Getting Old Can Kill You by Rita Lakin Read Free Book Online Page A

well—a threefer .”
    That’s more like it. She can make this work. She’ll show Gladdy the real way to be a PI.
    Mike is already moving to the next room. “Ready to try on trench coats, ladies?”
    Bella and Sophie can hardly wait. Going shopping? He said the magic words.
    Ida wonders, Where are the other students?

E vvie and Joe are the life of the party. I watch with tears in my eyes as everyone in the rec room is toasting their upcoming trip up north. Some know the truth about Joe. Others might guess. But all are laughing and being positive about the future.
    Arlene clings to me like Saran Wrap. We stand off to one side. She visibly shakes each time the recreation room door opens.
    Jack has brought us cookies and lemonade, but he’s still keeping his distance. Arlene needs only me right now.
    The girls haven’t put in an appearance yet, but I’m sure they’ll be here. They never miss a Friday night party.
    Well, speak of the little devils. Here they come. What’s that expression? They look like the cat that swallowed the canary. Or should I say the cats . Very pleased with themselves, they are.
    Hy stands with a group of the men. Undoubtedly he’s telling one of his dirty jokes. I can tell by the leering looks on the guys’ faces. The joke must be over because raucous laughter follows. The wives know to stay away. The jokes are mostly antifemale. Tessie, whose husband, Sol, is one of Hy’s most loyal followers, has been threatening to smack him around one of these days. And with her weight and height advantage, she just might be able to do it.
    “Maybe she isn’t coming,” Arlene says hopefully. “I think I should go home.”
    “Give it a little more time, Arlene. You’re going to have to face her eventually. At least tonight you’re among friends.”
    Here come Sophie and Bella fairly bouncing along. Ida has found some of her mah-jongg pals and stopped to chat with them. I can bet she intends to keep away from us tonight. The twosome, however, come over to say hello.
    So I ask, “How was your PI class?”
    Sophie says, “Really great. Our teacher is one tough-looking hombre. He looks like Humphrey Bogart and we’re gonna learn a lot.”
    Bella giggles. “I already picked out a trench coat. Just like Sam Spade. Did you know those tough characters wore leather buckles on the sleeves?”
    What can I say? Their insensitivity to the matter of having dumped our own partnership defies logic. “Very nice. I’m glad you’re having a good time.”
    Suddenly Arlene touches my arm. “She’s here.”
    Coming through the doorway is tall, hunched-over Leah Andrews escorting her brother’s new tenant, whom she must have only met this morning. Leah always looks anxious, as if the world is out to get her, but tonight her face is more pinched than usual. She’s obviously not comfortable having to tell everyone Seymour’s away and here’s an unexpected stranger who’s taken over his condo. I’m sure the question everyone wants to ask is where on earth did Seymour go?
    Bella points to Joyce Steiner. “She’s here again?”
    Surprised, I ask, “Who are you looking at?”
    “The red-haired lady who came with Leah.”
    “Have you seen her before?”
    “Yeah, she was wandering around about a month ago.”
    Before I can query her further, Sophie pulls on her. “Come on, let’s move it. They just brought out more chocolate chip cookies.”
    Clueless about Arlene’s tension, off they go. Sophie waves and calls back at me, “We’ll keep you informed.”
    Arlene practically hides behind me, her head bent down. Leah is marching Joyce around to each group introducing her to the other neighbors.
    Evvie comes over to join me. I’ve already filled her in with what I know about the two women. She glances at the nervous Arlene, who looks very pale.
    Arlene speaks in a low, tight voice. “It’s her.”
    Evvie and I study the lady who gave Arlene so much pain. She and Arlene are the same age, but Joyce looks as