Danger Comes Home (Kelly O'Connell Mystery) by Judy Alter Read Free Book Online Page B

where Mom demanded, “Who is that woman Otto is talking to?”
    “Mom, are you jealous? She’s the mother of one of Maggie’s classmates, a girl who needs some joy in her life, and Maggie has reached out to her. The mom’s married, and you don’t have to worry about her as a rival.”
    “Kelly, that’s not at all what I was thinking. I just wondered who she was. I’ll wander over and say hello too.”
    Admit it, Mom. You don’t want to share Otto. So far, I wasn’t doing well with my promised prying into Mona’s life. Too many other people talking to her.
    The men and boys were still outside playing ball, talking, and watching while Mike cooked. Every once in a while one stuck his head in the door for another beer or soft drink (depending on age) but not Joe. Once, Emil came in with an empty Coors bottle and said Joe asked him to bring a refill. Joe really was trying to avoid Theresa—and maybe the rest of us.
    Keisha hadn’t arrived, and she rarely liked to miss a minute of a party. She finally breezed in, trailed by José who carried the grits. Keisha stopped in front of Mona, stuck out her hand, and said “I’m Keisha. I keep all these people in line—when I can.” She was wearing a turquoise muumuu this time, with turquoise sandals with her trademark spiked heels, lots of turquoise at her neck, on her wrists, in her ears. Luckily, she had not tinted her hair turquoise—tonight the spikes were blonde.
    Mona stared as though she were seeing someone from another planet. Finally, she managed to hold out her hand and mutter, “I’m Mona Wilson.”
    Keisha smiled benevolently. “I know that darlin’. You’re the mother of that sweet Jenny. I got to meet her the other day, and she is a love. You take good care of her now, you hear?” and she sailed off to follow José who had put the grits in the oven, grabbed a beer, and headed outside. Keisha poured herself wine and went outside.
    Wishing Otto would join the men, I went over the couch where Mom and Otto had Mona cornered. “Okay, you two, skat. I want to visit with our new guest.”
    Mom looked startled, but Otto seemed to understand. “Of course, Miss Kelly. You sit right here. I’m going over to that comfortable chair and put my feet up. Miss Cynthia, would you get me another dark beer?”
    She hopped up. “Of course, Otto,” and she headed for the ice chest on the back porch.
    Bless Otto! I liked him more and more as time went by, and I seriously doubted either of them could convince me the relationship was not serious. I didn’t think Mom would ever marry again, but she loved having a man to take care—and Otto loved being taken care of.
    I sat beside Mona. “This bunch can be pretty overwhelming. I understand that. But they’re all good people. Are you sure I can’t get you a glass of wine? I have chardonnay, pinot grigio, and I think Mike opened a cabernet.”
    She looked wistful. “A glass of cabernet would be lovely. Can’t I get it?”
    “Not at all. I’ll be right back.” Good move, Kelly. Use wine to loosen her tongue. I was back in no time with a generous pour of cabernet, which she sipped and then closed her eyes in enjoyment. She knew how to savor wine, because she’d smelled it first, then for a fraction of a second swirled it in her mouth. Not many people have that sophisticated approach to wine. I thought there was probably little enjoyment in her life and she deserved a moment to savor the wine, so I was silent for a moment.
    Stop it, Kelly. You’re stereotyping the woman when you know nothing about her. Well, almost nothing. Mostly what Jenny said, which suggests she’s a passive doormat for an abusive husband. And the fact that you’ve decided she’s educated and has some training in manners, culture, whatever you want to call it.
    I jumped in. “We’re sorry your husband couldn’t be with us tonight. He might have enjoyed that ball game in the back yard.”
    She shook her head. “Todd’s not much on sports