2 Yule Be the Death of Me

by J. D. Shaw

  Vivienne felt lucky to have that chance. “I do love him and I know he loves me.”

  “Then you’re very lucky.” Nana Mary smiled back. “Not everyone in this world gets that chance.”

  “I know I am.” Vivienne agreed. “That’s why I love coming to talk with you Nana. You always make me see what I’m taking for granted and that gives me a chance to set things right.”

  “I’m glad I can help, my darling granddaughter.”

  Vivienne pulled herself up from the floor and wrapped her arms around Nana Mary. “I love you so much.”

  “We witches need to stick together.” Nana Mary chuckled as Vivienne pulled away.

  “We sure do.” Vivienne stared at the silver ornament in her hand. “Especially whenever someone is murdered in town.”

  “So, you’ve got quite the mystery on your hands again.” Nana Mary rocked slowly back and forth in her chair. “Do you suspect there was magic involved?”

  Vivienne carefully set the ornament back in the egg container and shrugged her shoulders. “There doesn’t seem to be any evidence of that nature, but then again I didn’t get a chance to go to the crime scene.”

  “Ah.” Nana Mary answered. “But, you don’t need to go to the crime scene to get a chance to see what happened now, do you?”

  Vivienne’s jaw went slack. “Goddess, I feel so stupid. The viewing will be probably be at Fritz and Candor Funeral Home. “It’ll be the perfect time to touch Natalie’s hand and maybe see what really happened that day.”

  “Well, except for the passing out part.” Nana Mary laughed. “But given you’ll be inside a funeral home, I suspect that happens from time to time. It shouldn’t raise too many red flags. Just don’t let them stick you in a casket.”

  “I can warn Joshua ahead of time so he’ll keep me from tumbling to the floor or ending up in the casket.” Vivienne reasoned.

  Nana Mary nodded. “See, you’re a smart girl. You didn’t need me to find the next step.”

  Nora’s voice echoed from the kitchen. “I hear lots of chatter but not much cleaning.” A clattering of pots and pans followed for emphasis.

  Nana Mary rolled her eyes. “We’re almost done in here, Nora. We’re busy little bees.”

  Vivienne reached into a nearby box and pulled out a mess of tangled extension cords. She knelt down on the carpet and sorted them by length on the floor. “Wait until you see what progress we made.” Vivienne shouted back with a wicked little grin.

  “Doing things legally to make them stick, that’s the biggest challenge you’re going to face.” Nana Mary spoke softly. “It always is with magic.”

  “What about Miss Octavia? Is she a witch?”

  Nana Mary shook her head. “It sounds like she’s quite skilled working with energy and reading people, but she’s still limited by her non-magical human genes. Besides, the Elder Council would have informed me if another witch moved into town. They’ve got this place on their radar.”

  “Then how does she know that Joshua is a werewolf?” Vivienne wondered.

  “She’s gifted with some sixth sense, that’s for certain. But, she can’t harness it like one of us. She has to fumble around with the power and occasionally it works out in her favor.”

  Vivienne shook her head. “Something magical took over her body.” She began to loop the cords around her wrist, tie them off with large garbage bag twists, and place them in a storage bin Nora provided. “It wanted me to know that whatever killed Eddie was still out there and going to strike again.”

  Nana Mary nodded. “When Missy Collins began casting her rituals and spells here in town a few months ago, she inadvertently opened some portals to other planes of existence. Those portals don’t just close up afterwards. They’re like sign posts to other beings that lead into this world.”

  “Can’t the Elder Council close them up?”

  “Missy worked with some very dark magic, communed with beings who feed upon the innocent.” Nana Mary warned. “Those portals can never be fully closed off.” She folded her arms across her chest as if she were suddenly cold. “You already know that Cayuga Cove is a magnet for the supernatural. But, with these portals opened it’s practically a lighthouse drawing all sorts of strange beings from the darkness. They’re curious and craving the chance to get a foothold in our world.”

  “That sounds dangerous.”

  “It is.” Nana Mary agreed. ”But if anyone can fix this, it’s you.”

