“I’m good,” Beth said, squeezing Elaine’s proffered hand. “Don confessed everything to Reverend Koterba. We met with him on Wednesday and the reverend believes what I believe—that that woman put a spell on Don. He said that demons come in many forms and that we should strengthen our marriage so we’ll be prepared to fight evil together. And Don agreed to go to the orphanage with me next week. If we can’t have children the natural way, we’re going to adopt. We also met with someone at the bank, and I’m finally going to start my baking business.”
Natalie and Elaine tripped over themselves to congratulate her.
“I have some news as well,” Natalie said. “The McCreedy house is under contract.”
A shadow passed over Beth’s face. “I’m happy for you, but I feel sorry for the new owners. Those vines will grow back. They’ll creep over that fence and bring her darkness into their lives. I hate living on the same street asher. I hate being here right now—being so close.”
Natalie felt hurt by Beth’s comments. Her friend had every reason to be mad at Mrs. Smith, but couldn’t she see how important the sale was for Natalie? Why was she trying to make her feel guilty for succeeding at her job?
“The McCreedys have lived behind her for years. Nothing happened to them,” she pointed out.
Beth rolled her eyes. “That couple is barely alive. What could she possibly take from them?”
Having no idea how to respond to this, Natalie walked over to the bar cart to make herself a second old fashioned.
Elaine pasted on a smile. “Maybe she’ll move. Now that she’s healed and can go anywhere, there’s no reason for her to stay here. This is a family neighborhood. She doesn’t fit in.”
Beth’s eyes narrowed. “Have you seen her since the cocktail party?”
“Only glimpses of her getting in and out of taxis. They show up first thing in the morning and bring her back late in the afternoon. One of the drivers almost hit the new mailman. I thought they might start a fistfight in front of my mailbox.”
“We have a new mailman? Since when? What happened to Paul?” asked Beth.
Elaine told Beth how Paul’s wife had found him at the bottom of the stairs. “Must’ve been a heart attack. Paul’s wife was out of town, and he was supposed to pick her up at LaGuardia on Sunday. He never showed up, so she had to take a taxi home. When she walked in, she saw him on the floor.He’d obviously been dead for hours. There was a crushed cookie in his hand, so at least his last meal was a good one.”
Beth had gone very pale. “How do you know all this?”
“Una told me. Paul and Kristofer were friends. They were supposed to grab a beer after work on Friday, but Paul said he wasn’t feeling well. If only he’d gone to the doctor then.”
Natalie thought Una had been unusually taciturn on Monday. Now she understood why.
Why did she tell Elaine about Paul but not me?
“Speaking of Una,” continued Elaine. “I have an awkward situation involving her and Charles’s party.”
Natalie groaned inwardly.Of course. Every conversation comes back to the party. What will Elaine do when it’s over? Start making plans for a high school graduation extravaganza?
“What’s the situation?” she asked with a notable lack of enthusiasm.
Perceiving the slight, the corners of Elaine’s mouth dipped down. “Charles wants to invite Una. He actually insisted, though I don’t understand why. I mean, she’s great, but she won’t really know anyone other than the three of us.”
“Maybe he’s just being polite. I doubt she’ll go even if you invite her.”
Elaine hurried to contradict Natalie. “I gave her an invitation earlier this week. She said yes on the spot. She’s coming by herself, too.”
Natalie thought it was sweet of Una to give up her Saturday night to hang out with a bunch of strangers for Charles’s sake. Like everyone else, she probably felt sorry for the boy. And Una was nothing if not kind. That’s why J.J., Jill, and Justin loved her so much.
Natalie was about to ask Beth what she planned to wear to the party when Beth suddenly doubled over as if she was going to be sick.
Elaine laid a hand on Beth’s back. “Honey. Are you okay?”
“Oh, Jesus,” Beth whimpered. “Oh, Lord.”
She’s going to puke all over my sofa, thought Natalie, casting around for an alternative.
Grabbing the ice bucket, she thrust it in between Beth’s knees. “Here.”
As Beth clutched the bucket, Natalie told her to take deep breaths. When it seemed like the immediate danger had passed, she plucked a starlight mint from the stash in Jimmy’s desk, unwrapped it, and dangled it under Beth’s nose.
