Анна Керн - A Paw-sible Theory

Alyx laughed. “Yes, you’re right; the cats do have good taste, and yes, it is just a dinner and not a lifetime commitment. I’ll see you shortly.”

Maggie arrived and helped Alyx select a soft, flowered chiffon skirt, and a mauve, spaghetti strapped silk top, with a lacy, deep V-neckline. She wore no jewelry, but did wear sandals. Satisfied she didn’t look too dressed up, Alyx joined Ethan in the living room to wait for the rest of the guests.

Ethan didn’t bring a date. He told Alyx he wasn’t ready to bring anyone home to meet the family. He had finally called Lea and told her what was in his heart. As it turned out, she hadn’t lied to him after all. Her friend, Steve, had spent the night, but on the couch––he was just a friend as she had told Ethan. Ethan and Lea parted on a friendly note, recognizing they weren’t right for each other anymore.

“Thanks for the party, Mom.”

“I’m thankful we can do this. It could have just as easily gone the other way; I could be visiting you in jail or you could be visiting my grave.”

“I don’t ever want to go through that again if I can help it. The arrest alone was enough to traumatize me.”

“You haven’t told me what happened. Do you feel like talking about it?”

“I don’t mind talking about it. Two thoughts wiggled through my head when Smarts said I was under arrest. One consisted of what if they never find who did it? The other––I didn’t do anything. The latter made me mouthy, making me look even guiltier.

“My feelings were certainly not spared when we arrived at the police station. They roughed me out of the car, the handcuffs bruising the bones under my skin. Once inside, I was pressed against a cold wall with eight others. After standing in line for over three hours, I was finally called to the window, where there was the meanest woman I’ve ever had the misfortune of speaking to.

“Everything was taken out of my pockets and placed into a plastic container, sealed with its own special number, in case I ever got out to claim it. From there, they placed me in a holding cell for a good five hours before I was given any food, or allowed to make phone calls. From the conversations going on around me, it seemed everyone was eager to share their story of how and why they were there. It was like a social gathering of misfits, and I didn’t want any part of it. I patiently waited in the corner for one free phone call, thinking about whom to call. Maggie said she would have called a lawyer. I thought about calling Dad. In the end, I called no one.”

“We survived this, Ethan, and we’re the better for the experience.” She took his arm, “Come on. I’ll buy you a drink.”

Alyx looked over the table setting, making sure nothing was missing, lit the candles, and greeted everyone as they came in. The dinner––shrimp scampi and rice catered by Angelo’s on the River smelled delicious; the dessert, a bowl of fresh fruit and cannoli, not so much. She added croutons and cubed Feta cheese to the salad of mixed baby greens when her brother, Tom, arrived with his wife, Susan. Tom joined Ethan, who mixed him his drink of choice.

Maggie and George walked in with David Hunter. Alyx was talking to David when Bob arrived. Maggie, wearing a sleeveless, pale yellow, lightweight linen dress answered the door, looking uncomfortable in her role as greeter.

Alyx excused herself and went to her friend’s rescue.

“Hi, Bob; I’m glad you could make it,” and looking around him added, “Is Helen with you?”

“No, she couldn’t make it; she’s allergic to cats.”

Maggie appeared to stifle a laugh when Alyx glared at her. To everyone’s relief, Ethan approached his father and led him to where the bar was set up.

“Maggie, behave yourself. Give him a break,” Alyx pleaded, “Do it for Ethan’s sake.”

“Okay, you’re right; he has tried to redeem himself and who am I to hold a grudge if you and Ethan are willing to forgive him.”

Ethan asked everyone to take a seat around the table and Alyx raised her wine glass for a toast.

“Thank you all for coming to my celebration of all good things and for your help and support during a difficult period in my life and Ethan’s; I don’t know what I would have done without you.” She turned to Ethan, “Do you have anything you want to say?”

“What Mom said goes for me too. Thank you.”

My roommates and I strutted to the kitchen for the shrimp and rice that Alyx had spooned into our bowls before she sat down to dinner, and we had our own celebration.

THE END

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Anna Kern didn’t just have an imaginary friend––as a child, she had imaginary friends who stayed with her way past childhood. She made up stories in her head and dreamed of one day having a book published, but it wasn’t until later in life that she wrote her first novel.

She recently retired from a public school system in Florida and moved to St. John’s County to be closer to her son, James. She shares her condominium with her cats Pooky and Misty who keep her amused and amazed. Murfy lives with her son and visits often.

A Paw-sible Theory is her first cozy mystery.

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