All's Well That Ends Well

by Roseanne Dowell

  “Oh brother, now you’ve done it. You’ve piqued her curiosity,” Lottie said.

  “What about you, Lottie? Don’t you want to come along for the ride?”

  “You forget I’m babysitting. I can’t go anywhere. Besides that’s about an hour and half drive. Three hour round trip.” Lottie looked at the clock. “Is anyone beside me hungry?”

  “I’m starved,” Ethel said.

  “I’m kind of hungry myself. How about we plan to go tomorrow? We’ll leave first thing in the morning.”

  “So, you’re not giving that information to Callie?” Ethel cleared off the table to make room for lunch.

  “I’ll give it to her. But I’d like to check things out myself. Besides, maybe Bernice has some interesting stories about the house.”

  “Not a good idea, but your funeral. I wonder where those kids got off to? Melissa, time for lunch,” Lottie called. “I swear that child disappears at the drop of a hat. They were supposed to stay right in the yard.”

  “I’m right here, Grandma.” Melissa suddenly appeared. “We were playing a game in the living room.”

  I couldn’t help but chuckle. How many times had Lillian said the same thing about Callie? They were so much alike. One would think she was Callie’s child instead of Susan’s. Susan wasn’t anything like Callie. She’d been rather a dull child. Quiet, serious, more like Lillian. Funny how the cousins were so different. Complete opposite of Lottie, that’s for sure. Not that there was anything wrong with Susan. She turned out just fine. Respectful, sweet tempered, sensitive, and very well mannered. Good qualities for a pediatrician. Too bad she hadn’t instilled those same qualities in her little girl. Lottie tried, but grandparents weren’t supposed to raise their grandchildren. Melissa was quite a handful.

  Chapter Four

  My cell phone rang. Callie. What the hell did she want? “Hello.”

  “Hi, Aunt Beatrice Lulu, I’m calling to let you know you can return to your cabin. We’ve finished our investigation.”

  “Good. What did you find out? Did you identify the…” I choked. “…the body?”

  “Yes, we did.”

  “Well?” Sometimes talking to Callie was worse than pulling teeth.

  “It was the former owner.” Callie hesitated.

  “Elwood Dubinsky?”

  “I see you’ve done a bit of investigating on your own. Why does that surprise me? Yes, it was Elwood.”

  “Just a bit. So what did you find out? Did you contact his wife?”

  Callie laughed. “Maybe I should hire you as chief snoop extraordinaire.”

  “Chief snoop! Don’t be insolent, Callie.”

  “Sorry, Aunt Beatrice Lulu. I was only half joking. Tell me, what did you discover?”

  Half joking indeed. “Not much. Just that Elwood and Bernice Dubinsky owned the house before us and Bernice lives in Lexville. Nothing about Elwood. I..uh, we were thinking of visiting her tomorrow. Did you contact her?”

  “Yes. I spoke with her.”

  “Okay, Callie, enough with the twenty questions. Just tell me what you found out. For goodness sake, why aren’t you more forthcoming? Was he murdered?” I went in the other room, away from the distraction and noise.

  “Apparently, they were having marital problems. Seems Elwood had a girlfriend on the side. He disappeared twenty years ago. He told his wife he was going up to the cabin to think and never came back. Bernice figured he left her because the girlfriend left town about the same time.”

  “Didn’t she try to find him?”

  “Yes, but he just vanished, and eventually she gave up.”

  “Didn’t she go to the cabin to look for him?”

  “Not right away. She only went back once and there wasn’t any sign of him. She couldn’t bring herself to go back.”

  “So what does she think happened? How did he get in the chimney?”

  “She said last time they were up there together, he went to start a fire, but a bird’s nest or something was blocking the chimney. It was too cold to check it out, and she forgot about it. He must have gone up on the roof to remove it and fell in.”

  What an awful way to die. My stomach twisted in knots, my hands trembled. God, I couldn't breathe. Just the thought of being trapped in a chimney and my claustrophobia kicked in. Memory of being trapped in the tunnel slide came back to me. Deep breaths, I had to take deep breaths. Inhale, exhale. Count, one, two, three, breathe.

  “Aunt Beatrice Lulu, are you okay?” Concern filled Callie’s voice.

