The girls followed him to the tree in the front yard. Sure enough, the fort was finished. Well, all except for paint, which the boys could work on later.
Ryan and Tyler stepped out onto the deck, complete with a nice, large balcony. “Hi Grams. Are you gonna come up and see?”
Gloria shook her head. “I’m afraid not. I’ll give you my camera, though, so you can take pictures and show me,” she told him.
Lucy rolled up her sleeves. “Well, I’ll go up,” she declared.
The boys had built a swinging ladder and hooked it to the back side of the deck. Lucy hoisted herself onto the first step and then quickly scrambled up the rest. “Pretty cool,” she hollered down. “You sure you don’t want to come up?”
Gloria was sure. 100%. She shook her head. “No thanks.” Brian and Lucy made their way down while the boys started to paint.
It was getting late. Gloria was getting hungry. She looked at Brian. “If you want to go ahead and wash up, I’ll start the grill.”
By the time Brian emerged from the house wearing clean clothes and his damp hair slicked back, the burgers were almost ready. Gloria emptied a package of hot dogs on the top rack and closed the lid.
Brian settled into a chair at the little patio table. “Andrea is on her way. She’s bringing some chips.”
While Gloria grilled, Lucy busied herself, setting the table and pouring drinks. Brian loaded the meat on a large platter as Andrea pulled in the drive. He handed the tray to Gloria and made his way out to Andrea’s car to meet her.
Andrea hopped out of the car, popped up on her tippy toes and planted a sweet kiss on his lips.
A twinge of jealousy shot through Gloria. Andrea was a lucky girl. Even better, Brian was a lucky man. The two would have a wonderful life together. Someday, maybe, it would be her turn.
The rest of the afternoon flew by. Gloria enjoyed spending time with her friends and grandsons.
By the end of the afternoon, Gloria was feeling worn out. The boys had been hounding her all afternoon about sleeping in the fort. She had already decided there was no way she could tell them no.
She waved to Lucy, the last to leave, and headed to the front porch. Gloria had already set a couple sleeping bags and extra pillows on the futon – Gloria’s bed for the night.
She let the boys pull other camping supplies from the cupboard: a couple heavy-duty flashlights, some insect repellant wipes and a canteen that Gloria had no idea where it had come from but the boys declared a necessity for the fort.
By the time they were done, the boys had amassed a small stockpile of treasures to take with them.
Gloria stuck her hand on her hip. “I’m not sure if all this stuff and the two of you are going to fit.”
“It will, Grams. Don’t worry.” Tyler was convinced.
Now all they had to do was wait for nighttime.
They headed across the porch towards the dining room. Ryan stopped. “What’s this Grams?” He patted the top of the old TV console.
Gloria wandered back to the TV. She leaned down in front of the screen. Although she hadn’t used the old TV in years, she couldn’t bear the thought of parting with it. There had been many nights where Gloria, James and the kids had gathered around that TV in the living room to watch TV as a family.
Of course, back then, there was no such thing as cable and if you were real lucky, you could get three stations to come in. Four was like hitting a jackpot!
“It’s a television set,” she told him.
Tyler grabbed a knob on the front and twisted. “Does it work?”
“Hm. Let’s see.” Gloria reached behind the back, grabbed the plug and stuck the end in the outlet. She switched the button to “on” and waited. The screen was fuzzy at first but then it cleared up enough for Gloria to be able to make out some murky shadows.
There was an old set of rabbit ears perched on top. “I’ll be right back.”
She wandered into the kitchen and returned with a box of tin foil. She ripped two strips off and crinkled the first strip around one of the antennas.
“Let me try.” Tyler snatched the other sheet and began wrapping it around the second antenna.
She let Ryan fiddle with the other antenna and took a step back. She directed the boys to move the antennas until the reception was pretty darn good - for a TV that was over forty years old.
A rush of emotion filled Gloria – along with tears she blinked back. “How ‘bout Grams pops us some popcorn? We can sit out here and watch TV until it’s dark.”
