Beverly Connor - One Grave Too Many

“Thanks for your help. Oh, Dr. Renner. I have a question. It’s related to something else. Is it very common for children to be vegetarians?”

“More common than I like to see. Growing children need a balanced diet, and you have to be a good vegetarian to be a successful one. It’s not a matter of eating only vegetables. Of course, some children are allergic to various foods and sometimes have to stay away from meats. True food allergies aren’t that common. What many people call allergies are really sensitivities. However, some children-and adults-are allergic to cow products, for instance. That includes beef.”

“Allergies.” She hadn’t thought of that. That could be another thing that might help identify the remains. Perhaps her bones had a food allergy.

“Thanks, Doctor. Please let me know when you’re coming to the museum and I’ll give you and your family a tour.”

“I’ll do that. Maybe we can see some of the areas where you put things together.”

“You would probably enjoy the conservation lab. I’ll be sure you get to see it.”

When he left, Diane got dressed, wishing again she had clean clothes. While she waited for the nurse with her discharge papers, she walked down the hall to Star’s room. She wasn’t the only visitor. Crystal was there with her husband, Gil.

“Guard,” Star yelled. “Get them out of here.”

But the guard was not on duty. Diane walked into the room. Crystal stood by Star with a sheaf of papers, trying to force a pen into Star’s hand.

“You’d better leave,” said Diane. “If you don’t, you’ll be in more trouble than you want.”

“Well, if it isn’t Frankie’s bone woman. Heard about you on television digging in ol’ Abercrombie’s carcass pile. Just what do you think you’re doing here?”

“Running you out of Star’s room.”

“This is my-granddaughter.” She almost choked on the word.

“She’s trying to get me to sign over Mom and Dad’s property,” said Star.

“I am not. This is just something to let me keep her money safe so the lawyers won’t get it all. I explained that to her.”

“Even if you could coerce her into signing, it wouldn’t be legal. She’s a minor.”

“Not no more. They’re going to try her as an adult.” Crystal nodded her head with emphasis.

“That’s not a shortcut to majority. You’re attempting to coerce a minor. Now get out of here before her guardian comes and throws you out.”

“I have more right to be here than you.”

“You have absolutely no right to be here at all.” Frank stood in the doorway glaring at the McFarlands.

As Crystal turned to Frank, Diane saw a phrase on one of the pages Crystal held. Diane snatched the papers from her hand without thinking.

“Why, you damn bitch! What do you think you’re doing? Give those back.”

Diane darted past her and made it to Frank, avoiding both Crystal and Gil grabbing at her. “This isn’t just to sign over property, this second page is a confession.”

Star screeched. “You fucking sorry bitch. Take your boy toy and get the hell out of here.”

The guard, an older heavyset man, rushed into the room. “What’s going on in here? Who are all you people?”

“These two slipped in here and were trying to force Miss Boone to sign a confession,” said Frank, showing the new guard his badge. “I’m Miss Boone’s guardian.”

“We’re just visiting our granddaughter.”

“She’s not my grandmother. She’s just an old whore who can’t get anybody to fuck her except some no-butt moron.”

“Star,” said Frank. “That’s enough.”

“It’s true. Look at him. He’s so skinny he looks like somebody sliced off his butt. He can’t even fill out a pair of tight jeans.”

“That’s enough,” Frank said again.

“You’re going to fry, little girl, you’re going to fry, fry, fry. . ” sang Gil McFarland, screwing up his face and bending his lanky frame in her direction.

“All right, you’re out of here.” Frank took Gil by the arm and propelled him out the door. “You too, Crystal.”

“You’ve not heard the last of this,” Crystal spat out, marching out of the room, joining her husband.

“We can hope,” Star yelled after her.

The guard stood for a moment as if waiting for someone to tell him what to do. “I just got here an hour ago,” he said. “They must have been watching for me to take a break.”

“I’m sure,” said Frank.

The guard took up his post at the door and Frank turned to Star. “What did I tell you about that mouth?”

“They started it. Crystal’s mouth’s worse than mine.”

“One of the nurses said something very wise to me about behaving according to your own principles and not someone else’s. Think about the kind of person you want to be when you open your mouth,” said Diane.

“You’re not my mother.”

“Star!” said Frank. “Diane’s gone to a lot of trouble on your behalf. You can treat her with some respect.”

The way Star sat back on her pillows, her lips in a pout, hair mussed, and tied to the bed, she looked like she should be expecting an exorcist to arrive any minute.

“Don’t you get it? Nothing’s going to do any good. Nothing. If I go to prison, at least I’ll have a place to live.”

“Star, you have a place to live.”

“Where? In that house by myself? I never want to set foot in it.”

“With me-and Kevin when he’s with me. You have a home. When this is over, you’re going back to school and graduate and you can decide if you’d like to go to college. I’m going to get your life back for you. I need your cooperation.”

Star stared at him for a long time. “You mean you’d let me live with you?”

“Of course. We’ve known each other for a long time. Your father was my best friend. You’re like my niece-my daughter. Now, can you calm down a little?”

“Did you see his face when I called him a no-butt moron?”

“Star.”

“Oka-ay.”

“How are you feeling?”

“I’d feel better if I weren’t tied to the bed. I’d like to get up and walk around. I get dizzy every time I get up.”

“I’ve talked to the detectives in charge, and they consider you a flight risk. I’m sorry. I know it’s not fair.”

“Did you tell them my arms are much too tired to attempt flight?”

“Didn’t think of that. Star, when you’re feeling better, I want to talk to you about getting counseling, and getting off drugs.”

“I don’t do drugs.” Frank looked at her. “I don’t. I smoke marijuana sometimes, that’s all.”

“Marijuana’s a drug.”

“No, it’s not, not like cocaine or ecstasy. It’s just a smoke. Did you know they used to call marijuana Mary Jane? I learned that in school.”

“It destroys your brain cells. Did they teach you that?”

“We’ll just have to agree to disagree.”

“We’ll just have to stop smoking.”

The nurse came in holding some papers. “They said you’d come down to visit Miss Boone,” she said to Diane. “I have your release papers. If you come with me, I’ll get a wheelchair and you can go home. Do you have someone to drive you?”

“I have my car here,” she said.

Both Frank and Star stared at Diane.

“What’s she talking about?” asked Frank.

“I stayed in the hospital last night. Someone mugged me outside my apartment. I’m fine, just a few bruises.”

“Why didn’t you call me? Are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m fine. I’m going home right now. I’ve got to call Jonas and tell him I’ll be late.”

“You’ll be staying home and resting,” said the nurse. “That’s what the doctor ordered.”