Vi Agra Falls (24 page)

Scowling at Judith, Gertrude grasped the receiver. “Vi?” The old lady paused. “You're addled? Who isn't?” She paused again. “Well, that's different. Yes, let me talk to Vivian.” Gertrude put a hand over the mouthpiece. “Somebody called Addledita. What kind of a name is
that
? Why don't parents name their kids Maude or Joan or Hazel anymore?”

Judith shrugged. It wasn't the right time to explain Hispanic name diminutives.

“Vi?” Gertrude said. “How about stopping by this afternoon? I've got a present for you, kind of bawdy, but you'll like it. Fact is, I should've given it to you a long time ago.”

Judith watched her mother's reaction, the scowl giving way to something akin to pleasure. “Swell. See you in half an hour.” Gertrude clicked off and shoved the phone at Judith. “There. I did your dirty work with
Dirty Gerty
. Come to think of it, Vi might get a kick out of it.”

Judith had gone to the fridge to get a quart of Razzle-Dazzle Raspberry ice cream. “While you eat dessert, I'll get one of the DVDs the producer sent you. They're in the basement.”

“They should've been buried in the backyard,” Gertrude muttered. “Don't be stingy with that ice cream, Toots.”

“I won't,” Judith promised, dishing three big spoonfuls into a bowl. “Okay, here's what you do. You give her the DVD, start talking about movies, and ask her the name of the actress Johnny married. Got it?”

“I guess so,” Gertrude muttered as Judith set the ice cream on the table. “Do they call them BVDs because everybody's running around in their underwear? Or even less than that?”

“It's
D
VD,” Judith said, “which stands for Digital Video Disc. Or maybe it's Digital Versatile Disc. Something like that, anyway.”

“Too much crazy stuff these days,” Gertrude grumbled, and dug into her ice cream.

By one o'clock, Renie still hadn't come back. Judith figured her cousin was probably being held prisoner by Aunt Deb. Caitlin returned a few minutes later, looking exasperated.

“The meeting with Mandrake Stokes was a fiasco,” she declared. “He had all sorts of questions about the ranch that I couldn't answer. I guess he's legit, but I can't help him or my mother, who, by the way, wasn't home when I stopped by.” She put her shoulder bag down on the credenza in the entry hall. “Adelita thought Mom was here. Is she?”

“Maybe,” Judith replied. “She was supposed to call on my mother. Strangely enough, they seem to like each other.”

“I've always wondered about that,” Caitlin said. “Do you think their bond is a way of annoying you?”

“Probably,” Judith said. “I figure that's part of it. Why can't Billy answer Mr. Stokes's questions? The ranch belonged to his father.”

“I gather Billy hasn't spent much time at the ranch in the past ten years,” Caitlin said. “More, maybe. Once he got out of baseball, he didn't hang around the old homestead. From what I can gather, he moved to Cancún in Mexico and was a beach bum. That's how he met Adelita. She wanted to come to the United States. Apparently, she had some family issues. Too overbearing or something, and she wanted to get out from under their strict surveillance. It's like pulling teeth to get anything straight out of Mom. Anyway, I think Adelita's affair with
Billy began in Cancún, so when he heard his dad was ailing, the two of them went to Florida, where Mr. Buss was taking in the sea air. Adelita came as a tourist and got Billy to sponsor her for a longer stay. And that's how Billy met Mom.”

Judith was puzzled. “I thought he met her through Potsy.”

Caitlin shook her head. “It was the other way around. Potsy was confined to a wheelchair. Billy wheeled him down to the beach where Mom was suntanning.”

“I see.”

Caitlin's green eyes danced with the same gold flecks inherited from her father. “I'm sure you do. Whatever was going on between Mom and Billy up to that point was out the window when she realized that Potsy was the one holding the purse strings.”

Judith nodded. “Did your half-sister, Terri, ever mention who her father married after he and your mother divorced?”