  Vivienne finished with the last power cord and snapped the lid on the storage bin. ”I hope you’re right, Nana.”

  “I’d bet every last dollar in my savings on you, my darling granddaughter.” Nana Mary spoke just as Nora wandered into the living room and surveyed the scene like a general on the battlefield.

  “I thought you said you made progress?” Nora asked.

  “We did.” Vivienne gestured to the boxes around them. “Everything is wrapped, labeled, and ready for storage.”

  Nora eyed them both suspiciously. “Is that so?”

  Nana Mary smiled at her daughter. “Did I ever tell you how much you remind me of Martha Stewart?”

  “It doesn’t look like you’ve made much progress at all.” Nora started to open one of the boxes and then paused when the flattery kicked in. “You think so, Mother?”

  Nana Mary smiled. “I was just telling all my friends at Bingo how much you remind me of her. Ida Purnell was asking if you’d consider coming in next week and having a workshop for the residents here.”

  Nora closed the box. “Why, I’d love to.”

  Nana Mary winked at Vivienne. “Now that’s real magic.”

  CHAPTER 9

  Friday, December 6th

  Kathy gripped Vivienne’s right arm as they steeled themselves from the bitterly cold wind that was coming off the nearby shore of Cayuga Lake. “I really hate funeral homes.”

  “Joshua is stuck at work and might not be able to make it.” Vivienne reminded her. “Besides, I’m not a fan of these places either.”

  “So why exactly are we here, other than morbid curiosity?” She asked as a strong gust of wind nearly blew her maroon knit beret off her blond hair.

  “To pay our respects.” Vivienne spoke as she guided her into the front entrance of the Fritz and Candor Funeral Home. “Plus a chance to speak with Natalie.” It was pleasant, at least as pleasant as one could hope for when it came to funeral homes in general. The owner, James Fritz was, in fact, one of the most happy men in Cayuga Cove, according to most residents. He always had a smile, a joke, or just a pat on the back whenever anyone ran into him outside of his work. But more importantly, he genuinely cared about his work and made sure that the family and friends of the dearly departed always felt as if they had his complete and unwavering attention.

  “I could have been home right now, curled up on the sofa with a blanket and the remote.” Kathy moaned.

  “Trust me, it’ll be worth it.” Vivienne whispered back as one of the attendants, a bearded man in a nice suit, took their coats for them and hung them on a wall rack nearby. “When I stopped into Hummingbird Floral, Brian Amberry told me that Bistro Parisian is donating the food after the memorial service. How can you resist that?”

  “Oh.” Kathy’s tone brightened. “Do you think they’ll have their famous French Onion soup?”

  “It sure would be a nice way to counter this blasted cold spell.” Vivienne whispered back and felt her stomach rumble slightly. She had skipped lunch earlier because she had completely forgotten about the four dozen brownies for the library bake sale she had promised earlier in the week to Harriet Nettles, the town librarian.

  She managed to get it done without magic, which made her proud. According to Nana Mary, using magic too much made one lazy. Lazy often brought along careless, which usually invited chaos for the ride. Vivienne was all about order, these days. She had never liked surprises and she liked them even less when they were of the magical variety.

  As they waited in line with Cayuga Co
ve’s fellow residents to comfort Natalie and Connor, Vivienne admired the collection of antique clocks that were displayed on tables and shelves throughout the many rooms leading to the viewing atrium where the family greeted guests. There were Black Forest German Cuckoo clocks, complete with little diorama dancers that circled at the top of each hour in the room nearest the entry hall, Versailles-style mantle clocks with over-the-top gilt décor in the following room that had several fancy stuffed sofas for holding hushed conversations, and in the narrow hallway right before the atrium a duo of early-American Grandfather and Grandmother clocks. She wondered if perhaps James, being a funeral director, was slightly obsessed with time? Surely, he had seen many who an accident or cruel twist of fate seemed to cheat.

  Kathy signed her name on the guest book resting just outside the atrium. “James must keep Nathaniel and Tristan in business. Those clocks are worth a small fortune.”