Ryan turned an eager, young face to his beloved Grams. “Can we?”
The three of them headed to the kitchen. She popped two bags of popcorn. One for now and one for the boys to take with them, in case they got hungry later. She poured three glasses of caffeine free pop and they headed back to the porch.
Gloria settled in the center and one boy climbed in on either side.
Ryan shoved a handful of popcorn in his mouth. “Where’s the remote?”
Gloria snorted. “There is no remote. This TV is back from the good ole days…before remote.”
“You mean we have to turn it by hand?” Tyler was shocked.
Gloria handed him her popcorn bowl and shuffled over to the TV. “Just like this.” She grabbed the dial and turned. Most of the channels were fuzzy. Only two stations were clear enough to watch and she immediately vetoed one of them. The other was an old western. It looked vaguely familiar but it seemed to hold the boys’ interest.
The three of them sat there, munching on popcorn, watching the old western. The moment took Gloria back decades, when Jill and the boys were young. She closed her eyes and tried to burn this moment in her heart, so she could pull it back out later.
The movie ended and it was finally dark. Gloria helped them carry their treasures to the base of the tree.
Tyler had found some old rope. He tied the end of the rope to a bucket and then scampered up the tree. He lowered the bucket to Gloria, who was waiting below. “Throw the stuff in here.”
Gloria loaded the supplies inside. “How clever, Tyler.”
After everything was up and the boys had settled in, Gloria headed to the porch. “If you need anything. Anything at all, I’ll be right inside on the porch with the windows open.”
The boys’ heads popped out. Ryan nodded. “We’ll holler just like this.” He let out a loud scream.
“That’ll work!”
Gloria opened the porch door and waited for Mally to go inside first. She tucked a sheet around the outside of the futon and pulled a couple blankets over the top. Gloria decided early on that it would be best if she sleep in some old sweat pants and t-shirt. Just in case she had to run outdoors in a hurry.
She lay down on the futon. Mally curled up on the floor, keeping one eye on the tree and one eye on Gloria. Gloria patted her head. “Good girl. Keep an eye out,” she told her.
Gloria whispered her prayers and closed her eyes. Much to her surprise, she was out like a light.
Chapter 18
Gloria opened one eye, then the other. It took a few minutes for the fog to clear and for her to remember she was sleeping on the porch. She rolled over on the makeshift bed then sat up. Mally was gone.
The tree fort was quiet. Gloria was certain the boys were up by now.
She wandered to the kitchen and smiled at the sight that greeted her. There, sitting at the table, quiet as church mice, were her grandsons. They had managed to fix two bowls of cereal without waking her.
Ryan turned, his spoonful of cereal midair. “We fed Mally and Puddles for you, Grams.” Gloria reached down and hugged him. “Why thank you, Ryan…how sweet.”
“Me too,” Tyler chimed in.
Gloria leaned over and hugged her eldest grandson. “I have the best boys in the whole world,” she declared. She glanced up at the clock. Jill would be there any minute to pick them up.
Tyler slid out of his chair. “That is the awesomest tree fort in the whole world!” he declared.
Gloria nodded. “Of course, but for now, your mom is probably on her way. Can you go run out to the fort and bring everything back down?”
The boys dashed off, with Mally in hot pursuit.
Gloria unloaded the dishwasher from the day before, then loaded the cereal bowls and spoons inside and closed the door. She could hear the boys chatter through the front windows and she smiled.
It would be quiet – once again – after they left.
Today was going to be a busy one. After church, the girls would make their rounds to the shut-ins. Later, she and Lucy would head over to Dreamwood for their fact-finding mission. She hoped they would finally be able to get closer to solving the mystery of Milt’s disappearance!
Gloria had just enough time to get ready for church after the boys left. She remembered to close and lock the front porch windows on her way out.
Gloria reached the doorway to the dining room and turned back. Her eyes wandered to the old TV and futon couch as she remembered the night before. It had been a wonderful weekend and Gloria thanked the Lord for all her blessings.
