The Best Things in Life

by Kate Sweeney

  “About what?”

  “Well, Jerry and Therese have two ungrateful kids. Growing up, they were just, I don’t know, they always wanted more than they had. So, when they went off to college and started their own lives, they wanted their parents to turn the property into resorts and all that, then they would consider coming back and taking care of it. They wanted Jerry and Therese to believe it was for them, they were getting old and the kids didn’t want them working. Everyone saw right through it.”

  “That stinks.”

  Betty laughed. “It did. Of course, they refused, and years later when Therese passed, the kids threatened to get a lawyer knowing the property wasn’t bequeathed to them. Morgan tried to talk to them. It was ugly. In the end, they had to be satisfied with what their parents left them, and believe me, they were not left out in the cold. We haven’t seen them in a long, long time.”

  “Hmm. That’s so sad. Is that when Morgan considered leaving?”

  “No, that was later. She met a woman.” Betty shook her head.

  Cara laughed. “A femme fatale?”

  “In the worst sense of the term, unfortunately. She was vacationing here one summer. They met, dated, fell in love. Well, at least Morgan did.” Betty stopped and regarded Cara. “She’ll kill me for telling you this.”

  “Maybe you shouldn’t?”

  “No. I think you need to know. You asked for insight, and this story is loaded with it.” She looked at the clock on the mantel, then out the window at the stormy day. “It’s nearly three. They’ve been gone a while.”

  Cara didn’t want her to worry, so she quickly asked, “So, a femme fatale?”

  “What? Oh, right. The Snake, as I like to refer to her. Do not write that down.”

  “I won’t.” Cara was going to make a joke, but Betty suddenly seemed far too serious.

  “She lived in Minneapolis, had some big job. I don’t know. She did her best to make Morgan believe she could do better there. Morgan almost believed her.” Betty caressed her wedding ring.

  Cara watched her in silence; this was taking a very serious turn. The crack of thunder made them jump, followed by a blinding flash of lightning. Cara was on the edge of her seat.

  “I won’t go into the details. I think Morgan should tell you. But as you can see, she did not move to Minneapolis and is no longer seeing The Snake. That was five years ago. It was a hard lesson to learn.”

  Cara knew there was much, much more to this story. But for now, she didn’t want to press it. When the ham radio let loose with some loud static, Betty jumped up and ran to it.

  She grabbed the receiver, juggling it like a hot potato. “For the love of God…” She finally got a hold of it. “Andy? Andy? It’s Betty. Andy?”

  “Betty, are you there?”

  “I’m here.”

  “Betty…It’s Andy.”

  “I know,” Betty said into the receiver.

  “Betty, if you’re there, you have to let go of the button so I can hear you. First turn the knob on the left.”

  Betty looked at the radio and groaned. “Good Lord. Why do they make these radios so hard to operate?”

  Cara rubbed her forehead while Betty turned every knob on the radio, or whatever it was, all the while saying, “Hello, hello.”

  Finally, Andy heard her. “There you are, Betty.”

  “Andy, what’s going on?”

  There was a good deal of background static while Andy talked.

  “We still haven’t found them. It’s a bad storm here on this side of the island. Morg is out there, but her radio went out.”

  “Where’s Chuck?”

  “He’s at Barry’s. Barry called the police. We won’t be able to fly soon with this lightning. And now it’s freezing.”

  Then the static got really bad. They only heard every other word from Andy. But they did hear that everyone was safe. Then it was only static.

  Betty set the receiver down. Cara put her arm around her shoulders.

  “At least they’re all safe,” Cara said. “They won’t fly in this lightning.”

  “You don’t know Morgan. She can be stubborn.” She sniffed loudly, taking a tissue out of her pocket. “She gets that from her father.”

  Cara laughed and hugged her once more.

  “Well, let’s go sit by the fire. I hate this useless feeling.”

  “We can continue with my interview. That should pass the time.”

  Betty eased into the chair by the fire. “I love a good fire.”

  “I do too.” Cara watched Betty, who smiled while watching the fire. “You’re very happy here, aren’t you?”

  “Of course.”

  “Never wanted to live anywhere else?”