Caitlin made a face. “No. Mom hardly ever mentioned him. Neither did Terri. She wasn't around much when I was a kid. The last time I saw Terri was when I was in my teens, and she'd just broken up with a guy she'd been living with in San Francisco.”

“I'd like to talk to her,” Judith said. “Your mom has an address or phone number, right?”

“I suppose so,” Caitlin replied, picking up her shoulder bag. “Do you mind if I make myself a sandwich?”

“Go ahead. There's plenty of fixings in the fridge.”

Caitlin went out to the kitchen. Judith checked her guest registry to see who would be coming to Hillside Manor over the weekend. She was making mental notes when Adelita appeared at the open front door.

“Mrs. Flynn? May I come in?” the young woman asked.

“Sure,” Judith said. “What can I do for you?”

“I'm looking for Mrs. Buss. Is she here?”

“If she is, she's in my mother's apartment out back. Go down the driveway or through the kitchen to the back door.”

“Thank you.” Adelita headed for the dining room and the kitchen, but reappeared as Judith brought in the mail from the front porch.

“I go the other way,” she murmured, and left the house.

Judith went to the porch to see if Adelita was, in fact, heading for the toolshed. Sure enough, the young woman had reached the driveway and was walking briskly toward the backyard. Returning inside, Judith went out to the kitchen.

“Is there a reason Adelita is avoiding you?” she asked Caitlin, who was sitting at the table eating a salami and cheese sandwich.

Caitlin shrugged. “I saw her peek in here over those swinging half-doors. She turned around and disappeared.”

“Why did she do that?”

“Because I know about her and Billy.”

Judith sat down at the table. “You mean they're still having an affair?”

Caitlin nodded. “That's why Mom and Billy have separate bedrooms.”

“Does your mother know?”

“Probably.” Caitlin stared glumly at the glass of milk next to her plate. “Maybe it's one of those ménage à trois situations. Mom likes her little sexual adventures.” She looked up, her gaze fixed on Judith. “Do you know how often I've wished you'd been my real mother? Or is that too awful to even think, let alone say out loud?”

Judith was touched, if not flattered. “I never thought about it. I mean, I never knew you felt that way.” Her smile was bittersweet. “Frankly, I haven't been a very attentive stepmother. Life on this side of the world has kept me too busy.”

“It's not your fault,” Caitlin asserted. “By the time you and
my father got married, I was already living abroad. You never knew me until I was an adult.”

“That's true,” Judith conceded, “but I could have written or called or even emailed more often. On the other hand, I didn't want to overstep—” She stopped as the sound of loud, angry voices erupted from the backyard. “What's that?” she said, getting up.

“Let me look,” Caitlin offered. “It sounds like Mom.”

She hurried to the back porch, with Judith close behind. Vivian, Adelita, and a middle-aged woman were engaged in a shouting match. All of them were gesturing wildly. Judith started to go down the steps, but Caitlin put out a hand to stop her.

“Let them sort it out,” she urged grimly. “You wanted to know where you could find Terri. There she is, in your own backyard.”

F
rom snatches of furious insults, the battle seemed to be waged mainly between mother and daughter. Adelita had backed off a few paces and was keeping her mouth shut. Beyond the volatile little group, Judith could see Gertrude inching her way out of the toolshed.

The woman Caitlin had identified as Terri was shaking a fist at Vivian. “You don't want me! You never cared about me! Don't think you can buy me off!”

Herself took a menacing step closer to Terri. “I can buy and sell you a hundred times over! You've sold yourself often enough!”

“And you haven't?” Terri shot back. “I learned plenty from you! A drunken slut for a mother is a real lesson in life!”

Vivian lunged at her daughter, grabbing her by the shoulders. Terri kicked her mother in the stomach, sending Vivian reeling onto the small patio, where she fell against the barbecue. Terri dove headfirst onto the older woman, grappling for a handhold. Adelita backed off from the fray, arms crossed and smirking with apparent pleasure.

