“Wow, I think he’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen,” Dee Dee said. She furiously rummaged in her purse and drew out what she called her “hot flash fan.” The excitement and stress we’d experienced over the past twenty-four hours erupted. We broke into gales of laughter.
Nana shook her head, “Be quiet! Everyone’s looking at us like we’re crazy.”
“You’re right, but it sure feels good to laugh.” I squeezed her to me.
We maneuvered our way through a maze of hospital hallways before we exited into sunshine as bright as a new copper penny. I rooted in my purse for my sunglasses.
“Hey, wait up y’all. I can’t find my shades.” Nana and Dee Dee turned around. They sauntered back to where I stood searching for the elusive specs.
“Want to borrow mine?” Dee Dee stuck her hand in her purse.
“That’s all right. I know mine are in here somewhere.” Truth is – I didn’t think for one minute Dee Dee would find her glasses quicker than I could in the behemoth bag she called a purse.
“Here you go!” Dee Dee cheerfully handed me a pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses. A Cheshire Cat grin covered her face.
“Anybody hungry?” Nana asked. For such a petite little lady, my aunt ate like a bird – all the time.
“Yes!” Dee Dee and I shouted in unison. I realized neither of us had eaten anything substantial since Hemingway’s the night before. I steered the car away from the square and the chaos of the museum.
“Let’s go to the Big Chicken, I need comfort food.” Dee Dee fiddled with the air conditioner trying to generate relief from the heat. It was a lost cause.
“Me, too. I’m hankering greasy chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy. Add two or three biscuits and that should do the trick. Are you game, Nana?”
“Sure, Sweetie. I may not be able to eat much – maybe a biscuit or two. I’m so worried about Dora. I can’t wait to see her this evening. I’ll feel much better when she’s awake and talking to me.” Nana wiped her forehead with one of her flowered handkerchiefs.
“I know it must have been scary when Dora broke her hip,” I said sympathetically.
“Scary doesn’t begin to describe my fear. Especially after she fell on the floor and started thrashing around. I had no clue what happened. I’ve never seen anybody have a seizure in real life, just on one of those doctor shows on the Discovery Channel.”
In less than fifteen minutes we pulled into the crowded lot of the Big Chicken. Sunday afternoon in the South used to mean dinner after church at grandma’s. Now, parishioners raced from services to the restaurants to see who crossed the finish line first. Rumor had it some churches began an hour earlier so their parishioners didn’t leave before the benediction to beat the crowds.
The jam-packed parking lot bore testimony to these changes. Patience is not one of my better virtues, but I’d fervently prayed about this issue. This definitely constituted a practice situation. I swung into a space only to discover the area occupied by a little yellow Mini Cooper. It took another five minutes before we found a spot.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The aroma of fried food wafted in the air. While we waited for a seat in the long line, I picked up a brochure on the origin of the Big Chicken. Dee Dee jabbed my ribs and interrupted the history lesson as we moved forward, and she signaled toward an empty table. I grabbed Nana and charged like General Patton on a mission. We barely beat out a family with two teenagers. Now, we’d have to tackle the lines at the order counter.
“Okay, here’s the plan,” Dee Dee said as she leaned in conspiratorially. “Nana, you and Trixie hold down the fort. Since I’m the largest, I have a better chance of bulldozing my way through the crowd. Tell me what you’re hankering and I’ll go get it.”
Nana ordered first. “I’ll just take a biscuit.”
“Trix, how about you?” Before I opened my mouth to answer, Nana continued.
“And maybe a chicken breast – extra crispy – and mashed potatoes with some of that brown gravy.”
“Sure thing, Nana.” Dee Dee turned back to me.
Nana wasn’t finished, yet. “Let’s see. Get me some coleslaw to go with the potatoes. And a piece of lemon meringue pie for dessert.”
“Are you through, Nana?” I asked.
“Well, yes honey. Oh, and don’t forget a large sweet tea with lemon.”
Dee Dee and I exchanged looks. I shrugged and silently answered her question. I don’t know where in the world she’s going to put all of that food.
“I’ll order the same thing she’s having – skip the pie.” My stomach growled in agreement.
In a few minutes, Dee Dee forged her way back to the table loaded down with food.
Nana hesitated before eating. “Girls, haven’t we forgot something?”
“Nana, what could we have possibly forgotten? We ordered enough to feed a small army.” I looked around, wondering what we’d overlooked.
“How about giving thanks for all this food?” Nana folded her hands on the edge of the table.
“Oh my, you’re right, would you please do the honors?” We bowed or heads in unison.
“Father, please be with all those who are in need. Bless this food to thenourishment of our bodies and our bodies to your service. In your son’sname. Amen.” Dee Dee and I added our amens.
For the next several minutes the only sounds heard from our table were mmmm’s and ahhh’s and the smacking of lips.
“Hey, Nana. How about sharing that piece of pie with us?” Dee Dee poised her fork ready to dig in.
Nana stared at her like she’d lost her ever-loving mind, but answered sweetly, “I don’t think so.”
“Well, all right, I’ll go and get a piece for me and Trixie to share.” She barreled her way through the crowd once more.
Nana reached over and took my hand. “Trixie, go ahead and spill the beans. I want to know what you’ve gotten yourself into over at the museum.”
“What makes you think I’ve gotten myself into anything, Nana?” I said, but I already knew there was no need to argue with Nana. I wouldn’t win anyway.
“Hmph, because I’ve known you since you were a baby. Remember?”
Right now, I’d take advantage of anyone who offered me a shoulder to cry on. Who better than someone who loves you? “You’re right, I do have a lot on my mind. The director of the museum is Harv’s good friend. This assignment is too important to mess up. I need this job, Nana.”
“You’ve been through a lot, Trixie. Your mama and I are so proud of you. Just remember God is with you, even in the valleys.” She grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze.
Shortly, Dee Dee came back with not one - but two pieces of pure delight. So between bites of the best lemon meringue pie I’ve ever had the pleasure to eat, I filled Nana in.
I began to regret being so specific when I noticed her face turn paler than usual. Maybe her heart just wasn’t as strong as it used to be. I lost all misgivings when she said, “My word girl, it’s worse than I thought. Thank goodness I’m here to help you.”
What had I gotten myself into? After Nana helped Dee Dee and me solve a murder, she’d come to fancy herself as an older version of Jessica Fletcher. She knows all the re-runs of Murder She Wrote by heart. I experienced an eerie sense of déjà-vu right before Nana spoke.
“Well, what’s the plan?” Nana asked.
“The plan is to stay out of the way and let the cops do what they do best. Detective Columbo seems perfectly capable of handling the situation. Don’t you agree, Dee Dee?”
“Huh? Oh yeah, sure, whatever you say, Trix.” I glanced in the direction she was looking and discovered the reason for her distraction.
Detective Bowerman had entered, along with a couple of his cronies. He’d discarded the overcoat, but his rumpled suit wasn’t much of an improvement. The unlit cigar protruded from his mouth. It was downright disgusting.