plus our expenses. And the insurance money for the
fire—I’m wondering if we shouldn’t keep the B&B
closed for a while. Business gets increasingly slow this
time of year. We could make some renovations I’ve
been thinking about.”
“You decide,” Joe said.
“We might even enlarge the toolshed for Mother
now that she’s gotten used to being out of it for a few
days while the major work is being done to the house.”
“I still say all the noise of the construction wouldn’t
have bothered her,” Joe asserted. “She’s deaf, she’s
daffy.”
“She’s also selling her life story to the movies,” Judith pointed out. “At least she hopes so.”
Joe merely shook his head. He didn’t notice that his
wife was staring at him.
“I’m not so hungry anymore,” Judith said softly. She
put the tray aside. “At least not for breakfast.”
“What?” Joe looked up from his marmaladecovered toast. He grinned. “Well, now. Maybe I’m not
either. But do you really want to let things cool off?”
“That depends on what you’re talking about,” Judith
replied.
Joe set his tray down on a French marquetry table
and moved toward her. “You’re right. Seize the moment.” Instead, he climbed onto the king-size bed and
seized his wife around the waist.
“Oh, Joe.” Judith sighed, her lips against his cheek.
“This is perfect!”
A knock sounded at the door.
“Damn!” Judith breathed. “Shall I get it?”
Joe buried his face in the bare curve of her shoulder.
“No,” he said, his voice muffled.
The knock sounded again, louder, more insistent.
“We’d better answer that,” Judith said through
clenched teeth. “Whoever it is will go away fast
enough.” Pulling her terrycloth robe closed, she
slipped off the bed and went to the door.
Gertrude stood in the hallway. “Where’s my breakfast?”
Judith gaped at her mother. “Didn’t you order from
room service?”
“Of course not,” Gertrude shot back. “You know
how I hate to use the phone.” She and her walker
clumped past Judith and into the room. “Lunkhead
here can order for me. And what’s this leaving a newspaper outside my door? I’m not paying for it. I get my
news on TV. Why are people always giving me things
to read that I don’t want? Even that nice Dade Whoozits brought me some goofy script when he was here, all
about the Mormons. Now why would I want to read
such a thing? I’m not a Mormon. I’m a Catholic and a
Democrat. I just put that script in the barbecue and set
