The Obituary Society by Jessica L. Randall Read Free Book Online

events, and much-needed materials, such as new hymn books and bibles.  Let's get started.”
    Pastor Lucas handed Eddie the first item.  “To kick things off we have a lovely cross-stitch for the kitchen.  It says 'kissin' don't last, cookin' do'.”  Eddie gave Betsy a sly smile.  “'Course I take whatever I can get.  Do we have five dollars to start the bidding?  Five dollars right there.”  Eddie continued, his words running smoothly like a new John Deere.  “How about ten dollars?  Ten dollars for this one-of-a-kind item, from Mrs. Erikson's heart to your kitchen.  Ten dollars right there.  Do we have fifteen?  Fifteen dollars.  How about twenty?  Twenty?  Going once, going twice, sold, to Diane Swanson for fifteen dollars.”
    Lila was amused at how quickly Eddie moved through the items.  Ada and Gladys had a bit of a scuffle over a birdhouse, hand crafted by Elmer Greene.  Ada was not to be outdone, and by the time it was over she'd bid sixty dollars for the birdhouse. 
    It turned out Mr. Greene was the Saturday handyman.  Lila figured if she was going to bid on something, it may as well be something she really needed.  Besides, the purple hat went to a man named Joe Rigby, whose wife asked him to pick out something nice for her.  Lila wished him the best.
    “Do I hear sixty dollars for the Saturday handyman?  He'll come to your home on a Saturday of your choosing to work on those home projects your husband's been avoiding.  Sixty dollars right there.  How about seventy dollars?  Seventy.  Do we have eighty?  Right there.  How about ninety?” 
    Lila raised her paddle.  “One hundred twenty.”
    “One hundred twenty dollars.  Hundred thirty?  Going once, going twice, sold, to Ada Foster's sweet niece for one hundred twenty dollars.  From what I hear, you're going to need this.  I hope Elmer's a good painter.”  He chuckled and handed her the piece of paper with Elmer Greene's number.  Ada smiled at her, eyes sparkling, and gave her a thumbs up.
    Eddie was about half-way through the donations when Lila caught the door open out of the corner of her eye.  She straightened to get a look at the guy who walked toward one of the tables lugging a computer.  She couldn't see his face, but it looked like he was young.  She couldn't help but notice the way the load he carried showed off the muscles in his arms. 
    When he looked up, her eyes darted away.  She'd recognized the dark glasses and the 'haven't-shaved-or-really-brushed-my-hair-today' look.  Lila snorted.  When Gladys turned to look at her, she quickly erased the scowl and feigned a cough.
    “ What do we have here?”  Eddie asked.
    “ Looks like Max Ellison. I'll pay twenty dollars.”
    Lila leaned forward.  Susan Walters stared at Max, her red lips turned up.
    Max's eyes were wide.  He set down the computer and smoothed his plaid shirt with his hands.  “Sorry to interrupt.  I finally finished this computer.  It's completely refurbished.  I'll just get out of your way now.”             
    A voice in the back of the room said, “I'll pay forty.”
    Pastor Lucas fidgeted in his chair, his eyes bulging.  Max's face reddened.  He laughed and crossed behind Eddie.  But Eddie put a hand on Max's chest, stopping him.   
    A smile spread across Eddie's face.  “We're always up for creative new contributions.  We don't want to hurt old Max's feelings, though.  An evening out with a healthy young man is worth a lot more than forty dollars.”  Max stiffened, his eyes stuck on the exit.  Pastor Lucas stood up, his tense hands suspended in mid-air, his mouth hanging open.
    “Do we have fifty?  Fifty right there.  How about sixty?  Sixty dollars.  We can do better than that.”
    Oh, he's got to love this , Lila thought, glaring as the spectacle continued.  Max did look uncomfortable, though.  Maybe he was too good for the prospective bidders. 
    Gladys elbowed Lila, but Lila looked straight