The church was packed and Pastor Nate’s message was a powerful one. It was Jesus’ promise of heaven:
“In my Father’s house are many mansions if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2 King James Bible.
The Garden Girls met in the usual spot, right outside the front door, after the service. Dot focused on Lucy. “Any new dates with Max?” she asked.
Lucy reddened. “Maybe,” she answered noncommittally.
“What’s this about a date?” Ruth demanded. “You already have a new beau?”
Gloria lifted a hand. “Now, Ruth. Lucy and Max have only gone out once.”
“It was not a date,” Lucy gritted through her teeth. “I mean, not a dinner date. It was breakfast.”
“A date is a date,” Margaret decided.
Dot could see Lucy was getting flustered. “Let’s let it be girls.” She gave them a hard look.
Ruth quickly changed the subject. She didn’t want them starting in on her about Steve Colby. “How’s the investigation going?”
“We’re meeting Liz this afternoon. We planned a little fact-finding mission over at Dreamwood.”
“You have a suspect?” Dot asked.
“Several. We’re doing a simultaneous investigation,” Gloria told them. She turned to Ruth. “Who’s on the list for visits today?”
Ruth patted down a stray hair. “Eleanor Whittaker is the only one.”
Gloria frowned at Ruth. “Oh no! What happened?”
Dot answered. “She took a little spill in the kitchen, but she’s going to be okay.”
The last time Gloria had visited with Eleanor was during her investigation into the body Andrea had found in her dumpster. That was a few weeks ago and at the time she’d vowed to put Eleanor on the list of weekly Garden Girls’ visits.
Although Eleanor seemed to be in good health, she was on the frail side. Gloria was disappointed in herself for forgetting. “I meant to add Eleanor to the list for weekly visits but completely forgot,” Gloria said. “Shame on me.”
Margaret touched Gloria’s arm. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’ve got your hands full.”
Lucy glanced down at her watch. “I better go. I won’t be able to make the rounds today. I have a few errands to run before we head over to Dreamwood.” She didn’t wait for a reply and turned on her heel as she headed to the jeep. The rest of the girls watched her go.
“We need to cut her some slack,” Dot wisely suggested.
Gloria reached in her purse and grabbed her car keys. “I agree. I think she’s still trying to sort everything out.”
The girls parked in front of Dot’s Restaurant and Dot headed inside. The lunch crowd would soon follow. Most Sundays, Dot wasn’t able to visit the shut-ins with the rest of the girls because she had to work.
Gloria watched her friend disappear in the front door. “That woman is in serious need of a vacation.”
Ruth, Gloria and Margaret climbed into Ruth’s van and headed across town to Eleanor’s place. Eleanor answered the front door on the first ring.
She eased the door open and stepped to the side. “Why! What a pleasant surprise!” Her face lit up like a Christmas tree. “I haven’t had company in days now.”
Gloria’s heart sank. This was all her fault! She was turning into such a scatterbrain! “We’d like to start visiting every Sunday after church, if you don’t mind.”
“Mind?” Eleanor’s shaky hand reached out to grasp Gloria’s arm. “I would love the company!”
The girls followed her into the kitchen and Eleanor insisted on making her specialty tea. She also insisted that they eat one of the cookies she’d just taken from the oven.
The girls visited for a good hour before Gloria glanced at her watch. She had some cleaning up around the house to do before heading to Lucy’s to pick her up.
“I’m sorry, Eleanor,” Gloria said, “I have some things to take care of but we’ll be back next Sunday.”
Eleanor’s face drooped but she quickly recovered and a bright smile replaced the sad look. “Yes! Of course! I’ll bake a cake next week,” she promised.
“Oh! I almost forgot!” Ruth set a bag of apples and a small box of donuts on the table. “These are for you.”
Eleanor lifted the bag and peered inside. “Thank you! You girls are so thoughtful.”
Back outside, Gloria opened the door on the side of the van and climbed in the back. She plopped down in the seat and fastened the buckle. “She is such a sweet little lady.”