  “Ye…yes. I’m okay. So that’s it? Case closed?”

  “Pretty much. I’m still waiting for the M.E’s report on cause of death. Initial findings don’t point to murder.”

  “Okay, thank you for calling.” Well, that solved that mystery. No need to visit Bernice after all. We could return to the cabin tomorrow and get on with our work. Ed would certainly be relieved.

  “So what did Callie find out?” Ethel carried plates from the kitchen.

  I repeated what Callie told me about Elwood and Bernice. “So our trip is off.”

  “Just as well. Guess Callie knows what she’s doing, doesn’t she?” Lottie brought the lunchmeat tray to the table.

  “I never implied she didn’t.” I was disappointed. I really would’ve liked to interview Bernice. Learn the information for myself. “But you have to admit I was right. It wasn’t murder.”

  “Well, that’s what Bernice said. But how do we know she’s telling the truth? Maybe she did kill him and stuffed his body,” Ethel said.

  “Now, Ethel, don’t start.” Lottie set the condiments on the table a little too hard. “Besides, there’s no way to prove it. So if she did kill him, she got away with murder.”

  “That’s true, but according to Callie, the bones didn’t show any signs of trauma, so she didn’t suspect foul play. I’m not sure after all this time if they can find out the cause of death,”

  “Well, you didn’t tell us that.” Ethel grabbed a slice of bread.

  “Sorry, forgot that until just now.”

  Lottie’s phone rang, and she hurried to answer it. Why that woman didn’t get a cell phone puzzled me. Said she didn’t want to get cancer or some such nonsense. She came back shaking her head and laughing. Ethel and I looked at her.

  “That was Susan.”

  “Is everything okay?” I figured it was, but she expected one of us to say something.

  “Yeah, she was just checking in. I told her you brought lunch. You’re not going to believe this. She asked if there was enough for Melissa. I told her no, she has to eat dirt. She didn’t find it amusing. I swear, sometimes smart people are so stupid.

  Before I could reply, my cell phone rang again. Now what? Ed never called while I was out. “Hello.”

  “Bea, I’m sorry to bother you but your friend, Ruth, called. She took Norman to the emergency room. She needs you.”

  I slid down in the chair. “Norman? What happened?”

  “I don’t know, she didn’t say. She could hardly talk. You’d better get over there.”

  “I’m on my way.” Poor Ruth had no one. Norman was her life. An only child, she’d lost her parents years ago. Ruth only had one child, Shirley, but she lived in California. I prayed it was nothing serious. Norman was the picture of health. Although Ruth said he’d been under a lot of stress with his job lately. I grabbed my keys. “I have to run.” Blowing air kisses to my sisters, I ran outside, got into the car, and took a deep breath. I had to do this. Ruth needed me.

  I found my friend in the emergency waiting room. “What happened?”

  Ruth hugged me so tight, I thought I’d break. “Heart attack. They’re working on him now.”

  I pulled Ruth to the chairs and sat down next to her. “Norman’s strong, he’ll be okay.” I sent up another prayer, hoping I was right.

  “He complained about pain in his left arm for two days, but ignored it. Thought he pulled a muscle or something. This morning it was worse, and he got a pain in his
chest. Told me I’d better bring him to the hospital.” Ruth paused for a breath. “I wanted to call an ambulance, but he wouldn’t let me. Said it was probably nothing and just drive him. Longest ten minute drive of my life.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

  Suddenly, Ruth started laughing. “I can just picture his face when he sees you. You’re his sister, by the way, if anyone asks. I don’t think they’ll let anyone but family in to see him.”

  “That’s a good one. Can you picture Norman’s face when we tell him I’m his sister?”

  “Do you remember that weekend when we went horseback riding and the horse wanted to throw you?”

  “Lord, how could I forget? I didn’t want to go to begin with. You and Norman talked me into it. Then you all passed me by, one by one. Left me alone and that damn horse turned around and took off toward the fence. Damn thing tried to knock me off. I couldn’t get off it quick enough when the guide finally stopped him.”

  Ruth laughed. “Yeah, the horse I was on jumped a puddle. Thought for sure I’d fall off.”

