Lethal Lasagna

by Rhonda Gibson

  “Of course I am. I’m giving up all this to sleep on your porch.” He laughed, extending his arms to encompass the whole house.

  We continued up the staircase and into an exercise room. A treadmill, weight bench, and exercise bike were the instruments of torture here.

  He pulled down a ladder from the ceiling. “The cot is up here. I’ll get it.” Brandon climbed the stairs with ease.

  I couldn’t imagine how he would get a cot down those steps by himself. All the folding beds I’d seen were heavy and bulky.

  A plastic slide slowly came down the stairs. “If you’ll slow it down, I’ll send the bed down.”

  “OK.” I moved to the end of the slide.

  A few moments later, a folded bed slid down. I caught it at the bottom, moved it off the plastic, and smiled up.

  “Good catch.” He pulled the slide back up and within moments stood beside me once more.

  “That’s pretty clever.” I said.

  He picked up the cot and grinned. “That is something my Dad taught me. He invented all types of things.”

  I followed him back out to the pickup. “Did you inherit any of those skills?”

  He shoved the cot in the back of the truck and grinned at me. “Come with me and I’ll let you decide if I inherited any of dad’s handiness.”

  I felt like a puppy on a leash as he led me once more. We went around the side of the house and across a short back yard to a building that stood off to the side.

  “This is my workshop.” He pulled the door open.

  The aroma of freshly cut timber filled my nostrils. I inhaled deeply, enjoying the woody scent. As I stepped over the threshold I realized the floor was covered in sawdust. Two windows allowed the room to fill with sunshine, displaying wonderful raw furniture.

  “You made all these?” I ran my hand over a bookshelf. The wood felt warm and soft to the touch.

  He leaned against the door jam. “I did. I had planned to finish that dresser this morning, but since you want to get back to your house, I guess it can wait.”

  I heard the disappointment in his voice. A glance at my watch revealed it was nine A.M. “We can stay a couple of hours, if you want.”

  A smile brightened his face and eyes. “That’s about all the time I’ll need.” He kissed me on the cheek, and then stepped past.

  It had been such a quick kiss, and he’d crossed the room and started working before I knew what happened. I asked myself as I walked to a big shade tree with a wooden bench under it in the back yard, did I seem like a star struck girl? Heat filled my cheeks. Probably.

  TITLE

  Lethal Lasagna

  Chapter 15

  After sitting down, I opened my pocketbook and pulled out Mitzi’s date book. It fell open to today’s date. She had written in purple, Writing Class, wear yellow outfit with my white hat and white daisy earrings.

  A smile touched my lips as my gaze moved to the workshop. I could see Brandon through the open door. He lifted his hand and waved. What were my feelings for him? I reminded myself that I didn’t have time to dwell on romance right now. But, if I did, he’d have my undivided attention. The shameful thought took me by surprise.

  Well maybe not total surprise.

  I returned my concentration to the book in hand and flipped the page. Written in green were the words, Rose Hat Club Tea. Wear my purple jumper with my Rose Hat and matching red shoes, the ones with the purple and gold rhinestones.

  Mitzi had an outfit for everything. My friend planned every day what she would wear. I had no idea she did this so far in advance. I pulled my legs up and swiveled around so that my feet rested on the bench and my back was pressed against the side rail.

  My thoughts went to her closets. I still needed to clean them out and make a call to her son to see what he wanted me to do with Mitzi’s things. I made a mental note to do that this evening after our writing class.

  I flipped to the back of the book and discovered a section for addresses. Each person’s name, address, and phone number was listed in straight black ink pen writing. Mitzi hadn’t made a mistake on any of them as far as I could see. My address book looks like a kindergartener wrote in it. Under the letter R, I discovered all the Rose Hat Club members’ names.

  There was an even ten in the group. I recognized a couple of the names, but the rest were all strangers to me. “What am I going to wear in the morning?” I mumbled to myself.

  “To what?”

  Brandon’s voice startled me. I jerked upright. “To the Rose Hat Club tea tomorrow.”

  “Something red?” He wiped his hands on a yellow dishtowel.

  “Of course, something red. I guess I’ll need to go shopping for a hat with roses on it.” I swung my legs around and made room for him to sit down.

  “When?”

  “I don’t know,” I looked up at him. “Sometime today or in the morning.”

  He nodded. “I’m thirsty. Would you like to come inside? I’ll make a pitcher of ice tea.”

  “Sure.” I tucked Mitzi’s date book back inside my purse and stood. “How’s the dresser coming along?”

  “Good. I’m almost done.” He held the door open for me.

  Feeling like a real lady, I walked past him and headed toward the kitchen. “That’s great.”

  He followed. “Yes, when it’s done I’ll call Mr. Foster and see if he’d like for me to take it over to his place.”

  “I didn’t realize you built the furniture for other people. Why don’t you open a shop and sell out of it?”