Ruth climbed in the driver’s seat and Margaret into the passenger side. Ruth peered at Gloria through the rearview mirror. “I hope someday when we’re older and can’t get out, someone will take the time to visit us.”
Back on Main Street, Ruth pulled the van next to Gloria’s car and placed it in park. “Good luck on your investigation.”
Gloria thanked her before she climbed into Annabelle and headed home. She called Paul on her cell phone on the way. “How did it go with Frances Crabtree?”
“How did…?” He paused. Of course, Liz told her. “Fine. She was a bit evasive.” He sighed. “She finally admitted to peeking in Milt’s windows but swears she had nothing to do with his disappearance.”
“Do you know she has the poor man’s entire routine memorized?” he asked.
Gloria did know that. She had Frances’ notes.
“What about the man that was spotted with Milt the night of his disappearance?”
“Vincent Tolino?” Paul replied. “He’s not a suspect.”
Gloria pulled in front of the farm, careened into the drive and came to an abrupt stop. “Why not?”
“He has an airtight alibi for most of that evening and for several days after that,” Paul told her.
“And how’s that?”
“He was in jail,” Paul answered.
Well, at least that narrowed the pool of suspects. There was the man that was going to pound Milt’s pudgy face and the rest were women. All of them on the list to scope out – or as Gloria preferred to call it – a part of her fact-finding mission.
Gloria swung by Lucy’s on her way out of town. She didn’t bother getting out of the car. Instead, she honked the horn and waited and waited.
She finally gave up and reached for the door handle when she spotted Lucy bouncing down the steps, backpack in hand.
Lucy opened the back door and dropped the bag on the seat. It landed on the cushion with a loud THUD. Lucy climbed into the passenger seat and reached for her seat belt.
Gloria stared at the backpack in the rearview mirror. “What on earth is in there? That thing sounds like it weighs a ton.”
Lucy fastened the clasp and leaned back in the seat. “Well, I wasn’t sure what all might come in handy.” She tapped her finger on the door handle. “Walkie-
talkies. Luckily I have four. Binoculars and a monocular.” She looked at Gloria. “Just like the one I bought you.”
Gloria had remembered to bring hers. It had been useful during the last stakeout that she and Andrea had done. “I’ve got mine, too.”
“Good.” Lucy paused. “Oh! And some snacks…and water.”
Gloria was convinced her friend had a tapeworm that was only happy when Lucy fed it sweets. Lots and lots of sweets.
Liz and Frances were inside Frances’ place when Gloria and Lucy tapped on the door. It swung open. Frances peeked her head around the side before grabbing Lucy’s arm and jerking her in. “Hurry up. I don’t want anyone to see you!”
The girls rushed in. Frances slammed the door and pulled the shade.
Gloria shook her head. Frances had always acted a bit odd but this took the cake.
Liz rolled her eyes. “Frances is convinced the police are watching her place.”
Gloria leaned forward, peeking through the edge of the window and shade. That wouldn’t be too far off, especially if they considered her a prime suspect.
Frances pulled out a chair and plopped down. “What’s the plan?”
Lucy dropped her backpack on the chair and unloaded the contents onto the table. It was quite an impressive array. There were things even Gloria hadn’t thought of. Night vision goggles, black gloves and caps. A Ziploc bag loaded with snacks.
Last but not least, Lucy pulled out something Gloria could only describe as a Halloween costume one would wear if you were dressing up as Big Foot. It was gray-green in color and covered with a combination of fur and feathers. It reminded her of an ugly brown bush.
Gloria lifted the edge. “What is this?”
“Camo outfit. You know, so I can blend in with the landscape.”
“We aren’t in the middle of the woods.” Liz pointed out. She lifted one of the sleeves. “Now this I gotta see!”
Lucy wrinkled her nose. “Laugh all you want. At least I won’t stand out like a sore thumb.”
Frances fingered the sleeve. “I’ll wear it if you don’t want to,” she told Lucy.
Hope Callaghan - Garden Girls 07 - Missing Milt Page 13
