Nutty As a Fruitcake by Mary Daheim Read Free Book Online Page A

much disappointment when they aren’t met.” Joe shook his head sadly, then took another pull on his drink.
    â€œI know that,” Judith said, vaguely disturbed by the thought that Joe might be talking about himself. “I’ve heard Bill Jones say the same thing for years. But that’s not Mother. She’s a realist. And for all her faults, she’s got her spiritual side. This afternoon was different—as if she’d had a premonition. Mother was all shivery and squirmy. She even tried to forecast the weather.”
    â€œGreat,” Joe sighed. “The Lizard of Oz. Just what I need in a mother-in-law. Did one of your guests swipe the sports page?”
    Since Joe obviously wasn’t going to take Gertrude’s omens seriously, Judith dropped the subject. Carrying the appetizer tray into the living room, she set it on the gateleg table. Allof her preregistered guests had checked in for the night, but none had shown up yet for the hors d’oeuvres hour. It wasn’t quite six o’clock, and Judith hadn’t ladled out the punch. She was headed back to the kitchen when the front doorbell chimed. Since guests had their own keys, and family and friends usually came round to the back, Judith was faintly puzzled.
    Glenda Goodrich stood on the front porch, looking harassed. Judith tried to remember Glenda’s married name, recalled that she’d been divorced for several years, and simply greeted her guest with a friendly smile.
    â€œJudith,” Glenda said, nervously pushing damp tendrils of auburn hair off her high forehead, “I’m upset.” Not waiting to be asked, Glenda scurried into the entry hall.
    â€œWhat’s wrong?” Judith inquired.
    â€œIt’s Mama,” Glenda replied, her wide, pale face looking pinched. “Art came by earlier and said you planned to put up a billboard in Mama’s front yard. Naturally, she’s frantic. Has this something to do with your hotel advertising?”
    For reasons that eluded Judith, there were some people who didn’t understand the concept of a bed-and-breakfast establishment. Glenda Goodrich was one of them. Judith’s smile grew thin.
    â€œNo,” she answered, almost truthfully. “It’s not a billboard. It’s a joint project with the other neighbors. Everybody thought it was a wonderful idea—except your mother.” Judith’s smile disappeared completely.
    Remorse now mingled with the distress on Glenda’s face. She had never been pretty, Judith recalled, but in her younger years, Glenda had possessed a vivaciousness that had been very attractive. Middle age had done many things to Judith’s onetime playmate, adding extra pounds, etching deep lines, and, most of all, lending Glenda Goodrich a patina of despair.
    â€œPlease, Judith,” Glenda said in a tired voice, “I realize Mama can be stubborn. But isn’t this kind of sneaky? It seems to me that everybody in the cul-de-sac is going behind her back, forcing her to do something she doesn’t want to do. That isn’t fair to gang up on her when she’s old and ill.”
    â€œLook,” Judith said, trying to be patient, “my husband plans on coming over tonight to talk to your folks. He would have done that sooner, but he was working late Monday. This evening, he had to wire our New England village as soon as he got home from headquarters. The minute he has a chance Joe will explain everything to your mother and father.”
    The lines in Glenda’s forehead deepened. “Mama’s not going to like it. I wish you people wouldn’t ask special favors of her. It only upsets Mama, and then she…” On the verge of tears, Glenda chewed her lower lip.
    Judith could guess what Glenda was going to say. “She takes it out on everybody else, right? Especially you and Art.”
    Glenda’s pained expression contained a hint of gratitude for Judith’s