  Betty looked at her with a quizzical smile. “Like where?”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Anywhere warm.”

  Betty laughed. “It does get a wee bit chilly here in the winter. Much like Chicago. Have you ever thought of moving someplace warm?”

  “Always.”

  “And why don’t you?”

  “I suppose I like where I live. Morgan and I had this conversation last night. I love the change of seasons. But I have to admit, the severity of the winter can be brutal.” Cara shrugged. “I love snow. That’s crazy, right?”

  “Not at all. I love the winter, as well. Morgan jokes about hunkering down for a few months.”

  “I know, with plenty of firewood, a stocked freezer, and a wine rack.”

  Betty laughed. “Yes. I saw that empty bottle. So, you got into the wine last night, eh? What else did you two get into?”

  “Nothing, Betty. I see those wheels turning. I’m here for a story, and that’s all.”

  “Well, it doesn’t hurt to know Morgan’s favorite. And it’s apple pie.”

  “I thought the coffee cake was her favorite.”

  “Oh, right. Well, she has many.”

  “How does she keep in such fit shape?”

  “Hmm. You noticed her figure?”

  “Betty…” Cara warned her.

  Betty just laughed as though she was enjoying herself.

  Cara inhaled deeply. “I love the smell of apple pie.”

  “Apple pie is the easiest thing in the world. Next to chicken soup.”

  “Or ordering it.”

  Betty laughed again. “You youngsters.”

  “Youngsters? Just how old do you think I am?”

  Betty studied her for a moment. “I’d say forty.”

  “Wow, you’re good. I’m forty-three.”

  “You’re a baby. But then, Morgan likes younger women.”

  “Betty, stop that. There is nothing between me and your daughter.”

  “Well, of course not, you just got here. Good Lord.”

  Cara hung her head and sighed. She had such a headache.

  Chapter 7

  The house smelled like the apple pie that was now cooling on the windowsill in the kitchen. Betty was reading or gave the appearance of such; she glanced at the clock occasionally. Now she had Cara doing it while she tried to concentrate on her notes.

  The rain still came. All day. Though the thunder and lightning subsided an hour ago. It was nearly five thirty and no other calls from Andy or Barry, whoever he was. Cara’s stomach was in knots; she could only imagine how Betty felt.

  Then they heard a car, and they both ran to the front door. There stood Morgan, completely soaked, and Chuck right beside her.

  “Get in here.”

  Cara grabbed Morgan’s arm, guiding her into the living room. Betty hugged the life out of Chuck.

  “Are you all right?” she whispered.

  Chuck kissed her forehead. “I’m fine, sweetie. We’re both fine, but Morgan is soaked to the bone.”

  “We couldn’t fly when the lightning started earlier. Sorry I couldn’t call.” Morgan smiled at Cara. “Sorry.”

  Cara watched Morgan, who looked exhausted. When Betty stripped her jacket off, Cara noticed the pain flash across Morgan’s face.


  “We found them about an hour ago,” Chuck said.

  “We’ll talk later. Get out of those clothes. I’ll get a hot bath going.”

  Betty ran out of the living room. Cara regarded Morgan.

  “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine. Just cold and wet.” She ran her fingers through her wet hair. “I smell apple pie.”

  “That’s what I smell,” Chuck said. “Now I’m hungry.”

  Cara laughed. “Betty tried to keep busy.”

  Morgan smiled tiredly. “I’m sorry I couldn’t call. Everything’s down. Thanks for staying with Mom. She must have been worried.”

  “She was. Andy called but didn’t say much. Go, get out of those wet clothes now.”

  “Chuck, there’s coffee on the stove.” Cara ushered Morgan down the hall to the bathroom. Betty met them at the door.

  “All set. Get in that hot tub. Do you need any help?”

  “No, Mom. I’ve been bathing for quite some time now. Thanks.” She leaned over and kissed Betty on the cheek.

  “I was offering for Cara.”

  Morgan let out a tired laugh. “Stop it. I’m fine, ladies. Thanks.” She waved goodbye as she closed the door.

  Betty let out a deep sigh of relief. “I need to make dinner. And—”

  “I know. I can help.”

