Getting Old Is Criminal Part 36

"Yes, Sol," Sophie adds. "He was peeping at one of the Canadians and they caught him and, boy, was he scared."

Ida says, looking righteous, "They were ready to string him up."

Evvie works hard at showing interest. "Sol, of all people."

I add, "He said he needed s.e.x."

"And, yeah, is he gonna get a lot." Bella is laughing aloud. "Tessie saved him from being arrested. But only if he promised to marry her."

"You got back just in time. The wedding's next week."

"Sol and Tessie. Oh, my, what a combination." Evvie actually giggles. "That scheming woman- she's been after him all along."

Bella continues. "And you know what else- Sophie got high and she practically tore her whole apartment to pieces."

"I wasn't used to pot. But it was fun."

Evvie is really surprised now. "Pot? You smoked pot?"

Bella giggles. "You should have seen her in her underwear jumping up and down on her bed singing stupid songs."

Sophie and Bella break out into: " 'Oh, I danced with a dolly with a hole in her stockin' . . .' "

Ida adds, "And you should have seen the eating spree she went on."

Sophie giggles. "I must have gained ten pounds that night."

"How did that come about? Where would you get drugs? And why?" Evvie asks.

"From Dr. Friendly, who is no longer my doctor."

"Wow, that is is news." news."

Sophie's face reveals her sadness. "He almost killed Millie with some drug he gave her. It was all my fault, because I recommended him."

"Now, now," I say. "We've been through this. You mustn't blame yourself." The girls agree.

"Is Millie all right?"

Ida answers. "She's still in the hospital. But she won't be coming home. Irving is looking for an Alzheimer's facility for her."

We're quiet for a few moments, thinking of our dear friend.

Evvie gets up. "Thanks so much for the lunch and the update. But I think I need more sleep now."

She walks out and we all look at one another worriedly. That's not Evvie. Not the Evvie we used to know.

I promise I'll help you, Ev. Someday you'll be all right again. I swear it.

The girls reach across the table and we all touch hands.

We'll all help.

FIFTY-FOUR.

WEDDING BELLS.

The wedding is a hoot. Phase Two is the official caterer for the marriage of Sol Spankowitz and Tessie Hoffman, but since all the Phases were invited, and it is an insult not to contribute food, there is enough chow to feed all of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Needless to say that makes Tessie very happy. Food and a husband-what more could she ask?

Not that Sol seems too happy. Since his engagement, he's been in a state of befuddlement. And today is no different. Irving helped him dress, so that his clothes would match. But Irving keeps shaking his head at the fate of his racetrack buddy. So far, Irving seems to be holding up, at least. He goes to the hospital every day to sit with Millie. It's when the realization hits that he can't take her home again-that's going to be a difficult time. Thank goodness for Yolie. And Mary, too. He'd be lost without them.

Dozens of chairs have been rented for the occasion. There is the chupeh, chupeh, the traditional canopy under which the bride and groom stand during the ceremony. The rabbi is there waiting, chatting with members of his congregation. the traditional canopy under which the bride and groom stand during the ceremony. The rabbi is there waiting, chatting with members of his congregation.

So many people are here, all of them dressed in their finery, any excuse to get fahputzed, fahputzed, as Sophie would say. I can hardly count them as they are wandering and drinking and dancing all over the lawns of Phase Two. In fact, I can see Casey and Barbi, dressed in their unique way, doing a wild cha-cha together. At weddings it is not unusual for women to dance together, so their secret will still be safe for as long as they want to keep it. as Sophie would say. I can hardly count them as they are wandering and drinking and dancing all over the lawns of Phase Two. In fact, I can see Casey and Barbi, dressed in their unique way, doing a wild cha-cha together. At weddings it is not unusual for women to dance together, so their secret will still be safe for as long as they want to keep it.

They congratulated me earlier, and I thanked them again for their help. It was their information that broke the case.

