering, where there are scrapbook materials for sale and there are games and challenges and so on. Online crops are a good alternative for people who don’t have a local scrapbook community.
Die-Cut: This is a shape or letter cut from paper or cardstock—usually by machine or by using a template.
Embellishment: Embellishment is the enhancing of a scrapbo
ok page with trinkets other than words and photos. Typical embellishments are ribbons, fabric, and stickers.
Eyelet: These small metal circles, like what’s used on a shoe to thread laces, are used in a scrapbook context as a decoration and can hold elements on a page.
Journaling: This is the term for writing on scrapbook pages. It includes everything from titles to full pages on thoughts, feelings, and memories about the photos on a page.
Matting: Photos in scrapbooks are sometimes framed. Scrapbookers mat with coordinating papers on layouts, often using colors found in the photos.
Page Protector: These are clear, acid-free covers that are used to protect finished pages.
Permanent: Adhesives that will stay are deemed permanent.
Photo Corners: A photo is held to a page by slipping the corners of the photo into photo corners. They usually stick on one side.
Post Bound Album: This term refers to an album that uses metal posts to hold the binding together. These albums can be extended with more posts to make thicker. Usually page protectors are already included on the album pages.
Punch: This is the tool used to “punch” decorative shapes from paper or cardstock.
Punchies: The paper shapes that result from using a paper punch tool are known as punchies. These can be used on a page for a decorative effect.
Repositionable Adhesive: Magically, these adhesives do not create a permanent bond until dry, so you can move the element around on the page until you find just the perfect spot.
Scraplift: When a scrapbooker copies someone’s page layout or design, she has scraplifted.
Scrapper’s Block: This is a creativity block.
Strap Hinge Album: An album can utilize straps to allow pages to lie completely flat when the album opens. To add pages to the book, the straps are unhinged.
Template: A template is a guide to cutting shapes, drawing, or writing on a page. They are usually made of plastic or cardboard.
Trimmer: A trimmer is the tool used for straight-cutting photos.
Vellum: Vellum is a thicker, semitransparent paper with a smooth finish.
Scrapbook Essentials for the Beginner
When you first start to scrapbook, the amount of products and choices can be overwhelming. It’s best to keep it simple until you develop your own style and see exactly what you need. Basically, this hobby can be as complicated or as simple as you want. Here is all you really need:
1. Photos
2. Archival scrapbooks and acid-free paper
3. Adhesive
4. Scissors
5. Page protectors
Advice on Cropping
Basically, two kinds of crops exist. An “official” crop is when a scrapbook seller is involved. The participants sample and purchase products, along with taking part in contests and giveaways. The second kind of crop is an informal gathering of friends on a somewhat regular basis in order to share, scrapbook, eat, and gossip. (Just like the Cumberland Creek Croppers.)
1. In both cases, food and drinks are usually served. Finger food is most appropriate. The usual drinks are nonalcoholic—but sometimes wine is served. But there should be plenty of space around the scrapbooking area—if something spills, you don’t want your cherished photos to get ruined.
2. If you have an official crop, it’s imperative that your scrapbook seller won’t come on too strong. Scrapbook materials sell themselves. Scrapbookers know what they want and need.
3. Be prepared to share. If you have a die-cut machine, for example, bring it along, show others how to use it, and so on. Crops are about generosity of the spirit. A shared offering can be as small as some paper that you purchased and decided not to use. Someone will find a use for it.
4. Make sure there’s a lot of surface space—long tables where scrapbookers can spread out. (Some even use the floor.)
5. Be open to giving scrapbooking advice and receiving it, which you can always ignore if it’s bad.
Ideas for Making Your Own Gift Scrapbooks
When many people think of scrapbooking, they think of a linear chronicle of their children’s lives—or some other person or event. But when it comes to making gifts, you can really get out of the scrapbooking box with some creative options. Along with making scrapbooks for the Dashers, Vera makes ballet books, and Annie is starting a soccer book. You don’t have to fill a huge book for a gift book—mini scrapbooks are great for this.