“That's enough!” Caitlin shouted, rushing to the patio. Terri was pummeling Vivian, who was screaming like a madwoman.
Grasping a handful of her half-sister's dark hair, Caitlin yanked hard. Terri let out a painful shriek as she struggled to get free.

Judith went down the steps to help separate the women. Before she reached the patio, Gertrude had put her wheelchair into high gear, rolled down the toolshed ramp with the ga-goo-ga horn blaring, crashed into the family feud, and almost toppled the statue of Saint Francis. Vivian fell to the patio's flagstones; Terri staggered on the grass, trying to stay upright.

“Stop that!” the old lady growled. “That's no way to act!”

Judith smiled tremulously at Gertrude. “You saved the day.”

The old lady's expression was stormy. “As Grandma Grover used to say, ‘If you don't listen, you got to feel.'” She glowered at Terri, who was leaning on the birdbath, and breathing hard. “You behave yourself, girlie. I won't stand for a rumpus.” On that note, she reversed the wheelchair and sped back into the toolshed.

Caitlin had managed to get Vivian on her feet. “Adelita,” Caitlin said sharply, “please see to Terri.”

Adelita's smirk disappeared, but she didn't budge. “I do not work for her. She can see to herself.”

“I'll take care of her,” Judith volunteered, with a tentative hand on Terri's arm. “Come inside. I'm Judith Flynn, Mrs. Grover's daughter.”

Terri's dark eyes flashed insolently. “So?”

Judith's hand fell to her side. “I'm just trying to help.” She paused. “I'd like to hear an explanation about how you and your mother got into such a fight on my turf.”

“That's none of your business,” Terri muttered, looking sullen.

“It is, actually,” Judith asserted, noting that Adelita was sauntering down the driveway, humming a faintly recognizable Latino song for lovers. “Especially when it involves
my
mother.”

Terri looked uncertain. “You kind of have a point.”

“Then why—” Judith was startled by the honk of a horn and the squeal of brakes. Her gaze swerved back to the driveway, where Renie's Camry had come to a halt with a screeching Adelita on the hood.

“Get the hell off of my car!” Renie yelled, jumping out into the driveway. “Put a dent in Cammy, and you're toast!”

Judith put both hands to her head. “Oh, God!”

Adelita slid off of the car, shaken but seemingly unharmed. She erupted into a stream of Spanish invective. Renie got out of the car and, with a hand on one hip, sneered. “I speak Spanish,” she said. “Want to hear me cuss you out in French and Italian, too? Furthermore, I don't have a sister, so shut the hell up!
Comprende, chica?
”

Adelita's response was an obscene gesture as she stalked off down the driveway. For good measure, Renie leaned back inside the Camry and honked the horn four times. Adelita jumped slightly, but kept going.

“That twit's so annoying, she ought to work for our insurance company,” Renie snarled. “I just finished Round One with State Crime.” She stared at Terri. “Who are you, and how will you piss me off?”

“This,” Judith said quickly, “is Terri Agra, Vivian's daughter.”

“Not Agra,” Terri asserted. “I go by my married name, Ostrom.”

“Sorry,” Judith said. “I didn't know.”

Terri shrugged. “It doesn't matter. We're divorced.”

“Surprise,” Renie muttered. “I'm going inside. It's too hot in the sun.” She stomped off, slamming the screen door behind her.

“Who,” Terri inquired in a hostile tone, “is
she
?”

“My cousin, Serena,” Judith replied. “Follow me. It
is
hot out here.”

“Serena?” Terri's round face looked perplexed. “Not a very good description of her personality.”

“No,” Judith agreed, “not always, anyway.”

“Then,” Terri said, “I don't want to go into your house if she's there. I'm not wanted anywhere.” Tears filled her dark eyes. “Typical. Nobody ever wanted me, except my dad, and even he—never mind.”