  “I might someday, but right now I enjoy working from home.” He searched around the kitchen, opening and closing cabinets. He frowned as he finally gave up.

  “What are you looking for?” I asked.

  “The tea pitcher.” He moved to the fridge and opened the door. “Ah, there it is. Looks like Zelda filled it with something else.”

  I watched as he opened a cabinet and pulled down two glasses. He poured the yellowish looking liquid into one and took a sip.

  “Lemonade.” He made a popping sound with his lips. “Tart lemonade.”

  His cheeks sucked in and he made fish lips. I couldn’t contain the laughter even though my brain still buzzed with the name Zelda. Who in the world was she? I’d heard of a game called that but never a person.

  He filled the glasses with ice, poured half a glass for me and smiled. “Here you go. Try some.”

  My first instinct was to say, not on your life, buddy. But the challenge in his eyes couldn’t be denied. I took the glass. Swirled the liquid inside and then took a tentative sip.

  My eyes watered, my jaw locked, and salvia built in my cheeks. Pure lemon juice. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear it was green lemons that Zelda was trying to kill us with.

  “I think she forgot to add the sugar.” Brandon laughed.

  I made an exaggerated face at him. “Ya think?” I didn’t even bother removing the sarcasm from my tone.

  His laughter deepened. Brandon pulled a canister to him and added the much-needed sugar. He mixed it and then handed a new glass to me. “How about we take this down by the lake?”

  “Sure. I’d love to see the ducks. It’s been ages since I just sat by a pond and listened to them quack.”

  He grabbed half a loaf of bread and led the way. Over his shoulder he said. “You are going to love these gals and guys, they will quack your ears off.”

  The pond looked peaceful. Brandon moved to the waters edge and tossed out several torn pieces of bread. We watched as several ducks swam toward us, quacking hellos. At least I thought that’s what they were quacking.

  We set our lemonade on a small bench. I sat to enjoy the shade and the calming sensation that nature brings, as the smell of pine and cedar filled the air. Brandon continued to feed the ducks.

  A mother duck noticed us and came swimming our way. Five baby chicks followed close behind. “Oh, they’re so sweet.”

  Brandon grinned. “And greedy.”

  As I wat
ched the babies run for the food, I had to agree with him. The mama herded them as best she could, but with bread on the ground there was no way she could keep the little chicks close to her.

  “Here you go.” Brandon held a little yellow baby in his hands. He gently handed it over to me. The little bird flapped its short wings; its webbed feet felt rough against the skin of my hands.

  I petted the downy feathers for a few moments and then returned the baby to its mother. “Thanks.” I smiled up at him. His eyes sparkled down at me.

  He threw out the remainder of the bread and sat down. His warm arm brushed mine. Silly as it sounds, I shivered. We watched the ducks finish off the crumbs. They studied us for a few moments and then headed back into the cool water.

  “Do you mind if I ask a personal question?” Brandon leaned forward with his arms on his legs and stared out across the shimmering water.

  “Not if you don’t mind me being honest and telling you it’s none of your business, if I don’t like the question.”

  His shoulders shook with a soft chuckle. “Fair enough.”

  He remained silent and continued to gaze toward the far bank. I’d about decided he’d changed his mind when he finally spoke. “What happened to your husband?”

  I leaned my head back against the stone bench and closed my eyes. “He had a heart attack.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  I smiled. “Don’t be. The Lord knew the timing. I suspect Frank had several things wrong with him that he hadn’t shared with me. He hated going to the doctor’s and, he hated not being able to do what he wanted even more. The doctor had already told him to quit smoking, stop working so hard, and to give up all those fattening sweet foods he loved so much.”

  A bird sung in the tree over our heads. Its sweet sounds encouraged me to continue. “He’s been gone ten years, and after all this time, I’m grateful the Lord took him home sudden like. Frank would have hated suffering and having others care for him. No matter how much we loved him.”

  Brandon sat quietly. “Thanks for sharing his story with me. I’m sure you loved him very much.”

  “I did.” I wasn’t about to lie to the man. I opened my eyes and stared up into the tree branches trying to find the bird.

  He sat up. “It’s been about that long for me, too. Dory died in a car crash one stormy night. The doctors tell me she didn’t feel a thing.” He turned in the seat and took my hands in his. “I haven’t felt this kind of...emotion, in a long time.”

  His gaze drew me in. For the first time in a long time, a man seemed to be opening his heart to me. “Neither have I.” The words came out a whisper, right before his lips touched mine.

  ****

  “He really kissed you? On the mouth?” Gloria asked. She picked up a white floppy hat and set in on her dark hair.

  “Shhh. Not so loud.” I looked around. No one seemed to notice us. “Of course, on the lips. Isn’t that where most men kiss women nowadays?” I asked in mock surprise.

