Page 77 of Gem Warfare

“Joe! The son is also called Joe!”

I doubted that very much. I wasn’t even sure if it was Gideon Black who had made the appearance. The purported Joe Junior could be any man. “Where can I find Bea?” I asked, deciding it was best to get the information from the source.

“At the Harmony Retirement Village, of course. She moved there when the house got to be too much for her. I hear they’re ready to wrap up the house sale. If you and John had thought ahead, you could have snapped it up.”

“We’re not in the market for a house. I thought you said she passed on.”

“No, I said herhusbandpassed on. I said Bea moved to a retirement village and I was going to ask what she wanted donewith the mail that hasn’t been forwarded. You really need to start taking notes. The adult ed center does secretarial courses although they call it executive assistant training but we all know it means taking notes and making coffee. I don’t think there’s a section on making coffee but I suppose all the young folk just order on an app and three minutes later, it’s at your door.” Mom paused, then added, “I might get one of those apps. Is that short for appetizer?”

“Bea?” I prompted.

“Yes, that’s her. Lovely lady. Always so friendly and the social life at the retirement village is very good. I might mention it to your father in case we become infirm, although I’m sure we could live with you. Your house is so big and it’s not like you have children in it. We could help with the childcare when you do. Your father can put shelves up in the nursery with his new drill.”

“We don’t have a nursery,” I said before I even started thinking about my parents moving in with me.

“Are you planning on one?” asked Mom.

“Only if a baby comes along,” I said, trying not to set myself up for a long line of questioning.

“You do know how babies are made, don’t you?”

“Yes, Mom,” I sighed.

“Good. I was afraid you’d been sick on the day they gave that talk at school.”

I’d figured all the juicy details out before school got around to making everyone squeamish but my mom didn’t need to know that.

Mom continued, “I don’t suppose youarepregnant, are you?”

“No.”

“But…”

“I’ll let you know.”

“And…”

“What else did Bea say?”

“Who?”

“Bea! From the house next to the Dugans.”

“She said she should have held out for more when she saw what the Dugans paid for their house. I told her if anyone knew about the body, they’d have gotten less and she said she was sure she didn’t have any…”

“No! About the….”

“Some Harmony residents still have their own cars but there’s a regular bus service if they can’t drive anymore, and there’re all kinds of activities at…”

“No, about Joe Smithson’s son,” I cut in. “Joe Junior.”

“Lovely young man. He bought her flowers and cookies and took such interest in her wellbeing. Wanted to know if she was getting by okay. If she’d invested the money from the house yet? He even said he’d take a look at her investments if she wasn’t sure about her pension income. What a thoughtful man. He said he was sure his father would have wanted her to have a few of his things but unfortunately, the landlady cleared the house out. I wonder if he’ll stay for the funeral? Do you think there will be a funeral?”

“Of course, once the body is released.”

“I hope he gets a nice spot.”

“It depends on if he’s claimed,” I said.

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