Dying for a Change by Kathleen Delaney Page A

looked as if it had been smartly styled a few days ago, but hardly combed today. The room was quite warm, but she had the cardigan sweater she wore pulled tightly around her. Eyes red rimmed, face gray, she seemed consumed with grief and shock. She looked up when we came in, but I thought she was only partly conscious of our presence.
    “ Mother, Ellen McKenzie has come to see you. You remember her, don’t you? She’s a Page.” The daughter turned to me with a sad try of a smile. “Will you excuse me? I have to get back to the kitchen. Thank you again for coming.”
    I stood for a moment, at a complete loss for words. Every ounce of my being wanted to turn and run. Suddenly, Vera looked up at me and said, “Sit down, Ellen. It was thoughtful of you to come. I remember your parents, of course. I heard they moved away somewhere.”
    I murmured, “Yes, Scottsdale. The weather, you know.” It was obvious Vera wasn’t interested in where my parents had gone, or why.
    “ Dan told us you found my husband,” she went on, her tone flat. “I’m so sorry. It must have been horrible for you.” Then she broke off, her whole body appeared to shudder, and she was still again.
    Not as horrible as this, I thought, while I heard myself say, “I’m so sorry, Mrs. Sawyer. Such a terrible thing. My parents send their deepest sympathy.”
    “ Thank them for me. Your father and Hank used to...” She took a deep breath and seemed to stare off into space.
    “ If it’s any consolation,” I said, wondering how soon I could escape, “everyone I talk with says what a good man Hank was, fun to be with, a good friend.”
    “ And a wonderful, loving husband and father.” She said this almost defensively, looking at a picture of a tall, handsome, blond man standing with his arm around the young girl who had opened the front door for me. She was in graduation cap and gown and both were smiling at the camera. It was easy to see how Hank made so many conquests. He looked much younger than Vera, and his charm and good humor almost leapt out of the frame. My expression must have given away my thoughts because for the first time I seemed to have her full attention.
    “ He was, you know. A good husband. Oh, I know what people said. They’ve been saying it for years. But it wasn’t true.” He eyes blazed and her voice was a harsh whisper. “He flirted a little, that was all. He liked to laugh, to joke, but it was me he loved. I used to tell him, you’ve got to be careful. People will talk. He’d say, let ‘em. You know I love you, don’t you, Vera. I did know. He loved me.”
    Her voice faded. “And now he’s gone. Gone. Just like that...” She sat back in her chair, leaving me and the room we were in behind.
    This was not fun, I decided. Books made everything seem so easy, but watching Vera was agonizing. I wanted to ask her a question and now, before I lost my nerve, I blurted it out. “Was Hank planning to meet someone Sunday afternoon? At the new house he was building?”
    “ I don’t know.” I could barely hear her words. It was plain I no longer existed.
    I got up, murmured vague words, and started into the hallway. The daughter, Violet, appeared.
    “ It was really nice of you to take the time to come, Ellen. Mother’s in a bad way, and we still have to get through tomorrow.” She paused, reached into her apron pocket for a tissue, and daubed at her eyes before continuing. “My sister and I’ve been talking. We think it best if I take Mother home with me for a while. We’ve got some decisions to make, but none of us are thinking straight right now.” She swallowed hard. “You work with Sharon Harper, don’t you? Would you tell her I’ll call her in a week or so about Dad’s properties? I’d appreciate it, Ellen, and thanks again for coming.” She stuck out her hand; I placed mine in it, and quickly made my escape, my head and emotions in a whirl.
    I climbed into my car, trying to sort out my thoughts. Vera