  “It’s been so long since one’s kissed me, I can’t honestly say.” Gloria stuck her tongue out at me and removed the hat.

  “Yeah, right. And broccoli doesn’t give you gas either does it?”

  This time Gloria turned red and looked around. “Hey, that’s personal. Keep your voice down.”

  “I will, if you will.”

  “Deal.”

  I picked up a Red Hat with a wide-brim. The body was sewn braid straw with a three and a half inch turned up brim and a gross grain hatband. A bow treatment in the back and a single white rose finished off what I considered a very beautiful and stylish hat. “What do you think of this one?” I asked.

  Gloria held a purple hat in her hands. “Oh, I like it. That bow just sets it off. What do you think of this one?”

  It was simple and reminded me of a sailor’s hat. It had a red rose glued to the front. “It’s really cute, but can I wear a purple hat and not a red one?”

  “Sure, the Rose Hat Club doesn’t care what color the hat and the rose as long as you have both. It is charming, if you don’t want it, I might buy it.” Gloria put it on her head and looked in the mirror.

  “Then you should buy it. I’ll borrow it from you sometime.” I smiled at my reflection. The rose hat looked silly and fun all at the same time. As much as I was enjoying this time with Gloria, I felt sad that she wasn’t Mitzi.

  “Ready to check out?” Gloria asked.

  I wondered if she sensed my melancholy mood swing. “Yeah, I only need one for now, and this one is perfect.” I smiled to show her I’d gotten over my moment of depression.

  We paid for the hats and then made our way to Gloria’s car. Once inside and on the road to my house, I said, “Thanks for picking me up at Brandon’s place. I appreciate you going shopping with me, too.”

  “It was fun, and I finally got to meet the handsome Brandon Harvest.” She winked at me and added. “The great kisser.”

  Heat filled my face. “I didn’t say that.” I protested.

  “You didn’t have to.” She laughed. “When I picked you up, I could tell from the dazed expression and the stars in your eyes that it was some kiss.”

  What could I say? Brandon’s kiss had dazed me. I hadn’t expected to feel love and joy spring up as quickly as it had. My husband had had that effect on me. I’d always been told that God had that one special someone, just for me. When Frank died, I thought I’d be alone forever. Now, here was Brandon bringing out those same feelings. God always has a plan. I just wondered what plan He had for Brandon and me.

  We pulled into the driveway to my house. “How about coming in for a cup of tea before you head home.”

  Gloria grinned. “Thanks but not this afternoon. I have to be getting back to my house. Believe it or not, I have a date.”

  “A date?”

  She nodded. “You’re not the only one who can attract a man at our age.”

  I got out of the car. “Call me tonight with the details.”

  “Agreed.” Gloria laughed and waved goodbye.

  Sprocket barked a greeting. I laid my package on the grass and gave him a good head rub. “Ready for your walk?” I asked him. I pushed the front door open and let the dog in a head of me.

  He ran to the kitchen. It was silly, I knew, but since someone had come inside and left the brownies I wanted him to guarantee we were alone. I’d assured Brandon I’d be fine unaccompanied during the day and that I wouldn’t eat anything someone had left for me.

  Still, I felt uneasy coming home to an empty house.

  Sprocket came back to the living room where I stood waiting. My heart pounded in my chest. “I’m being ridiculous, aren’t I, old boy?” I rubbed him behind the ear. “Come on. I’ll change clothes and then you and I will go for a long walk.”

  Once more I let the dog pass me and lead the way. Taking a deep breath, I opened each door as we traveled down the hall. First the computer room, then the bathroom, the guest room, and then I stood in front of my bedroom door. Sprocket looked up at me expectantly.

  I knew if anyone were hiding in the house this was the room they’d be in. Taking a deep breath, I twisted the knob and pushed it open.

  Sprocket barked and ran back down the hallway.

  TITLE

  Lethal Lasagna

  Chapter 16

  I squealed and ran after my dog. We dashed to the front door. To my surprise, he stopped and jumped on the screen door, his tail wagging a greeting to Sara, my next-door neighbor.

  Out of breath and with my heart pounding in my chest and ears, I felt like a fool. He hadn’t been running from danger, but had heard her on the front porch. My hand shook as I opened the door. “Hello, Sara.” I sounded as breathless as I felt.

  “Hi Claire, may I come in?” she asked, shifting from one combat boot to the other. If she noticed my breathlessness, it didn’t show in her serious expression.

  An offensive odor radiated from her body. Had the girl just stepped out of an outhouse? I resisted the urge to cri
nkle my nose as I remembered she worked in sewers.

  “Sure.” I stepped back to let her in and noticed her large lunch box. “Let’s go to the kitchen. I was just about to make a pot of tea.”

  “Thanks. If you don’t mind, I’ll leave my boots here by the door.” She was already unlacing the mud-splattered footwear. At least I hoped it were mud.