  Vivienne signed her name under Kathy’s and quickly scanned those who were listed above. She recognized a few downtown business owners, such as Tony DiSanto, but most were unfamiliar to her. She guessed quite a few were from the trailer park where Natalie, Eddie, and Connor had resided for the past few months.

  “Vera?” A familiar voice called out as she stepped into the atrium with Kathy.

  Kathy scowled at the woman who approached them with open arms. “Is she talking to us?”

  “Vera French.” Sally Rollins pushed past Kathy and wrapped her arms around Vivienne. “I had a feeling you’d be here. What a sad day.”

  Kathy’s eyes narrowed as she remembered Vivienne explaining to her how she impersonated a journalist on the day of Eddie’s attack. “Here we go again.”

  Vivienne cringed slightly in response to the hug. She hadn’t seen Sally since that day in the trailer park and she felt incredibly guilty for not going back to explain her little white lie. “It’s good to see you again.”

  Sally was dressed up in a simple black sweater and skirt combo that looked right off the racks of the bargain section at one of the outlet stores due to ill-fitting proportions. The shoulders still had little points from the plastic hangar that poked out like horns, and the skirt stuck together in strange spots thanks to static cling. From her neck, dangled a simple gold chain with the figure of an angel knelt in prayer. “Isn’t this just tragic?” She asked. “Are you doing a follow up story?”

  Vivienne wanted to come clean but this wasn’t the place to do it. If Sally raised a stink, it could ruin her plan to speak quietly with Natalie and perhaps get a glimpse into what happened that dreadful day. “Well, I’m just here to give my condolences to Natalie and little Connor.”

  “Of course.” Sally nodded. “But, if you need any more reactions from neighbors, I’d be happy to oblige.”

  “Thank you, but I won’t be needing that as I’m not writing a story.” Vivienne politely turned to face Kathy. “Have I introduced you to Sally Rollins?”

  Sally ignored Vivienne’s attempt to change the conversation. “I’ve had offers from other news stations and papers to give my story, you know. But I wanted to save it for you because you were first on the scene. I think that’s only fair.”

  “That’s very generous of you, but I can assure you I’m not here on assignment. I’m just here to offer comfort to Natalie and her son.” Vivienne tried once more to explain, but she could see the stars in Sally’s eyes and she wasn’t going to be pushed aside so easily.

  “I understand.” Sally winked at Vivienne. “You’ll get a better story if you don’t have the notepad and cameras around. I’ve been interviewed for stories before, you know. I have the tapes at home if you want to review them. One was at the gas station last year talking about high prices around the holidays and the other was about natural gas drilling around the lakes.”

  Vivienne noticed that some of the other people in line were starting to look at them and that was last thing she wanted. “I appreciate the offer, Sally, but I don’t think this moment is about us. This is to mourn the loss of a husband and father.”

  Sally nodded back eagerly. “So you want me to talk about Eddie in a nice way for the story? I can do that. He wasn’t an upstanding citizen in any way, but I can put a spin on it. Is that the right term you people use?”

  Kathy shook her head and stepped in to stop the momentum of the conversation. “Excuse me, we haven’t been properly introduced.”

  Vivienne cast a look of desperation at Kathy. “I can’t believe how rude I’ve been.”

  Kathy extended her hand to Sally and shook it vigorously. “Karen Monroe, I’m so pleased to meet you.”

  Sally smiled. “Do you work at one of the television stations? You look sort of familiar. Are you an anchor for the Syracuse news?”

  “Oh, people say that all the time but I’m not in the media.” Kathy smiled back. “I’m Vera’s lesbian partner.”

  Sally pulled her hand back quickly. “Oh, my.”

  Vivienne felt her face flush red with embarrassment. “Karen,” she spoke through a forced smile, “you really needn’t be so forward.”

  “Why not?” Kathy played back with glee. “Isn’t this one of your ex-girlfriends? There are so many I just can’t keep track. I thought you dated a Sally in the past?”

  Sally stepped back, clutching her necklace. “Heavens no. Why would you think that? I’m a good Christian woman.“

  Kathy shrugged. “I know her type and you fit it perfectly, sister.”

