Part 22 (1/2)

Maury could have years of anger built up inside. Now that he was physically able, had he taken it out on someone weaker than himself?

Stranger things have happened.

Like my sister marrying Maury.

What were ya thinking, Erica?

I pulled into the parking lot behind Asdale Auto Imports and entered the shop through the garage to find Danny sitting in the race car while Cory explained all the instrumentation to him. Cory looked up with questions in his eyes when I appeared.

”Hey, Jo. How's Erica?”

”Dr. Albert admitted her to the psych center. She'll call in a few days.”

Cory nodded. He knew the drill. ”What about Maury?”

”He's my new brother-in-law.”

”Huh.” He didn't seem all that surprised, but then again, he knew Erica.

”Yeah, huh.” Further elaboration wasn't required. Cory would know what I was thinking. But at his age, Danny shouldn't know, and he'd been following our discussion like a tennis match. I opened my mouth to try to explain, but I didn't have the energy or the desire to hash it all over with him. It was what it was.

Instead, I gave Danny what I hoped was an encouraging, carefree smile and started toward my office. I'd set an example of how to take life in stride. Besides, if we discussed the issue any further, I might let a swearword, or two, go-not the example I wanted to set. ”Any calls?”

”Just one. Celeste called. You're supposed to call her back.”

I couldn't believe my ears. ”Celeste Martin?”

”Is there any other?”

Thank G.o.d, no. This was a first. I don't believe Celeste had ever called me. In fact, since high school, the only time we spoke was when I went in her store or ran into her somewhere-except, of course, for the time I confronted her at home about dating my father. She certainly had never, ever called me. But, then, I didn't ever have any gossip to share. I wondered if that was what she was after now.

Curious, I walked through the showroom into my office and shrugged off my jacket. As I reached for the coat rack to hang it, I caught sight of Celeste crossing the street in my direction. She must have been watching Main Street for my car.

I froze.

She didn't wait for the light. She didn't wait for the oncoming automobile, either. She held out her left arm in the ”stop” position and walked right in front of it. It halted inches from her kneecaps. She didn't spare the driver a glance.

The bells jingled on the front door when she breezed through. Her heels clicked across the showroom floor. ”Jolene, you didn't call me back.”

I shook off my shock and finished hanging my coat on the rack. ”I just walked in, Celeste. Is something wrong?”

”Your sister has been admitted to the psych center.”

”Oh.” So much for patient confidentiality. ”I know. I delivered her there myself.”

For a moment, Celeste appeared deflated. Then she fluffed up again. ”She married Maury Boor.”

I sat behind my desk and gestured for Celeste to sit down as well. ”I know. He told me.”

She sniffed.

”How did you hear?” I leaned forward, curious to unlock Celeste's secrets for a change.

She seemed to consider a moment before deciding to answer. ”Mindy's cousin Emma works at the florist shop. Maury came in and purchased a dish garden for your sister. He asked to have it delivered to the psych center, along with a card that read 'Like our love, this will grow forever. Your husband, Maury.'”

There you have it. Sweet as saccharine.

Celeste continued, ”Emma was shocked.”

I waited for more.

Celeste examined her fingernails as if she hadn't left me hanging.

I got it. She needed me to admit I didn't know something. ”Why was Emma shocked, Celeste?”

”Because Maury always buys roses, lots of roses. He's bought so many roses for so many women Emma thinks he's crazy.”

I cringed. Another certifiable in the Asdale clan after all my years of trying to avoid it. ”Literally?”

Celeste shrugged. ”Well, no, but he tries too hard. He buys roses for girls he doesn't even know yet. Emma tried to explain to him once that he might want to get to know a girl first before he gives her flowers. He didn't seem to get it. She said he's spent thousands on roses in the shop over the years.”

I laughed, the kind of laugh that said I surrendered to the G.o.ds who thought this loon belonged in my family. ”Wow.”

”He's bought a couple dish gardens before, too. Emma said they're handmade wooden planters that looked like a wis.h.i.+ng well with an African violet, white gerberas, prayer plants, and G.o.dseffiana. Very pretty, apparently.”

I realized my lips had parted in astonishment. My thumb was black as car grease. I had absolutely no idea what she was talking about, but it sounded lovely-although no more unique than the roses, apparently. ”I'm sure Erica will appreciate it.”

Celeste looked at me. Stared, really.

I forced myself not to squirm. ”I appreciate your keeping an eye out for Erica and Maury. It was very ... nice”-I almost gagged on the word-”of you to rush right over. Thank you.”

She didn't blink. She didn't leave, either, which is what people normally do after I thank them.

I tilted my head. ”Was there something else, Celeste?”

”How's your new friend Leslie?”

Oh, I got it. Payback time. I would have to give information if I wanted to receive it. No wonder grapevines were so tough to cut. ”She's fine. She's having a s.e.x change operation next month.” There-that would get her, and I didn't feel like I was talking out of school. Leslie had been quite upfront about it.

Celeste rose and looked down her nose at me. ”I know.”

____.

Celeste stopped traffic on her way back across the street, too. This time I wished the oncoming car might have at least given her a nudge and soiled her perfectly creased pants.

I hadn't given her the satisfaction of asking how she already knew Leslie Flynn was having a s.e.x change operation. Perhaps she just surmised after her brush with Leslie's big Willie. Or maybe Leslie had been in to Talbots to buy more clothes and shared the information as casually as she had shared it with Ray and me the other day. Or, better yet, maybe Celeste's sister's best friend's brother's wife's child from her first marriage was slated to be the Flynn's new bookkeeper. Whatever. It didn't matter.

I was more annoyed with my new brother-in-law Maury. He hadn't listened when I told him to wait to get Erica flowers. Flowers must be some kind of compulsion with him. Once again, I wondered if he'd ever sought therapy.

I dialed Ray's phone number to fill him in on Erica and Maury.