  She followed Betty back to the kitchen, the heart of this home, to be sure.

  Chuck had his hands wrapped warmly around a steaming mug of coffee. Betty ran her fingers through his white hair.

  “You better not tell me you flew around with Morgan.”

  “She wouldn’t let me. I stayed with Barry. Marvin showed up with a few deputies. There wasn’t much to do while it was raining.”

  “Well, I’m glad you’re back.” Betty looked at Cara. “Did you ever make a hot dish?”

  “A what?”

  Chuck laughed into his coffee mug.

  “I’ll take that as a no. Tuna hot dish with tater tots. It’s Mor—”

  “Morgan’s favorite. Is there anything she doesn’t like?”

  Betty and Chuck looked at each other. “Caviar.”

  Cara shook her head. “I’ll remember.”

  She watched as Betty prepared the indigenous dish. When she finished, she presented it to Cara. “Doesn’t it look yummy?”

  “It’s tuna casserole with tater tots on top.”

  Chuck laughed again. “She doesn’t know what it is, sweetie.”

  “Chicagoan.” Betty looked offended as she put it in the oven.

  They both turned when Morgan stood in the doorway.

  “I’m so glad you two are getting along.”

  Morgan looked exhausted, but at least she was in warm, dry clothes. When Morgan pushed up the sleeve on her sweatshirt, Cara noticed a deep scratch on her arm.

  “Cara doesn’t know what a hot dish is,” Chuck said. “It’s so sad.”

  Cara laughed. “It’s a tuna casserole.”

  “It is not. It’s—I’m not going to argue. Morgan, coffee?”

  “I’d rather have a glass of wine.”

  “Not until you eat.”

  Morgan rolled her eyes and obediently sat at the table. Cara poured her a cup of coffee.

  “Cream, no sugar,” Betty said to Cara.

  “Yes, Mom.”

  Chuck frowned as he regarded Morgan. “What’s that on your sweatshirt?”

  Cara set the coffee cup on the table. Morgan looked down at her shirt. Cara saw a small amount of blood on the front of her sweatshirt.

  “Huh. I think I sprung a leak.”

  Betty quickly rushed over to her with Cara right beside her. Betty cautiously lifted her sweatshirt.

  “Your wound opened, you fool.”

  “Thank you,” Morgan said, chuckling.

  “Damn it, Morgan.” She turned to Cara. “You’re not squeamish, are you?”

  “Of course not. I—” Cara stopped. “Why? What are you going to do?”

  “Mom…”

  “Shut up and go lie down on the couch,” Betty said before regarding Cara. “Go in the bathroom, under the sink. There’s some cotton, peroxide, and everything, you’ll see.”

  “Right.”

  Cara ran to the bathroom. She grabbed whatever she could.

  Chuck and Morgan laughed when she returned.

  “You said everything.” Cara stood there with her arms full.

  Betty reached in. “Summer’s Eve?”

  Morgan laughed, then winced. Cara was mortified; she felt the heat rise in her face.

  “I-I didn’t see that.” She emptied her first-aid equipment on the table.

  Betty picked up the bottle of peroxide and a handful of cotton balls.

  Cara looked over her shoulder. “Ooh, that’s going to sting.”

  Chuck agreed. “Like the devil.”

  Morgan raised her head and glared at them. “You two seem to enjoy that idea too much.”

  Betty laughed evilly before she applied the antiseptic. Morgan arched her back and stifled a yelp; she then laughed through gritted teeth.

  Cara winced in empathy as Betty swabbed the wound on her ribcage.

  “You just got those stitches out, Morgan,” Betty said absently. “Henry told you to lay low for a couple weeks. And here you are, flying in a lightning storm.”

  “I think I hit my side when the wind blew the door of the plane.”

  “What happened?” Cara sat on the coffee table.

  “Two guys went fishing,” Chuck said. “They fell out of the canoe when it hit a boulder. Then the storm came, and they made it to an island. They had nothing. It all went with the canoe, which was an old-fashioned canoe made of wood.” Morgan looked at Cara and grinned. “City folk.”

