TWENTY-EIGHT AND A HALF WISHES (A ROSE GARDNER MYSTERY, BOOK 1)

CHAPTER EIGHT

Lunch sounded like a terrible idea. The March of Protest began rumbling in my gut at the thought of it. “How about I skip lunch and come at naptime. My stomach hasn’t been the best.”

“Oh sure, darlin’. It’s probably nerves.”

I wanted to say, No, I’m sure it’s the beer, but didn’t trust Violet’s reaction, so I said nothing.

“Why don’t you come around two?”

I hoped that gave me enough time to get myself together. “Yeah, see you then.”

I got a glass of water and lay down in my bed. I had woken up there that morning, but for the life of me couldn’t remember how I got there. The last thing I remembered was falling asleep on Joe’s lap, which brought a combination of embarrassment and joy. The logical explanation was that Joe helped me get here. A moment of panic filled me at the thought of being so out of it that I didn't remember going to bed. But I woke up fully clothed, minus my shoes. If Joe wanted to take advantage of me, he would have done it when I flung myself at him.

I napped, and felt a little better when I got up. Crackers and a hot shower also helped. When I arrived at Violet’s house, my stomach had settled, but my head still ached a bit, nothing I couldn't manage.

I placed the trunk in a large paper shopping bag. I figured it was part of the will so I should bring it to show Violet. But anxiety ate at me as I knocked on Violet’s door. I told myself I had nothing to be nervous about. It couldn’t get any worse.

When Violet opened the door, she pulled me into a hug, the bag banging against the door.

“What’s that?” she asked.

“I’ll tell you in a minute. Are the kids down for their nap?”

“Yeah, let’s go into the kitchen.”

Violet poured glasses of tea for both of us, which I had trouble choking down. I hadn’t decided if I would admit to the getting-drunk part, but I knew I couldn’t leave until I told her about the kissing part of the previous night.

I set the envelope on the table and slid it to her. “Read this.”

I sat back, gnawing on my lower lip. Violet sensed my anxiety and narrowed her eyes as she picked up the envelope and pulled out the papers.

I watched her face as she read, her expression changing from concentration to surprise, then horror. She looked up with huge eyes, the color drained from her face. “Oh, my goodness! I had no idea! I swear to you, Rose. I had no idea.”

“I know, Vi. I know you didn’t.”

“What are we gonna do?” Her question sounded like a wail.

“I don’t know. I guess you need to decide what you’re going to do with the house.”

“But that’s not right, Rose. It’s not fair.”

We sat in pain filled silence. Finally, I patted her hand. “It is what it is.”

“But I don’t want it all! I want you to have half.”

I twisted my mouth into a lopsided smile. “I got something, too.”

“What?”

I pulled the box out of the paper bag and set it on the table. “This.”

“What in tarnation is that?”

“I believe it is the wooden box bequeathed to me in Momma’s will. You’ll see it on the next page.”