Page 7 of A Dark and Stormy Night

Frances was sitting there, nodding and texting.

Cornelia glanced at her tablet.

The conversation continued to flow.

Mrs. Branyon was one of the two meanest old biddies in Virtue Falls, and Cornelia wouldn’t be at all surprised to know Frances wanted to kill her. Cornelia wanted to kill her, and the only contact she ever had with her was to walk into Branyon’s Bakery with Mason to buy cinnamon rolls.

Yet for all that Mrs. Branyon’s voice squawked up and down like an old-time radio being tuned, killing her seemed a large step. Cornelia's observations of Frances suggested she was the polar opposite of her mother, a truly kind and patient person who faithfully cared for the cranky old woman.

But as Cornelia had previously noted, a person could lie with their voice and their expressions, yet sooner or later, in texts and e-emails, the truth came out. And there were two people involved in the texting: Frances …and her brother? Yes, those texts could be between brother and sister.

Frances looked up, caught Cornelia's gaze, and widened her eyes as if asking for sympathy.

Cornelia didn’t know how to respond.

“What are you looking at?” Mrs. Branyon shrieked. She turned and saw Cornelia. “Why are you looking at her? That girl is odd.”

In a mild, patient tone, Frances said, “Mother, she can hear you.”

“What?” Mrs. Branyon shouted.

“Put in your hearing aide,” Frances shouted back.

Offended, Mrs. Branyon said, “Don’t you talk to me that way, young lady.”

Frances sighed and started texting again.

“Why do you take me out to coffee when you never pay any attention to me?” Mrs. Branyon shrieked.

Frances tapped her ears.

“I’m too young to be wearing those things.” But Mrs. Branyon opened her purse, took out the hearing aids, and put them in.

Rainbow walked past. “That’ll lower the noise level,” she muttered to Cornelia.

Cornelia stared at Rainbow. Was Rainbow trying to make conversation? WithCornelia? Ever since Cornelia could remember, Rainbow had been in Virtue Falls working at the Oceanview Café as a waitress. The waitress, actually. Rainbow was big-boned and tall, with broad shoulders and salt-and-pepper gray hair. She was hearty, cheerful, and she chatted up her customers, tourist or local. She asked questions and gave unwanted advice. People liked her anyway.

And Mrs. Branyon called Cornelia odd.

Cornelia looked back at the texting.

At least she goes to bed early.

Cornelia took a sip of milk.

Yes, but I’m tired of meeting you like we're two furtive lovers. That was fun for awhile, but I want to live together in public!

Cornelia choked and coughed.

Rainbow came by and slapped her on the back. “Are you okay, hon?”

Cornelia nodded.

So not Frances and her brother. At least Cornelia hoped not.

Rainbow placed a glass of water on the table.

Cornelia drank the water, dabbed at her damp eyes, and read.

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