Chapter Two
Libra
“Are you done?”
Peeking over my shoulder, I see Bella step over the threshold of the Little house.I’d call it the Little house on the prairie, but I think there might be some sort of copyright issue.But, in all honesty, that’s what it is.
“With the house?”Okay.I know exactly what she’s referring to.My reaction this morning.
“Don’t be obtuse.”She places a small box on the floor next to me.I know it’s my tart because that box is one from her bakery, covered in yellow-and-white stripes.“Here’s your tart and something new I’m trying out.Need your feedback.”
I’m starving since I skipped breakfast and lunch.“Yay.”She knows I love to act as taste tester.Opening the box, I want to reach for the lemon blueberry tart first, but I see something covered in pecans.“What is this little lovely?”I coo at the golden-brown puff pastry.I place it close to my nose and sniff.
“It’s called a pecan crisp, but I’ll come up with a catchier name if you think it’s good enough.”
I place the flaky pastry to my lips; I open my mouth wide and bite.The first thing I notice is butter.Next the sugar, and cinnamon fills my taste buds.I’m hesitant to chew because as soon as I do, it’ll be gone.With a moan and a mouthful, I tell her the honest-to-goodness truth, “So fucking good.”
“Wow, it deserves the addition of ‘fucking’?”Bella laughs.“Maybe I’ll call them Fucking Good Pecan Crisps.”
“Perfect.”I take another bite and frown because I’ve only got one more morsel left in my hand.“You need to make them bigger.”Like three times bigger.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Finishing off the pecan delight, I face my friend.“Yes.In answer to your question, I’m over my snit.”
“Good.”
I should probably elaborate, but I don’t feel like it.
Sighing, she says, “Mom’s been feeling… off.”
“Off?”
“Forgetful.”
“Forgetful?”Sure.I know I’m repeating her words, but these are scary words.“Give me an example.”
“You know how she is… so on top of everything.”
“I do.”
“It’s been going on a while, supposedly.But remember when she lost her purse about a month ago?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, that wasn’t the first time she misplaced it.”Bella runs her hands over her face.“That thing is practically glued to her.”
“At all times.”Sheila Truman carries an extra-large purse.“Her entire life is in that bag.”
“It is.”
“When she lost the house keys, she said she started to think about other things she’s forgotten, like the name of her mail carrier.”
“Mikey?”I squeak.“He’s lived next door to her his whole life.”
Bella nods.“Long story short, we went in to have some tests run.”
“And?”