  “I’m not a lesbian.” Sally could barely get the words out of her mouth. “I’m normal.”

  “Oh, then I beg your pardon.” Kathy grinned and batted her eyes at Vivienne. “I’m ashamed to admit that I’m kind of the jealous type.”

  Vivienne looked down at the floor, playing along with the ruse. “Yes, you really need to work on that when we’re out in public.”

  Sally glanced down at her watch and let out a little gasp. “I’ve got to hit the road.” She reached into her purse and pulled out an obnoxiously long keychain that had a pink-haired good luck troll dangling off the end. “The kids will be hollering like little banshees if I’m late getting dinner on the table.”

  “It was great meeting you.” Kathy waved with a huge smile. “Maybe we can all meet sometime soon for drinks?”

  Sally hurried toward the exit as fast as her scuffed flats could carry here. “I don’t think so. The holidays are so hectic and all.” She opened her mouth to say something else, but changed her mind and disappeared into the cold wind outside.

  “That was brilliant.” Vivienne marveled. “I really should have taken you with me to the trailer park that day.”

  “She wasn’t going to let you out of her sight in here.” Kathy reasoned. “I had to come up with something that would make her uncomfortable enough to leave.”

  “Well, that worked like a charm.” Vivienne replied. “I wish I could lie so casually.”

  “That’s why I’m here.” Kathy grinned and wrapped her arm around Vivienne’s waist. “Stick with me, babe. I’ll have you up to speed in no time.” She winked.

  The line slowly wound around the edge of the room where an open casket holding the body of Eddie Robertson was flanked with two rather lackluster displays of black and white carnations that said ‘bereaved on a budget’ quite noticeably.

  Natalie was standing off to the side, wearing a simple black dress and a pair of sensible heels that she had kicked off to side to be more comfortable on the carpet. She looked pale and gaunt, her fine black hair pulled back into a simple pony tail. Seated on the floor near her, Connor, dressed in a little navy blue suit, was engrossed in a game of chase with a pair of toy cars that he pushed around the legs of the folding chairs nearby.

  Kathy reached out and offered her hand to Natalie. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  Natalie barely seemed to notice her. “Thank you.” She spoke back, her voice barely a whisper.

  Kathy stepped aside and allowed Vivienne a moment to share with Natalie. “Your son is just precious.
”

  “Thank you.” Natalie repeated.

  “I’m sorry for your loss.” Vivienne felt awkward using the standard opening line as she faced Natalie.

  Natalie squinted as she tried to place Vivienne. “Thank you.” She spoke softly.

  “How are you holding up?”

  “One day at a time.” Natalie answered. “I wish we had the innocence bliss of children, though.” She gestured to Connor.

  Vivienne paused for a moment before the casket. The conservative suit that had been a burial staple for years was missing. Eddie was dressed in a light blue bowling shirt and a pair of dark denim pants. In the front pocket of his shirt, a photo of Natalie and Connor embracing was sticking out. “He was so young.”

  Natalie’s eyes widened as recognition set it. “I remember you now. You were at the gingerbread house competition.”

  “Yes. We met outside the bathroom.” Vivienne confirmed. She reached into her purse and pulled out the envelope with the prize money in it. “You won a prize that night.”

  Natalie accepted the envelope and looked inside of it. “I did?”

  “I’m sure you could use it now.” Vivienne added.

  “You are so kind.” Natalie’s eyes filled with tears that began to run down her cheeks. “I’m sorry I didn’t recognize you sooner but all this has been such a shock.”

  Vivienne opened her arms for a hug. “That’s perfectly okay.”

  “It’s all been such a blur since we left the hospital.” Natalie dabbed at her eyes with a crumpled tissue that was nearly soaked through. “I keep thinking it’s just a bad dream I’m going to wake up from.”

  “I can’t say that I know what you’re going though because I haven’t.” Vivienne tried to comfort her. “But, you have my deepest sympathies for your loss and if you ever need someone to talk things over with, my bakery is right on Main Street. It feels like I spend more time there than at my actual home.”

  “You’re the Deputy’s girlfriend, aren’t you?”