We talked a little longer until the nurse came in and shooed us out of the room. It was obvious Tippi or Tabitha or whoever needed her rest. We left the hospital and traveled back to the hotel to pick up Mama. We decided to return to Sticky Fingers for supper. Mama hadn’t been there before so it was a treat for her.

We discussed the latest events and tried to figure out who’d want Tippi dead. Did it let her off the hook if someone tried to kill her? Or was this someone warning her off from her newly discovered writing career? I tried to recall what she’d told me about her family being involved in organized crime, and chills ran up and down my neck. What had I gotten myself into this time?

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

As usual, Nana woke up before the roosters crowed. She was dressed in Christmas green jogging pants with a white turtleneck shirt. I just knew somewhere, there would be a green jacket to top off the outfit. “Let’s go! Today’s a new day and I’ve already made out a list of fun things to do to keep ourselves busy.”

There was a chorus of groans. “Nana, it’s not even eight yet. Can’t we sleep in just one morning?” I wanted to pull the covers over my head and make this whole nightmare of a trip go away. But, I knew we’d never solve the case staying in bed all day so I gave up.

In a little over an hour, we were dressed and ready to face the day. A trip to IHOP for pancakes cheered everyone up. Nana pulled out her itinerary of fun things to do to take our minds off the seriousness of my situation. First on the list was the 3D IMAX Theater located next to the Chattanooga Aquarium.

There were two films playing. Nana chose the Great White Shark. We stood in line with rambunctious youngsters waiting to get in. Excitement shone on the children’s faces as they fidgeted beside their parents.

Dee Dee suggested we get popcorn and Coke. So there we were, with our 3D glasses and refreshments, standing in line with the other kids. Mama and Nana had never been to a large screen movie. I couldn’t wait for them to see the spectacular scenes. Finally allowed in, we flowed with the crowd to our seats.

The hostess appeared and provided us with interesting tidbits of information on the theater. It boasted the largest commercial screen ever invented. The IMAX screen is 4500 times larger than the average television and the screen is designed to include the peripheral vision.

The lights went down and the sound came on. Everyone scrambled to put on their glasses. The crowd gasped with wonderment at the beautiful ocean scenery. Colorful fish swam through the water as vegetation gently swayed.

I had to admit this was a great idea and I sat back to enjoy the movie. Next thing I knew a shark, jaws wide open, leapt from the screen into our laps. Nana jumped and popcorn flew onto her neighbor. Nana apologized, and blamed it on the shark.

We settled back and I was enjoying the movie when I noticed Nana’s arms reaching out toward the screen. First they started slow, then they sped up and she was wildly swinging her arms. Nana’s gesturing dislodged the glasses of the now disgruntled man next to her. I heard a few expletives from the irate movie-goer.

I laid my hands over Nana’s for the rest of the movie and we made it through without any more catastrophes. When the lights came on the surly man shot daggers at Nana, but she only shrugged. “Sorry, I was really caught up in the reality of it.”

Her apology diffused the tension and a smile appeared on his lips.

“Oh, that was so much fun. I’m so glad I added that to my list.” I wished I had half as much spirit as she did. I glanced at Mama and noticed she looked like someone had stolen the color right off her face. She was as white as a newly painted picket fence.

“Mama, what’s the matter?” With all the attention I’d been paying to Nana, I hardly noticed what mother was up to during the movie.

Dee Dee supported her from the other side. “Betty Jo, what is it?”

“I’ll be okay. I just got a little seasick. Let me sit for a few minutes.” We guided her to a bench. Nana sat beside her and grabbed her hand.

“Want some Coke, Betty Jo?” I could feel the genuine love between Nana and Mama. When her parents were killed, Nana took in Mama. Now that Nana’s getting older, Mama’s showing the same love and care for Nana.

“I think I need to go back to the hotel,” Mama said. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I think I’ll feel better if I can rest for a while.” She looked so pale.

“The action and movement can cause queasiness, Mama, that’s no problem. We’ll be glad to take you back so you can lie down.”

She straightened, but still held a hand to her forehead. “No way. I won’t have you sitting with me. You take Nana and finish up that list of things she wanted to do. I’ll hear of nothing else. I’ll be fine.”

“Are you sure, Betty Jo?” Dee Dee handed Mama a Coke and sat down on the other side of her. We gave her a few more minutes, then dropped her off at the hotel and tackled the next stop on Nana’s list.

We were lucky to find a parking spot right in front of the Creative Discovery Museum downtown. As soon as we walked in, and I saw the hands on exhibits, I knew Nana would be determined to experience each and every one. Cute little twin girls stood beside her as they dug for miniature artifacts in the dirt. Nana squealed when she found a replica dinosaur bone. I wasn’t sure which of them had more fun.

While she was busy, Dee Dee and I sat and talked. “Hey Dee! Look over there.” Dee turned in the direction I pointed. “That’s Amanda Holbrook with her friend we met the other night on the Riverboat,” I said. They were next to a round cement bowl, I couldn’t imagine what it was for.

It was odd to see them there. We hadn’t run into any of my other classmates, but this was the second time we’d ended up in the same place as Amanda.

“I wonder if they’re following us.” Dee Dee said what I thought.

“Aw, probably not.” I decided it was just coincidence. Why would she be following me?

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

As I said that, Amanda’s head popped up and turned as if she’d heard me. Surely she couldn’t have heard that from across the room. I was relieved when she smiled and waved to me and Dee Dee. Phew, that was close. We needed to be careful what we said in public. Especially while we were sitting right next to sound amplification exhibits. I waved back, and then grabbed Nana so we could move to a different room.

By the time we finished, it was lunch time. We chose to get a burger at the Big River Grille, where we discussed Nana’s agenda and what we wanted to do next on the list. We bundled up before we went back outside. The sky was crystal clear, allowing the sun to shine like a bright copper penny warming the air. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day.

Next stop – Walnut Street Bridge. According to a brochure Nana had picked up, the 1890 bridge was the first to connect Chattanooga with the North Shore.

The bridge, closed to motor vehicles in 1978, sat in disuse and disrepair for nearly a decade. Repairs and structural modifications had been made to turn the bridge into a pedestrian walkway. The Walnut Street Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 23, 1990. The 2,376 foot span is one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridges, and sits near the heart of a massive and recently completed urban renewal project. The bridge is well loved by local residents and very popular among tourists. From December 2009 to May 2010, the bridge’s deteriorating asphalt surface was replaced with wood planking. Tourists walked on both sides of the bridge stopping to admire the view.