and all that.”
Renie picked up the phone, dialed zero, and asked to
be connected to security. She was informed that security was out. “He’s it?” she said after leaving her name
and room number.
“Probably not, at least not at night,” Judith replied.
Renie began hauling food out of the Falstaff ’s bag.
“Let’s eat something before the nurses come around
with all their paraphernalia. I don’t want them confiscating my stash.”
“I might nibble on an apple,” Judith said.
“Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Granny Smith,
Gala?” Renie offered.
“Red Delicious,” Judith said, gazing at the sack with its
Falstaff logo. “How much stuff have you got in there?”
“Plenty,” Renie replied, using her left hand to toss
Judith a shiny red apple. It was a surprisingly accurate
throw, considering that Renie was normally righthanded. “Hey,” she said with a grin, “maybe I could’ve
been a southpaw pitcher. Cheese? There’s Monterey
jack, Havarti, Brie, and a really nice Gouda.” She produced a small knife and held it up.
76
Mary Daheim
“The apple’s fine,” Judith said with a slight shake of
her head. “I don’t see how you got all that stuff in your
purse, big as it is.”
“That’s because I took everything else out and put it
in my overnight bag,” Renie said. “Food first; the rest
is a distant second.”
The phone rang. Judith thought it must be security,
calling Renie back. But Renie gave a brief shake of her
head. It wasn’t her phone. Judith wrestled with the receiver, and finally managed to say hello.
“Hi, Mom,” Mike said, sounding vaguely apprehensive. “How are you getting along? Joe told me the surgery went fine.”
“It did,” Judith replied with a big smile on her face.
“I’m getting along just great.”
“That’s a huge relief,” Mike said, and Judith knew he
meant it. Her son was a worrier. “Kristin and Mac and I’d
like to come into town tonight to see you, but it’s snowing like crazy up here at the pass. I think they’re going to
close the highway pretty soon. It’s a regular blizzard.”
In her mind’s eye, Judith could picture the U.S. Forest Service cabin that Mike and Kristin called home. It
was small but cozy, and with a magnificent view of the
surrounding mountains and forest. At least when they
could see through the snow.
“Don’t even think of coming down until I get home,”
Judith said. “I’m not going to be here forever.”
“I know, but I’d still like to pay a visit before the
weekend,” Mike said. “Didn’t they figure you’d be
home about Saturday?”
“They didn’t make any promises,” Judith said.
“How’s Kristin? What’s little Mac up to?”
“They’re fine,” Mike said. “Kristin still has the
