Gypped by Carol Higgins Clark

Zelda. “It turns out I had to meet a client nearby. Do you mind if I come over now?”
    “No, but I have to warn you, my stomach’s acting up. I’m still in bed.”
    “That’s fine.”
    “But wait a minute,” Zelda said. “Norman’s about to leave for the store. My friend Regan who you met last night is coming over for lunch and we need food. I don’t think I can make it downstairs to let you in.”
    “Can he wait a few minutes until I get there?”
    “I suppose.” When she hung up, Zelda called Norman’s cell phone. He was in the kitchen heading out the door. “Rich is on his way. Stick around a few minutes and let him in.”
    “I’ll leave the door unlocked and wait in my car.” Norman was dying to put a CD in his car stereo and belt out a tune. With Zelda paying for my singing lessons, he thought, the sky’s the limit.
    “That’s fine. You know what, you don’t have to wait.”
    “Yes, I do!”
    “Okay. I’ll see you later.”
    Norman was snapping his fingers and singing along withthe Jersey Boys when Rich pulled up the driveway in his snooty sports car and parked next to him. Norman rolled down his passenger window. “The door’s unlocked. Lock it behind you,” he called out.
    “I will,” Rich said with a wave as he reached for his briefcase. He watched as Norman disappeared down the driveway, walked inside, and went upstairs.
    “Zelda?” he called as he knocked on her open door.
    “Come on in.”
    “I’m so sorry you’re not feeling well.”
    “Something didn’t agree with me.”
    “I stopped at a health food store and bought you some tea,” he said, taking a paper cup out of a brown bag. “They say it’s great for an upset stomach.”
    Zelda sat up and took a sip. “It’s different,” she said, then took another sip. “I don’t mean to be rude, Rich, but as they say, it’s not my cup of tea. I like the basic brands. Nothing too exotic.”
    Rich laughed. “No problem. I was hoping it would make you feel better.”
    “I appreciate it, I really do.” Zelda’s head was back on the pillow. “Leave it there. Maybe I’ll try another sip.”
    “Sure,” Rich said. “It won’t hurt my feelings if you don’t drink it.”
    Zelda sat up. She tried the tea again, then shook her head. “Sorry, Rich.”
    “That’s fine.” He put the lid back on the cup, then placed the cup back into the bag. “You win some, you lose some,” he joked. “I can see that you really don’t feel well, so I won’t take much of your time. Heather and I are heading out of town this afternoon and won’t be back until the middle of next week. I wanted to talk to you about a few things first.”
    “I want to talk to you, too. I need to change my will.”
    “Does that have something to do with your father getting married?” he asked solicitously.
    “It has everything to do with my father getting married.” Tears stung Zelda’s eyes.
    Rich sat in the chair next to the bed. “I’m so sorry about that, Zelda,” he said gently. “As you know, my mother died when I was young. My father remarried a couple years later. What I never told you was that at the beginning I couldn’t stand his new wife.”
    “Really?”
    “Yes. I never talk about it because she turned out to be wonderful. Maybe your father’s wife will become a good friend of yours.”
    “I doubt it. But she’ll get her big chance to win me over soon. They’re coming here tonight.”
    “They are?” he asked. “Already?”
    “Yes. They wanted to get a look at this crazy house.”
    Rich laughed. “This place is interesting, that’s for sure. But, tell me, what do you want to do with your will?”
    Zelda explained her idea about the trust.
    “Makes sense. Heather’s law firm handles trusts. She knows the ins and outs better than I do. I’ll talk to her about it this weekend.”
    “Are you two getting serious?”
    “I think so. Heather is special.”
    “Everyone around me is tying the knot. If you plan to get married,