“I better run. I left Larry with the kids and last time he let them eat pizza in the family room.”
“I’ll see you later, then,” said Yvette, as she leaned into the cart. She let out a small, “oof” as she got the cart rolling again. “Have to get back to the Y,” she mumbled, as she absently felt her waistline.
At home Yvette carried in all of the groceries, placing her small treat behind the bag of sugar in the cupboard next to the sink. She thought about making just one cup before getting ready for Bunko but wasn’t sure there was enough time.
“I’m gonna’ take the kids to McDonald’s, okay?” Bob was standing in the narrow doorway of the kitchen in his stocking feet holding his work boots in one hand.
Yvette raised her eyes in mock surprise. “What sparked this generous mood?”
“Don’t know, been having a good day. Thought I’d spread it around a little. Kids get to eat a Happy Meal, you get a little time to yourself before you head out. Everybody wins.”
“You are a good husband,” said Yvette, kissing her husband.
“I know that,” said Bob. “Kids?” he called out, “come on, hit the road. We’re gonna’ head for the golden arches.”
Yvette listened to their squeals as they raced around the house. It was a rare treat made all the more special by getting to ride along. Usually Yvette or Bob would run out quickly and bring it all back home. Three kids could cause a lot of mayhem and spilled soda in a minivan.
It’s a good life, thought Yvette as she turned on the TV to the local news and opened the cabinet by the sink. Just one little cup.
“Two deaths seemingly unrelated but both without a known cause were reported today in the West End of Richmond,” said the familiar anchorman on channel 12. Yvette always watched the same news stations. She felt like she knew the entire team and would even wave when she saw one of them around town. Richmond really is a small town, she thought.
“One man was a resident of the Penbrooke subdivision and the other was a woman who was living in the Fairview condominiums. Both were thought to be healthy but in the span of a moment dropped dead in front of their families. Police are not saying whether or not they believe foul play is involved but characterize the deaths as suspicious. A police official noted that it was an unusual circumstance. Autopsies are to be performed.”
“Hmph,” muttered Yvette. “Probably nothing.” Nothing much ever happened in Richmond, thought Yvette. Everybody knows that.
She hummed a little tune as she poured the water into the old coffee maker and measured out an even spoonful. She could hardly wait to taste it.
Later, her family would find her slumped over in the chair, her head on the table with a small purple bruise the size of a half dollar, right in the center of her forehead. The news would be over by then.
Bob had quickly called 911 as he pushed the children into the family room while yelling his wife’s name as loud as he could, over and over again in the vain hope that he could still demand she rouse.
The neighbors came running over as soon as they saw the ambulance and police cars gather out front.
“What happened?” said Bob, to anyone in a uniform. Surely, someone could tell him how he could turn his back for just a moment and the neat little lines around his life got the chance to fade away.
Bunko was cancelled that night and all of the girls came over to help Bob with looking after the kids. Someone pulled out a notebook and a makeshift schedule was started with the different women volunteering for bringing over meals, cleaning or babysitting. By then the coffee that had been sitting in the cup next to Yvette’s body had grown cold and was poured down the sink. The pot had been left on in all of the commotion and was burned on the bottom. A helping hand shoved it into the dishwasher.
The small brown bag of ground coffee was finally shut and placed into the nearest cabinet as the counters were quickly wiped down. It would be weeks before anyone went looking for it again. Bob never drank coffee. He said it always gave him a sour stomach.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Wallis stopped by the office on her way home. Laurel had called several times and said that Madame Bella was insistent that she see Wallis. She had forgotten about the appointment and tried to beg off but Laurel told her Madame Bella had climbed the stairs and was sitting in her office. She was refusing to leave until she saw Wallis.
“I’m going to have to miss Bunko and I forgot to tell Ginger,” she said to Laurel as she came in the door. “No time to call her now.”
“She’s got the turban and robe and everything,” said Laurel.
“Did she say what it’s about?” said Wallis as she handed Laurel her coat.
“No, and I tried, like a good assistant will do. She seems prepared to camp out if necessary. Very determined. Maybe she knew you were destined to come back here,” said Laurel, smiling.
Wallis rolled her eyes as she quickly took the stairs.