“Does Elvira have a type? I couldn’t even begin to figure out what it might be,” Carlita joked.
Tony and Shelby, along with their girls, left first. Mercedes headed home while Luigi and Dernice returned to his apartment to sort through the gifts they’d received, leaving Carlita and Pete alone.
She grasped her husband’s arm and strolled to Pete’s truck, parked in the lot at the end of the alley. “It was a nice party, except for the part where Sonny and Yvonne got sick.”
“But no one else got ill,” he pointed out.
“That we know of.” She crossed her fingers. “I’m praying he makes a complete recovery. Elvira has a valid point. I need to make an appearance, plus I would like to see for myself that Sonny is going to be okay.”
“What will you do with the leftovers?”
“I hate to have anyone eat them on the off chance something was bad. I guess I’ll have to toss the food in the trash.”
Back home, Carlita and Pete took Rambo for a long walk. Fall in South Georgia meant gorgeous sunny days with moderate temperatures…perfect for leisurely strolls along the river.
They passed by the Flying Gunner, Pete’s pirate ship, getting ready to set sail for the late afternoon cruise and pirate show.
“You mentioned your new tenant is moving in,” he prompted.
“On paper, Bubba appears to be the ideal tenant. His rent record is clean as a whistle not to mention I got a glowing recommendation from his former landlord. I still miss Sam.”
“Mercedes isn’t sad about Sam moving out?”
Carlita contemplated his question. “I think they drifted apart, and the inevitable happened. Mercedes seems content being single.”
“At least she has Autumn living across the hall to do things with.”
“She’s still young with plenty of time to figure out if she wants a man in her life. I would rather she be alone than be with the wrong person.”
Tink.Carlita’s cell phone chimed.
Elvira:Leaving now.
Carlita:I’ll meet you in the parking lot.
“Elvira is on her way.”
“Would you like me to go with you?”
“Nah. We won’t be long. We’ll probably only stay for half an hour or so.”
“And if Elvira decides to sit by his bed to nurse him back to health?”
“I can always hitch a ride on the trolley. There’s a pickup spot in front of the hospital.” Back home, Carlita ran inside to grab her purse and made it down to the parking lot only seconds before Elvira arrived. She swung the compact car around and tapped the horn.
Carlita eased the passenger side door open. “What was the horn for? I was standing right there.”
“In case you didn’t recognize my vehicle. I hardly ever drive this thing. The engine didn’t want to turn over. I think the battery is dying.”
“Thanks for the lift and for suggesting I go with you. I’m gonna ask Sonny what he ate right before he got sick.”
“Food poisoning sometimes takes a few hours to kick in.”
“True.” Carlita mentally calculated the time between when the food was served and Sonny started showing symptoms. “It might be tight, but it is possible he got sick from something he ate at the party.”
Less than ten minutes later, they arrived at the downtown hospital. The receptionist directed them to the bank of elevators after giving them Sonny’s room number.
Reaching the upper floor, the doors opened onto a bustling lobby. To the right was a nurse’s station.