Morrie and Oz are here, too. Women flock around them eagerly. I caught Sol looking at them almost wistfully. I bet he was thinking jail would be preferable.

Conchetta comes over to me. "I heard the news. My G.o.d, that was a close call." She looks toward Evvie. "Is she all right?"

I shrug. "Hopefully, in time."

Mother Nature is kind and the weather is balmy. Everybody loves a wedding and it's been a long time since we had one, so everyone is in a festive mood.

Yolie and Denny are maid of honor and best man. Denny has given her a sweet little ring. Maybe more wedding bells are about to ring. They also got to pick the music, so it's Latin salsa, blaring out over the happy conversation.

Evvie is putting a good face on it, but I know her heart is breaking. Ida is at her side to comfort her. Sophie and Bella still don't understand about Philip and Ray, but that's all right. Sophie comments, as she is wiggling in place to the music, "We got two killers for the price of one." So she's satisfied.

The announcement is made. The SpankowitzHoffman nuptials are about to begin, so we all start to gather on the big lawn.

I find my seat and wait for my girls to join me. Someone sits down next to me. "It's about time," I say, "they're starting." I look to my left and there's Jack. I actually gasp.

"I hope you don't mind. My sitting here." He smiles gently at me.

I wait for my throat to open so I can speak. "No, that's fine."

The girls don't show up. I a.s.sume they saw Jack and sat elsewhere so we could be alone.

Jack reaches over and holds my hand. We don't speak. I can't take my eyes off him, but he continues to watch the ceremony. I notice Evvie looking at us from across the crowd. She smiles bravely.

The ceremony is fun. Tessie is in high spirits. Sol can barely stand up, but not to worry-Tessie has a firm grip on him.

Afterward the happy bride throws the bouquet. Many eager hands are held high. Ironically, it lands in Evvie's crossed arms. She drops it as if it were the proverbial hot potato. Eighty-one-yearold Dora Dooley grabs it from the gra.s.s where it fell and cackles happily.

Evvie looks at me and I look at her. So many thoughts pa.s.s between us.

I look around for Jack, but he's disappeared as suddenly as he arrived.

I see Morrie walking over to me. Before I can say anything, he hands me an envelope. He shakes his head and walks away.

I open it and read the note inside. "Gladdy, I'm sorry. I have to leave. I don't know how long I'll be gone. Jack."

I don't know how to feel about this, so I hand the note to Evvie to read. Her voice rings with poignancy. "It's just you and me again, kid." She puts her arms around me and hugs me.

Who said getting old is criminal?

Sometimes it is sweet and lovely and many times filled with pain-but always full of surprises.

Acknowledgments.

As always, Howard, Leslie, Gavin, and James.

Caitlin Alexander, every single time. Lucky me.

Sharon Propson, PR maven.

My agent, Nancy Yost. Welcome to the club.

The amazing Margaret Sampson and the wild and wooly Women Who Walk on Water Book Club in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They better watch out or the next series might be about them.

Lynn Vannucci and Ginger Liebovitz, my loyal friends and first readers.

The always wonderfully helpful, talented "kitchen klatch" mystery writers group for whom I travel (and never stop kvetching about) the dreaded 580. Camille Minichino, Margaret Lucke, and Jonnie Jacobs.

My sister, Judy, and adopted sister, Rose; my biggest fans.

Thanks to Guiamar Sandler Hiegert for Pago Pago and for my north coast "bookstore" at the Lost Whale Inn in Trinidad, California.

Dr. D. P. Lyle, physician to the authors. Thanks for your help.

And last but definitely not least. Thanks to Cheryl Jones, owner and "chef extraordinaire" of The Pleasure is Mine restaurant at Harbor Point. Most of the last half of this book was written in the San Rafael restaurant, with Cheryl keeping me strong by feeding me her wonderful food.

And to my faithful friends, my East Coast family and loyal fans who keep on writing. Thanks for your support.

About the Author.