  “I never saw a horse bare his teeth before either. All he wanted was to go back to the barn. That guy who tried to ride him after me didn’t have any luck either. And he was an experienced rider.”

  Before Ruth could answer, a nurse appeared. “The doctor would like to talk to you.” She looked from one of us to the other. “You are?”

  “His sister,” Ruth answered before I had a chance.

  “Okay, come with me, please.”

  We followed her to a small room. “The doctor will be here shortly.”

  I didn’t like this. Why didn’t she take us to see Norman? What did the doctor want? My gut told me it wasn’t good news. “Did you call Shirley?”

  Ruth shook her head. “No. I thought I’d call when I found out what was going on.”

  “How about Larry? Did you call him?” Larry was Norman’s brother. He lived about three hours away.

  Ruth shook her head again.

  I had a feeling she’d be making those phone calls sooner rather than later. The doctor came in before either of us could say anything else.

  “Mrs. Calhoun.” He looked from one to the other of us.

  “Yes.” Ruth stepped forward.

  “I’m Dr. McCarthy.” He motioned for us to sit down. “I’m sorry. We did everything we could. Your husband had a massive heart attack while we were working on him. We couldn’t save him.”

  Ruth collapsed into the chair. Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Can…can I see him?”

  “Certainly. Just give us a few minutes. I’ll have one of the nurses come out for you.”

  Norman dead? I had so hoped I was wrong, but I knew when they put us in the room it was serious. Still, I hadn’t expected this. Ruth sat sobbing in the chair. I took her hand. “I think it’s time to call Shirley and Larry.”

  She shook her head. “I…I can’t. Will you?”

  “You have to call Shirley. I’ll call Larry.” Lord, I didn’t want to do this. I’d never had to deal with the death of a loved one before. I wasn’t sure I could handle it. What could I say to Larry? How did you tell someone his brother was dead? This news should be delivered in person, not on the phone. Too bad he lived so far away.

  Guess there was only one way. The nurse came to get Ruth. “Don’t you want to see him?” Ruth threw me a pleading look.

  I shook my head. “You go ahead.” She needed private time with Norman. Besides, I wanted to remember him full of life, laughing, joking. I didn’t want to see him that way. “I’ll call Larry.”

  Taking a big breath, I punched Larry’s number into my cell phone, cleared it and called Ed instead. I needed reassurance. Strength. And only Ed could give me that.

  “Bea.” Ed answered on the first ring. “What’s going on? How’s Norman?”

  I sank down to the couch. “He’s gone, Ed. Norman’s dead.” The tears came. I couldn’t stop them. They rolled down my cheeks like pouring rain.

  “Awe, baby. How are you holding up?”

  Holding up? Big strong, never gets rattled me fell apart. Sobs choked me. I couldn’t even answer Ed. I just sat there, phone to my ear and cried. For my friend, for Norman, for myself. Norman, Ruth, Ed and I were best friends. Life wasn’t going to be the same. It wasn’t fair. Norman was only 55. Too young to die. God, I wished Ed was here. I needed him to hold me, to comfort me.

  “What are you going to do now? Is Ruth okay?”

  “I don’t know, Ed.” I finally controlled the sobs. I had to pull myself together before Ruth came back. She needed me. I’m going to stay with Ruth tonight, okay? Shirley doesn’t even know yet. She won’t be able to get here before tomorrow.”

  “Sure, precious. I’ll be here if you need me.”

  “I know, Ed. I know. I have to go now. I promised to call Larry.”

  “Okay, baby. I love you.”

  “I love you, too, Ed.” I hit the end button and keyed Larry’s number in. I needed to do this before Ruth came back.

  “Hello.” Larry answered.

  “Larry, it’s Beatrice Lulu. I’m afraid I have some bad news. Norman had a heart attack this afternoon. They couldn’t save him.”

  Larry gasped. Lord, I hated to be the one to deliver this news. “Is Ruth there? Is she okay?”

  “They let her in to see him. She’s with him now. Larry, I’m sorry.”

  “Tell Ruth I’ll drive in tonight.”

  “Okay.”

  “Beatrice Lulu.”

  “Yes.”

  “Thank you for calling and being there for Ruth.”

