A shaft of sunlight rested on the tender green leaves. That’s what encouraged the tree to bloom too early. It happened frequently to Charlotte’s ornamental pear and cherry tree population. Too much warm weather too early. The trees bloomed, gorgeous white and pink blossoms against the clear blue sky, then another shot of cold weather withered everything to brown. By the time real spring showed up, the trees had only green leaves to brag about.
The dogwood flowers meant
It was easy to lose herself in thoughts of her favorite things. But she still had to go inside. Peggy shook herself out of her cold misery and pushed her feet toward the front door. She was devastated by Park’s death. But for Beth, it was the end of the life they’d had together. How well she remembered. The loss of dreams and hopes for the future was as awful as not having John beside her in bed every night. She had to be strong for Park’s widow.
Peggy knew when she saw Beth’s pale, tearstained face the police had done their job. She was relieved but felt guilty at her own cowardice.
Beth made a mewling noise in the back of her throat, then launched herself into Peggy’s arms. “I can’t believe he’s dead,” she sobbed. “I can’t believe he’s gone.”
“Let’s get inside,” Peggy urged her out of the chilly breeze. “I think we’ll need some tea.”
Beth was pliable, unable to really take in what happened. Fortunately, her two sons, six-year-old Reddman and eight-year-old Foxx, were still at school. “Should I bring them home? I don’t know what to do.”
Peggy took the cheerful orange kettle off the stove and poured steaming water into two mugs. Immediately the scent of last year’s lemon balm mixed with chamomile. She’d sent over a plentiful supply last fall. It was an abundant year for the herbs in her backyard. She knew Park and Beth both loved it. “The boys are fine for now. Take a moment for yourself. Once they get home, there’ll be no end to everything. Drink this. It will help.”
Beth slumped at the polished wood table. She sipped at the tea and raised empty eyes to her friend. “The sergeant from the Highway Patrol said you were there. He said you stayed with Park as long as you could.”
Peggy wrapped her hands around the hot mug for warmth. “I was. I saw what happened. I was on my way south, just before the ramp.”
“Tell me.” Beth didn’t look at her, focusing on the steam coming from the tea. “Tell me what happened.”
“I’m sure the sergeant already told you.” Peggy tried to convince her not to hear it again, even though she knew she’d wanted to hear what happened to John more than once. It seemed to make it more real.
“He did. I want to hear it from
Peggy took a deep breath and told her everything she knew about the accident. “I was there with him when he died.”
“Good.” Beth’s sable brown head nodded. “At least he wasn’t alone or with some stranger, wondering what happened.”
The silence between their words was as thick as the smell of the herbs. A grandfather clock in the hallway chimed the hour. One o’clock.
“Did he say anything?” Beth’s brittle voice asked out of the blanket of silence that enclosed them.
“Yes. He asked me to tell you he loved you and the boys.”
“That was Park. Always thinking of us first.”
“You were everything to him, especially after that first disaster.” Peggy shuddered, thinking about Park’s first attempt at marriage. It only lasted two years, but he put himself through hell with that woman. People said Beth was too young for him when they married. She was fresh out of college, and he was forty-two. But it worked for them.
“The police said he went off the overpass,” Beth said carefully. “Was it icy up there? He was always such a good driver.”
Peggy put her hand over Beth’s. “He told me he thought he fell asleep. He said he woke up as the car hit the ground. He said he’d been ill. Did you know about that?”
“That’s hard to believe, isn’t it? Park is always so alert. I’ve never known him to fall asleep in the car. Most of the time, it’s all I can do to persuade him he needs sleep at all. You know how he is. That’s one of the things I love about him.” Beth corrected herself in a flat voice. “Loved about him.”
“I know. I thought it was odd, too. But when I saw him in Philadelphia, he said he wasn’t sleeping well, and he looked ill.” Peggy squeezed Beth’s hand. “Do you think something was wrong? Could he have been sick and didn’t want to worry you? He said you made him go to the doctor for a checkup.”
Beth smiled slowly. “He’s kind of a baby when it comes to being sick. I’m always glad it doesn’t happen often. Even a cold might be pneumonia to him. It’s hard to imagine he could hide a serious illness. Besides, I saw the doctor’s report. He was healthy.”
“Did you notice him being more tired than usual after he came home?”
“No, not really. But he only got home late last night. Do you think something was wrong with him?”
Before Peggy could answer, the doorbell rang. Tears slipped down Beth’s cheeks as she took out a lacy handkerchief. “I hate to ask, but I don’t want to see anyone else right now. Could you get it?”
Peggy stood up and hugged her. “Not a problem. Shall I send whoever it is away? Have you called Isabelle or your family?”
“Not yet. Although I hope the police called Isabelle. I don’t want to talk to Park’s mother right now.” Beth wiped the tears from her face. “But you know
“Okay. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll take care of it.” Peggy smiled at her, then went to look out through the leaded glass embedded in the heavy front door. A large black man with a shaved head stood on the front step. She opened the door. “Al! I’m surprised to see you here!”
“Peggy.” He nodded solemnly. “I heard you were there when Mr. Lamonte died this morning. I’m sorry for your loss. Is his wife at home?”
“Beth’s here, But she’s not in any kind of shape for visitors.”
“I’m here in my official capacity.” He took out his badge through force of habit. “There seems to be some question about Mr. Lamonte committing suicide on that ramp this morning. I need to speak with his wife.”
4
Aspidistra
Botanical:
Family: Lilaceae
Common name: Iron plant
“MY HUSBAND WOULD NEVER commit suicide.” Beth’s passionate condemnation of Al’s suggestion left the police detective with an understanding and patient expression on his dark face.
Peggy sat in the caramel and cream colored living room at the front of the house with them. She offered to wait in the kitchen for them, but Beth wanted her to stay. After hearing Al’s startling revelation, she was glad she obeyed her impulse to come to the house. It was ridiculous to know Park and imagine him committing suicide. She felt as strongly about it as Beth did.
“No one ever expects a loved one to take his or her own life,” Al explained. He took out a small notebook from the inside pocket of his heavy coat. “Your husband suffered some severe stock losses the last few years. Maybe that had something to do with his decision. Sometimes men get too worried about taking care of their