1. An advice scrapbook. When a child goes off to college, for example, make a Top Ten list of advice, pull in photos of them—you can make it funny or inspirational. They can take it off to school with them to help with the freshman homesick blues.
2. A recipe scrapbook. Pull in recipes from your grandmothers or aunts. If you have photos of them, place them alongside the recipes. If you have memories of the person or the dish, journal them. Make it so delicious that future generations will fight over it.
3. A themed scrapbook. Some of my favorites center around particular activities, like ballet and soccer. It can be holidays, weddings, or baby showers. But I’ve seen clever ones, like “Ten Things I Love About You,” “A Play Day at the Park,” and “Gardens I Love.”
4. A book about yourself to give to a loved one. Think about it. How cool would it have been if your grandparents—or great-grandparents—left a scrapbook about themselves. Remember not to embellish ... too much.
5. An answer-question scrapbook. This is a lot of fun to do with little kids. Ask questions like, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” or “Who are your best friends?” You will have those answers and photos preserved. Also, think about an answer-question scrapbook with some of the older members of your family.
Frugal Scrapbooking Tips
1. Spend your money where it counts. The scrapbook, itself, is the carrier of all your memories and creativity. Splurge there.
2. You can find perfectly fine scrapbooking paper in discount dollar stores, along with stickers, pens, and sometimes glue. If it’s labeled “archival,” it’s safe.
3. You can cut your own paper and make matting, borders, journal boxes, and so on. You don’t need fancy templates—though they make it easier.
4. Check on online auction sites for scrapbooking materials and tools.
5. Reuse and recycle as much as you can. Keep a box of paper scraps, for example, that you might be able to use for a border, mat, or journal box. Commit not to buy anything else, until what you’ve already purchased is used.
Turn the page for a special preview of the next book in Mollie Cox Bryan’s Cumberland Creek mystery series,
SCRAPBOOK OF SHADOWS!
A Kensington mass-market coming soon!
Chapter 1
Spending Sunday afternoon watching the police drag a body from a river was not what Annie had planned for the day. She was kicking a soccer ball around in the backyard with her boys when she was called away.
She took a deep breath as she walked through the crowd and over the yellow tape, which roped off the section to the river where the police and paramedics gathered. Flashbulbs popped. Ducks swam in the river. A comforting arm slid around a woman standing in the crowd. A group of Mennonites stood from the bench they were sitting on and lowered their heads. What were the Mennonites doing at the park on a Sunday? Odd.
Across the river, where the park was more populated, Annie saw children playing on the swings and bars on the playground. Also, a rowdy game of basketball was taking place in another corner of the blacktopped surface. In the grassy area, a Frisbee was being thrown between three friends. Groups of mothers gathered on the benches, trying not to alert their children or to watch too closely what was happening across the rushing Cumberland Creek River.
A hush came over the crowd on this side of the river as the nude body of a small, red-haired woman emerged from the water in a torn sack, her hair dangling over the side, along with a foot. The body, mostly shrouded by the shredded sack, was placed back on the ground. Cameras flashed—again.
Ev
ery time Annie viewed a dead person, she silently thanked one of her old journalism professors who insisted that all of his students witness autopsies. “If you’re going to get sick, it’s better here than in front of a cop. He’ll lose all respect for you.”
“Hello, Annie.” It was Jesse, one of the uniformed police officers she came to know over the past year of reporting about Maggie Rae and her family. Now, Annie found herself under contract with a publisher to write a book about the case, which she was just finishing up. But she was still freelancing for the Washington Tribune from time to time, and was called in that morning to check this out. Was this incident another murder in the small town of Cumberland Creek?
“Hi, Jesse, where’s your boss?”
“Behind you,” came Detective Bryant’s voice. Then he walked by her to look over the body more closely. His eyebrows knitted and he leaned in even closer, sliding gloves on his hands. “What the hell is this?”
Scrapbook of Secrets Page 23
