Deadly Diamond

“Most beds sleep up to six cats. Ten cats without the owner.”

––Stephen Baker

CHAPTER SEVEN: A Pioneer Christmas

Alyx found the perfect lamp she’d been looking for on-line, completed the transaction and logged off when a car came up the drive. Before she could get to the door, she heard Ethan’s familiar greeting, “Hi, Mom; it’s me––your one and only son.”

“Hi, honey. I’m in the office.”

Misty pawed Ethan’s pockets for the expected treat he always brought whenever he visited, and we weren’t disappointed with the tasty morsels he produced. About six feet tall, with blue eyes, short black hair and a thin-line beard, Ethan, considered handsome by human female standards, gave his mother a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek.

“I’ve missed you… been busy?” she asked casually.

“Sorry I haven’t been over, Mom. Nikki and I went to South Beach for a couple of days.”

“You could have told me that when I called you instead of letting me wonder what was going on.”

“Yeah, I know. You always worry when I tell you I’m going out of town, and I didn’t want you to worry. Besides, I’m twenty-three,” he said, putting his arm around her shoulders, “I shouldn’t have to tell my mother everything I do.”

Having had only each other since her divorce years earlier, the mother-child bond was strong––except Ethan was no longer a child. Occasionally, Alyx had trouble remembering that, this time she did remember and wisely said no more on the subject other than, “I’m glad you’re back safe and sound.”

She served the cherry pie she’d picked up from the bakery, at the kitchen table where a bank of windows framed a perfect Southern picture––a huge magnolia tree with a white wrought iron bench sitting under its shady canopy. Alyx had designed the kitchen around the enamel-topped, 1940’s table and chairs that had been in her parent’s basement and that still held pleasant memories of the many family gatherings that had taken place while her parents were still living.

She told Ethan about Althea. “It was only yesterday that she was making plans for her future, for starting a new life.”

He asked if she knew the actual cause of death.

“No, I don’t. The fact is, I may never know.”

She mentioned Simon, the missing cat. “I know Althea would want me to make sure he has a home. But I don’t want another cat.” She gave him one of her special smiles, “How would you like to have a sleek, handsome Siamese cat?”

I liked the idea and tapped my tail. Misty saw my reaction and turned her back to me in obvious disapproval.

“Maybe, if he’s anything like Murfy.”

“I’ll let you know if he turns up.”

“Mom, I’m not promising. …”

“I know,” she said as she cleared the table. “So do you have plans for this week-end?”

“Yes. Nikki read in the paper that the old pioneer settlement is hosting its annual A Florida Christmas. Neither one of us has been there since we were in high school.”

“What did the article say about the event?”

“She said the historic buildings in the settlement are decked with old-fashioned pioneer ornaments. There’s music, including concerts in the 1890 church and visitors can join carolers as they stroll around the grounds.”

“That place is like a tiny rural village, isn’t it? I think the oldest building is the 1875 log cabin. My favorite is the kitchen in the old schoolhouse. I love the high ceiling with tall windows all along the wall looking out to the herb garden, not to mention the fresh-baked goods they offer.”

“My favorite was the blacksmith shop. I think I was intrigued by the red hot iron being pounded into something.”

“Well, it sounds like fun. All you need is some cool weather to make it perfect.”

“Yeah, that’s what Nikki said. Did they have sour orangeade the last time you went?”

“No, and it doesn’t sound like something I would want either,” she said, puckering her lips. “What is it?”

Ethan laughed. “Nikki said it’s an old Florida pioneer treat made from the juice of sour oranges.”

“Well, that’s a new one on me. I’ve never heard of sour orange trees, unless they mean from un-ripened oranges. Let me know what it tastes like.”

“I’ll do better than that. I’ll bring you some.