Chapter 16

“It’s beyond ghoulish that you would even show up here! So inappropriate! Like he wants to relive that again and again? Shoo!” Mom yells.

I come down the stairs. “Ladies, what was that about? Really, Mom? ‘Shoo’?”

At least half of Olivia’s white linen blouse is unbuttoned, its tail untucked into an ankle-length prairie dress. Despite a dozen people telling her, it will remain that way all day. One shoe is also untied. She looks to Mom, who answers.

“One of your neighbors with a nose problem. They saw the people and the commotion. It’s called a phone.”

“That’s not what it sounded like.”

As Potsy joins them, Mom wedges a white envelope into her purse and changes the subject. “Your Aunt Sarajane called. She isn’t coming but sent a planter. At least Hayley won’t have to go to the kennel.” To Potsy: “Hayley’s my little Ewok. She’s a Pomeranian.”