  “Betty, you might want to look at the scratch on her forearm and put some of that peroxide on it.” Cara smiled sweetly when Morgan glared at her.

  “It’s fine.”

  “Oh, no. You don’t want to get it infected, do you?” Cara asked. “We’d hate to call you Stumpy.”

  Anger flashed across Morgan’s face, then she started to laugh. “I deserved that one.”

  “It’s a private joke, right?” Betty then pulled Morgan’s sweatshirt down. “There. You’re all set. Let’s see the scratch.”

  When she finished, Morgan winced, pulling her sleeve down.

  “Can I have a glass of wine now?” she asked.

  “I think she deserves one,” Cara said to Betty.

  “Got any bourbon in this house?” Chuck asked, offering his coffee cup.

  Betty glared at him. “Just one. Come with me.”

  “Why?” Chuck said, then winced when Betty pinched the top of his shoulder. “Okay, okay. Leave some skin, woman.”

  Betty returned with the bottle of wine and two glasses. “Dinner should be ready in fifteen minutes.” She made a hasty retreat to the kitchen.

  “Are you all right?” Cara asked, pouring the wine into the pheasant glass.

  Morgan nodded and winced as she sat up. Cara took a pillow, placing it behind her back.

  “Thanks.” Morgan took the glass of wine, offering a toast to Cara.

  “You’re welcome. So, your heroics have no bounds.”

  “Oh, please.” Morgan shifted uncomfortably. “And don’t you dare write about that.”

  Cara nearly choked on her wine. “Oh, yes, I will.”

  “Oh, no, you won’t.”

  “Morgan, that’s why I’m here. So, tell me what happened.”

  Morgan grumbled into her glass. “Pop just told you. They had never been out on this lake before, and they got caught in a storm. Andy and I and a few other folks finally found them, and they’re fine. No big deal.”

  “Why don’t I believe you?”

  Morgan grinned. “I don’t know. I think I’m believable.”

  Cara realized that Morgan looked like a little girl with that damnable grin. “What were you like as a child?”

  Morgan settled back against the pillow
. “Shorter and no gray hair. I was a little pudgy, too. Baby fat till I was ten or so. Then I shot up like a weed and—”

  “You’re not going to make this easy, are you?” Cara took a drink of wine.

  Morgan grinned. “I’m just having fun with you. I don’t get much of a chance to have snappy repartee with an attractive woman.”

  Cara took a long gulp. “Are you sure you didn’t take a blow to the head?”

  “I’m sure,” Morgan said softly. She smiled then. “You are attractive. Surely someone must have told you that before.”

  “I need to keep this on a professional basis.”

  “Why?”

  Cara blinked. “Well, because I’m here on business.”

  “Not every minute.”

  “Well, no. Not every minute.”

  “What do you do for fun?”

  “Huh?”

  “Fun. You know. Do you like to go to the movies? Or take long walks along Lake Michigan?”

  Cara regarded her. “Are you making fun of me?”

  “Not in the least.”

  “Lake Michigan is beautiful in the summer.”

  “How about the fall?”

  “Now? The colors are changing. The stores along the Magnificent Mile are getting ready for the holidays.”

  “Magnificent Mile?”

  “Michigan Avenue downtown. All sorts of stores and restaurants.”

  “Expensive?”

  “It can be, yes.”

  “Maybe you can show me when we get there.”

  Cara looked into her eyes. Morgan grinned, placing her hands behind her head. Cara reluctantly laughed.

  “I have a feeling you’re going to be a handful. I’ll get you a tour guide.”

  Cara looked up to see Betty and Chuck standing in the kitchen doorway. Betty let out a deep sigh.

  “Dinner’s ready,” Betty announced happily. “Let’s eat out here.”

  Cara couldn’t remember the last time she ate at a tray table. Or the last time she ate tater tots. But the casserole was delicious, as was the apple pie. Comfort Food 101. And with that kind of a meal, there was only one outcome. She yawned, trying to keep her eyes open. It felt like Thanksgiving when her father would loosen his belt after dinner and fall asleep in the recliner, which was what Chuck was doing right now.

  She glanced at Morgan, who looked about the same.