Page 95 of The Lady on Esplanade
She peered after it, squinting her eyes to see it better before shaking her head.“I could have, but it’s not that memorable, you know?Not like a red 1967 Ford Mustang.Now, that’s a car people remember.”
“Speaking of which, can we talk about that?I’ve had a lot of time to think since my accident, and I don’t think I’m ready for a car of any kind, much less a classic like—”
“Oh, look.”Jolene waved in the direction of the house.“Honey’s at the door.Let’s not keep her waiting.It’s getting chilly.”She gave an exaggerated shiver, then led the way to the front walk.
I’d reached the front steps before I realized that Sarah wasn’t with us.I turned to find her tapping her fingers against the peacock broochon her sweater while staring at a window on the left side of the house.“Are you okay?”
She was humming a familiar tune, ABBA’s “Fernando,” her lower lip clenched between her teeth.Slowly, her eyes drifted down to meet mine.“Sure.But let’s not stay too long, okay?”
“You got it.This should be quick, but just in case, give me a signal if you need to leave.I’ll say my ankle’s hurting or something and we need to go, all right?”
Honey met us at the door, yellow and green paint drops in her hair and on her oversized shirt.A finger smear of orange paint blazed across one cheek, and Zeus perched on her shoulder, his dark eyes watching us calmly.“Come in, come in.I’m sorry that you just missed Joan.She has a standing appointment at the beauty parlor every other Friday so she couldn’t stay.”
“No worries.We won’t stay long.”I turned and pointed to the house where we’d spotted the car pulling away from the curb.“Do you by chance know anyone on the street who owns a gray Honda sedan?Maybe new neighbors from South Carolina?”
“A gray Honda?”She shook her head.“Not that I know of.Besides, isn’t Honda the most popular car brand in America?You probably see them everywhere.”
“Probably.Just thought I’d ask.I’ve seen what I think is the same car enough times to notice.”
“It’s just coincidence,” Honey said, her smile cracking the dried paint on her cheek.
Sarah and I looked at each other, raising our eyebrows like our dad did whenever someone brought up a coincidence.
Honey opened the door wider and stepped back into the foyer so my crutches and I would fit.I introduced Honey to Sarah and Jolene before indicating the bird on Honey’s shoulder.“And this is Zeus.I don’t think you’ve met him before, either.”
Sarah eyed Zeus warily, as if he were a copperhead instead of a harmless avian.
“Right,” I said, staring at the bird with apprehension.I remembered him going into attack mode when Beau had taken Annabelle from my backpack during our visit.
Honey smiled.“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sarah.And, Nola, I’m so glad you reached out.I initially thought it was to tell us about the doll.”
“Excuse me?”
“Lynda’s baby doll.We’ve been hoping to hear if Mimi had had a chance to examine it yet.”Honey closed the door behind us.
I exchanged a glance with Jolene.“She’s, um, not done examining it yet.Her daughter-in-law’s funeral was the day before yesterday.”
“Of course.I did read about that in the paper.I hope they find out who was responsible so the family can get some closure.Joan and I know exactly how that feels, of course.An unsolved murder and missing loved ones are difficult burdens, aren’t they?And here you are, in the middle of both.I suppose there’s some sort of reason for that, don’t you?”
“Probably,” Sarah said at the same time I said, “I doubt it.”
“Your house is lovely.”Jolene began walking toward the living room with the large picture window, its wide sill covered with framed family photographs.
“Is your Beau not with you today?”Honey asked, following Jolene.
“He’s notmyBeau,” I clarified.“And no, it’s just us today.”
“Well, that’s a relief, because I’m not dressed for male company.Joan doesn’t approve of my artistic endeavors, so I choose times when she’s not here to work in peace.May I offer you anything to eat or drink?”
“No, but thanks.I promise we won’t keep you.As Sarah mentioned on the phone, we’re on our way to the house on Esplanade, so we won’t stay long.This could have been a quick phone conversation, but if you don’t mind, I also want to look at your framed photos again.”
“Of course,” she said.She fluffed a cushion on the couch andgestured for me to sit.“Sarah told me about your ankle, and I’m so sorry.And I’m sure your doctor has told you that you should be keeping it raised as much as possible.”
“It’s more trouble to get up than to sit down, so if it’s all right with you, I’ll remain standing so I can make my way around the room.”
Jolene shook her head and wore herbless your heartexpression.“Just in case you couldn’t tell, Nola has terrible listening skills, but we love her anyway.”
Honey laughed.“I believe my sister shares the same affliction.”
