The Darling Dahlias and the Cucumber Tree

“You’re right,” Ophelia broke in. Once Mildred got started talking about undisciplined children, she’d never stop. “So what happened when you went into the store?” she prompted.

Mildred turned the corner onto Ophelia’s street. “Well, like I said, I didn’t see anybody right away, so I went toward the back, where the medicines are. You know the curtain that hangs over the door between the pharmacy area and the storage at the back?”

Ophelia nodded.

“Mr. Lima and Miss Scott were behind the curtain,” Mildred said avidly. “I could see their shadows.” She turned to look at Ophelia, her eyes very wide. “He was kissing her, Ophelia! Not in a friendly way, either. Passionate, just like in the movies.”

“Oh, my gracious!” Ophelia was utterly shocked. “Mr. Lima? Why, he’s a deacon in the Baptist church! What was she doing?”

Mildred gave what sounded like a snicker. “Well, of course I couldn’t exactly see, since they were behind the curtain. But she definitely wasn’t fighting him off. In fact, I’d say she was giving every bit as good as she got, if you want to put it that way.” They had reached Ophelia’s house. Mildred pulled up in front and turned off the engine.

“But Mr. Lima is married!” Ophelia protested. “Plus, he must be thirty years older than Bunny is. Was,” she corrected herself quickly. And really, there was no point in passing judgment. Whatever Bunny Scott had done, it was all in the past. Nobody but the good Lord could judge the poor girl now, and maybe He’d be lenient, seeing that she was so young and hadn’t had proper bringing-up.

Mildred leaned both arms against the steering wheel. “Plus,” she added in a knowing tone, “Mrs. Lima is the jealous type. Remember Nadine Tillman?”

“Nadine Tillman.” Ophelia pursed her lips, frowning. “I know who she is, but I don’t exactly remember ... Didn’t she work at the drugstore a while back?”

“Last year, after she got out of high school. But Mrs. Lima found out that Mr. Lima was getting fresh with her.”

“Mildred!”

“Exactly. And this is no gossip, Ophelia. I know it for a fact, ‘cause Mrs. Lima’s maid is my Jubilee’s cousin. Jubilee said they were talkin’ about it all over Maysville. You know you can’t keep a thing from the help—especially something like this.”

Knowing what she knew about the way news got around, Ophelia could not discount this source. And by now, she was deeply interested, in spite of herself—not to mention that this shocking information seemed like something she ought to share with Verna and Lizzy.

“What happened when Mrs. Lima found out about Nadine Tillman?” she asked.

“Well, I don’t know what Mrs. Lima said to Mr. Lima, of course. But I can tell you that he fired Nadine. Just flat-out fired her, no notice or anything. The girl left town. Nadine’s mother said she was headed to Chicago to look for work, but she’s never heard from her. Not a peep. Never even got a postcard. Just plain gone. And that’s been over a year ago. For a while, Mrs. Tillman talked about hiring a private detective, but Mr. Tillman got laid off out at the Coca-Cola plant, so that’s out.”

“My goodness,” Ophelia said weakly. Of course, young people these days didn’t always keep in touch, but this definitely sounded suspicious.

“Which, to tell the truth,” Mildred added in a significant tone, “is why I was curious about Bunny Scott. I was wondering just how she managed to drive into Pine Mill Creek.” She paused. “I mean, I have never been one to cast aspersions. If I didn’t already know what I know about Nadine Tillman dropping off the face of the earth, maybe I wouldn’t think anything of it. But it does seem to me that it is just too coincidental. Don’t you think? Nadine disappearing the way she did. And then Bunny Scott driving into that creek.”

Ophelia shivered, not liking what she was hearing. “They didn’t see you, did they?” she asked apprehensively. “Mr. Lima and Bunny Scott, I mean.”

Mildred shook her head. “I decided the aspirin could wait. I went to Hancock’s and bought some groceries and went back to the drugstore after that. When I walked in, both of them—Mr. Lima and that girl—were as cool as cucumbers. You’d never know anything had happened between them.” She turned the key in the ignition and the Dodge started smoothly. “Well, I have to go. Thanks for letting me dump all this. As I said, I’m not one to cast aspersions. But I just had to tell somebody. And you’re such a good listener. Really, Ophelia, we ought to see more of each other.”

“Sure,” Ophelia replied, and said good-bye. By nature, she was not a suspicious sort of person. But as she went up the steps to her front porch, she couldn’t help wondering whether Mrs. Lima knew about Mr. Lima and Bunny Scott. And if she did, what she might have said. Or done.