  “Sure.” What else could I say? Tears filled my eyes again. I hit the end button and put the phone back in my purse. I couldn’t even comprehend life without Norman. How was Ruth going to handle it? She depended on him for everything. Didn’t even go to the grocery store without him.

  Ruth came back, shoulders shaking from her sobs, eyes red and swollen. I held her and we both cried. “I called Larry,” I said. “He’s coming later tonight.”

  Ruth nodded. “Shirley will be here tomorrow. She’s taking the first flight out. We’ll make the arrangements then.”

  “Good.”

  “We’d better go.” Ruth picked up her purse.

  “Do you want me to drive? Larry and Ed can pick up your car later.”

  “No. I’ll drive.”

  “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  “Yes, Beatrice Lulu. I’m okay to drive. I have to stand on my own two feet eventually. I may as well start now. You don’t have to take care of everyone, you know.”

  Whoa, that was a side of Ruth I’d never seen before. Maybe she didn’t depend on Norman as much as I thought. “Okay. I’ll follow you.”

  “If you don’t mind, I’d like to be alone.”

  Taken aback by Ruth’s new attitude, I hoped she wouldn’t do anything foolish. “Okay, I’ll come over later with some dinner. All right?”

  “I’d rather you didn’t. I’ll cook. I need to keep busy. Besides, Larry will be coming and I need to get the guest room ready. Will you come by tomorrow? Go to the funeral home with us?”

  That was the last thing I wanted to do, but I agreed. Hopefully Shirley and Larry wouldn’t mind or think I was interfering. I had a reputation for sticking my nose in where it didn’t belong. Not that I’d do it here. Lord, I’d much rather leave them to their grief.

  Shirley called the next morning and let me off the hook. “I hope you don’t mind. I just think this is something Mom, Uncle Larry, and I need to do alone.”

  Mind? Nothing made me happier. “Oh, my dear, I don’t mind at all. Truthfully, I was surprised when your mom asked me.”

  “I’m so glad you understand.”

  “I’m sure your mother was still in shock when she asked me to come along. Give her my love and tell her I’m here if she needs me.

  “Thank you. I will”

  Ed had already left for the cabin, and I didn’t want to be alone. Since I didn’t have anyt
hing pressing, I decided to visit Mama. Hopefully, she wasn’t busy in court. Even if she was, I’d sit in and watch her. I hadn’t done that in a long time.

  Lucky for me, Mama was free for the rest of the day. We decided to have lunch and do some shopping. It was a great way to spend the afternoon.

  On the way home, I swear the car that almost ran me off the road the other day passed me. I turned around to follow it, but it disappeared by time I turned down Sycamore Street. I drove slowly down the street, checking all the driveways, but no car in sight. I finally came to the end of the street. The only thing there was a mechanic shop and a dilapidated garage. Maybe I was mistaken, but after seeing that flash of red on the bumper, I’m pretty sure I wasn’t.

  I turned around in the empty lot and headed home.

  * * *

  Two days later, Ed and I prepared for Norman’s funeral. I gulped back tears as I dressed. Norman had been such a big part of our lives. Shirley asked me to give his Eulogy, but I politely declined. I loved Norman like a brother and there was much I could say about him, but not in front of a room full of people.

  People think I’m cold, crass, and bold. They couldn’t be more wrong. I might come across that way, but deep down, I’m mush. Ed’s the only one who ever called my bluff and I melted. He offered to do the Eulogy and he’d do much better than I would.

  After I gave Ruth, Shirley, and Larry my condolences, I settled into a seat toward the back of the room. People always say dead people look good. What they thought looked good about a dead person was beyond me. Norman – to use the words of my five–year-old great nephew, Nicholas – looked dead. I’d gone up to the coffin with him and said, “Doesn’t he look like he’s sleeping?”

  “Nope,” Nicholas said. “He looks dead.”

  I almost fell off the kneeler and found it difficult to contain my laughter. I swear Norman smiled. Out of the mouths of babes, so to speak. But he was right. I mean seriously, dead people look dead. No disrespect intended, and some looked better than others, but why fool ourselves?

  Ed walked to the front of the room, looked at Norman, touched his hand and said, “I’m going to miss you, friend.”