Ding Dong Dead

56

The lights went on to the thunder of applause. The cast took one bow, then another. Bonnie had pulled off her part without a hitch. Nina, after minor complaints, had stepped into Julie’s role and had done an amazing job. Jerome, having served ten days in jail, performed magic with the lights.

Mr. B. sat at the back of the room, clapping right along with the rest of them, his unlit pipe tucked between his teeth.

What a huge success the luncheon was. Enough money had rolled in to open the museum and keep it operational for several months. They would easily fulfill the terms of the contract.

One generous benefactor had pledged even more.

The six-foot Barbie looked stunning in the full-length pink gown April created for her. “No cheerleading outfit for Barbie,” April said with pride. “This is a formal affair.”

Daisy came in after the luncheon guests were gone. She wore her purple and red outfit, and her arms were filled with packages. Gretchen gave her a big one-armed hug, still favoring her left shoulder.

“The big day is right around the corner,” Gretchen said. “Are you ready?”

“I bought my wedding dress,” she said, putting down several enormous shopping bags. “I’ll show it to you later.”

Gretchen glanced at the bags and was surprised to see that they were from expensive stores. What was going on?

“I have a little money of my own,” Daisy said. “I don’t usually need it.”

“A little? Don’t need it?”

“Most of it’s in trust.”

“In trust?” Gretchen sounded like a parrot, repeating everything her friend said.

“I heard about Rachel and what she tried to do to you,” Daisy said. “I feel sorry for the way it ended up. I have some issues of my own, but I’m going to work on them.”

Gretchen smiled at her homeless friend. “I think you’re wonderful just the way you are.”

“I’m sorry that the present I gave you caused so many problems.”

“A gift? What?” What had Daisy given her? Love. Loyalty. Friendship. All of those things.

“The museum,” Daisy said.

“What about it?”

“I own the house. Well, not really. It will always be part of the family trust, but I get to decide what to do with it. Richard doesn’t want to get involved, so we can continue restoring it for a museum.”

Gretchen was trying to comprehend. Daisy was their museum benefactor?

“You’re Trudy Fernwich? You’re the beneficiary?”

Daisy winked. “It’s our secret,” she said.

“I don’t know what to say. I’m speechless.”

“Say you’ll accept the position of museum curator.”

Gretchen sat down at one of the luncheon tables. Fell down, was more like it. The chair saved her from hitting the floor. This couldn’t be true. Daisy didn’t have twenty dollars to her name.

“What about the repair business?” she stammered. “Mom can’t handle it alone.”

“She already found a new helper.” Daisy adjusted her red hat. “Me. It will be my first paid job. She said you would teach me. Well? What do you say?”

“Why don’t you want to run the museum?”

“Me? No. Can you see me meeting with those wealthy people who were here for the luncheon? I don’t think so. Besides, it’s haunted.”

Gretchen’s mind was fast at work. She’d bring in traveling doll collections and give presentations. The world of dolls was an endless parade of fashion and history. The traveling doll trunk was in the museum where it belonged. She’d made sure of that. What else would she discover in the storage boxes?

On the sidewalk outside, she saw Matt coming toward her. He hadn’t been ready to face a stage full of dolls. They had plenty of time later to overcome his phobia.

Tonight was the night. She was sure of it. The mating dance was about to end.

Then he stopped. Put his cell phone to his ear. Glanced at her. Apologetic eyes.

Gretchen sighed. She’d lost him again.

Nina traipsed past on her way to her Impala. Stopped. Held up a deck of cards between long tapered nails. “Come with me,” she said. “The cards don’t lie. You suffered pain, did you not? Come. You need a new reading. Where will the future take you next?”

Everything was back to normal.

Whatever that was.