Judith was shaken. Terri, a product of divorce, neglected by her amoral mother, shunted from pillar to post by her father, with at least one broken marriage, and earning a living as a stripper. Now, in middle age, Terri's sense of being unwanted and unloved seemed palpable to Judith.

“Come inside. Renie—Serena—isn't mad at you,” Judith assured Terri. “She's having a bad day. She'll be fine.”

Terri looked uncertain. “Well…I'd like a drink, even water.”

“Okay.” Judith gently steered her unexpected guest to the porch steps. A sidelong glance at Terri revealed a softly defined profile, though possibly her nose had undergone cosmetic surgery. The shoulder-length dark hair was probably dyed, but Judith couldn't criticize, having taken that route herself after prematurely going gray. She noticed the hint of a double chin, a large bust that might have been augmented, an orchid tattoo on her bare upper arm, and fake pink fingernails. Two were broken; one was chipped. To Judith, Terri's appearance added up to a lack of self-worth, an attempt to become someone else. Although they had just met, she felt as if she already knew Terri. When they reached the back door, Judith suppressed the urge to offer her a hug.

Renie wasn't in sight, though her voice could be faintly heard on the phone in either the entry hall or the living room. “Have a seat,” Judith said. “What would you like? I've got plenty of choices. This is, as you may know, a B&B.”

“Oh?” Terri looked as if that was news to her. She sat down
at the table, raking her disheveled hair with unsteady fingers. “Beer?”

“Sure.” Judith reeled off the brands. Terri chose a Coors Light. Judith poured herself a glass of lemonade. “I gather you don't live here in town,” she said, sitting down across from her guest.

“I don't live anywhere,” Terri replied bitterly. “I lost my job in L.A. and came up here because I heard my so-called mother had moved back from Florida. I thought she might want to help instead of hinder me. We've never been close.” She hung her head and bit her lips. “You really don't want to hear about my screwed-up life, do you?”

“Yes,” Judith said. “I'm a people person. I'm interested in hearing life stories.”
And have I ever heard some strange ones,
she thought.

Terri looked as if she didn't quite believe Judith. “Most people don't want to listen to anybody else.”

Judith shrugged. “I guess I'm not one of those.”

Terri studied her hostess for a moment. “You have a kind face. I suppose people trust you.”

Judith nodded. “They seem to.”

The hint of a smile played at Terri's wide mouth. “I'm not used to somebody who wants to hear me talk about myself.”

“Give it a go,” Judith responded, returning Terri's smile.

She sighed heavily. “Okay, I'll start at the beginning. After I was born, my mother thought she'd be the next Peggy Lee. Her so-called career as a singer came first. No time for her baby girl.” Terri paused, nervously trying to scrape some of the pink polish from one of her artificial nails. “When my parents split, Mom insisted I'd be better off with Dad for a while. That turned out to be a long while, more like forever. I didn't know how she'd react to me coming here. At first, she seemed okay, but…” Shaking her head, Terri sipped some beer.

“I take it you're not staying with your mother.”

“Right. I got here last Sunday. She said I'd have to stay at a motel, but she'd pay for it.” Terri fondled the beer can, rubbing it as if it was a magic lamp and a genie might pop out. “She did. I mean, she gave them her credit card, but after I arrived, she asked me to take part in this big party she was giving. She told me,” Terri added, sneering, “I could earn my keep doing my old stripper act. I hadn't done that in ages. Except,” she added, dropping her voice, “for an occasional private party.”

“But you didn't get to perform,” Judith remarked.

“No.” Terri's expression was ironic. “After my mother's big announcement, I was to make my entrance through the garden, so I waited in the basement. Then the fight broke out with the neighbors. I heard the commotion, but it quieted down. I figured everything was okay and waited for my cue. Suddenly there was more yelling and carrying on. Billy finally came down to say the party was over. I wanted to get my clothes from upstairs, but he said to hold off. The brawl had moved inside. I told Billy that Doug—my half-brother—was giving me a ride to the motel. When he was ready to leave, he'd bring my clothes with him.” She paused to drink more beer.

“I heard Doug never showed up,” Judith said, trying to ignore Renie, who was shouting into the phone from the living room.

“Oh, he showed up in the basement,” Terri said in digust, “but he hadn't brought my clothes. Doug insisted I stay put. Barry would give me a ride when he sobered up. I just wanted to get out of there, but all this noise was going on upstairs.” She shuddered. “It was awful.”

“Did Barry ever come to get you?” Judith asked.

Terri shook her head. “Nobody came.”

“Why didn't you call a cab and leave?”

Terri looked incredulous. “In the rig I was wearing? No way! I kept waiting.” She lowered her head. “There was a bottle of
bourbon in the basement. Oh, there's booze all over the house. God help my mother if she didn't have her next drink close enough. There was a blanket lying on a carton of Scotch, but the floor was wet, maybe from the ice for the party. I found a spare bedroom off a little hall and went to sleep. The next thing I knew, there were cops all over the place. I kept the blanket around me and ran out of the basement. Somehow I ended up in your backyard. I figured that little building was for storage, but at least it was a place where I could get my head together.”

“Instead, you found your mother there,” Judith noted.

Terri sighed. “Oh, yes.” Her olive skin darkened. “Yes.” The last word was barely audible.

“And…?”

Terri put a hand in the pocket of her cutoff jeans. “Is it okay to smoke? I know your mother does.”

“Go ahead. I'll get an ashtray.” Judith stood up and opened a drawer under the counter, taking out a souvenir from Scotland with a logo depicting a hooded monk stirring a vat of beer. “Go on.”

“Mom got all nicey-nicey,” Terri replied after exhaling a puff of smoke. “She told me to come with her to that little kitchen and get a glass of juice. That seemed odd—there was barely room for both of us in there. Mom had her own flask and refilled her glass of O.J. She told me my clothes were on her front porch and to get out of town fast. The cops had me high on their suspect list for killing the man in the backyard.” Terri paused to sip some beer and take another drag on her cigarette.

“Why?” Judith asked, surprised.

“She thought he might be somebody I knew from Vegas,” Terri answered. “The cops would connect the dots. I told her I hadn't been to Vegas in years. Anyway, I was stony-broke. She gave me a hundred-dollar bill and told me to take a bus out of town. Just like that.” Terri shook her head in disbelief. “A
hunsky wasn't going to take me very far. I didn't know what to do, so I…left.”

Judith realized Terri was about to cry. “But not before…?” She let the question dangle.

Renie apparently had either hung up the phone or taken her battle outside. For what seemed like a long time, the only sound Judith could hear was the ticking of the schoolhouse clock.

Finally, Terri briefly looked Judith in the eye. “My mother had gone back into the sitting room. I went into the bathroom to sort out my thoughts. I was still…fuzzy. When I came out, I looked into the bedroom. Everything is so small in that little place. Anyway…” She sighed heavily and wiped a tear from each eye. “I took that ring. I opened the bureau to see if there was any other jewelry. There wasn't, not that I could see. But there was a box of candy and I hadn't eaten since—oh, I'm not sure, I never got any dinner that night, let alone breakfast in the morning. I grabbed the candy, said good-bye, and left.”

Judith refrained from rebuking Terri. “But you didn't leave town.”

Avoiding Judith's gaze, Terri shook her head. “I took the ring to a couple of pawnshops. The most I could get was eighty dollars. That wasn't going to take me very far, either.” She delved into her pocket again. “Here's the ring. I'm so very sorry.”

Judith picked up her mother's ring. “Thank you,” she said quietly. “Mother will be glad to get it back.”

At last, Terri looked at Judith. “Are you going to turn me in?”

“Hardly.” She put the ring into the pocket of her cotton slacks. “This is between us. Did you eat any candy?” she asked casually.