Death in the Polka Dot Shoes (34 page)

“Lil?” I asked. “Will Martha be all right?”

Lil knew exactly what I was asking. “Don't worry Ned, she'll get over it. Your friends understand. It's just that Martha cares a little more deeply for you than you may realize.”

I decided to leave the conversation there, for another day, as my dad used to say.

“Pete,” I asked, “how about driving over to Osprey Cove before we go home. I want to show you my property. Have I ever told you about my dream of a French chateau on pilings, with ten foot doors that open onto a deck overlooking the Bay?”

Lil's body went on full alert. She turned around in the front seat, with eyes as big as hubcaps, and asked, “What are you up to? Are you going to build a house?” Lil knew this would be a huge step, a commitment far greater than just running a crab boat or a law practice.

“Lil,” I said carefully, “I have heard the oyster music.”

“Hallelujah!” Lillian screamed. “Welcome to Parkers.”

“Listen Ned,” Pete said, “I want to talk to you about a new boat, a charter fishing boat. You could take the insurance money from the
Martha Claire
, make a down payment on a brand new fiberglass charter boat. It might cost two or three hundred thousand dollars, but you can handle it. What do you think?”

“Let's not go too fast, Pete,” I said.

Pete slowed the car to make a final turn off Solomons Island Road and head for Osprey Cove. As we maneuvered around the corner, Lil pressed her face against the window and stared in silence. Walking along the road were the familiar figures of the Pipe Lady, the Lab and the Mutt. She was puffing confidently on her pipe, and small clouds of smoke rolled gently over the rim. Occasionally, she pulled the bowl from her mouth, and uttered several rambling phrases. The Lab never raised his head.

THE END

About the Author

Marlin Fitzwater is the author of several books including a memoir, a novel, and short stories. He received America's second highest civilian achievement award, the Presidential Citizens Medal, from President George H. W. Bush in 1992. He was Presidential Press Secretary to both Bush and President Ronald Reagan. He is from Abilene, Kansas and is actively involved with the Marlin Fitzwater Center for Communication at Franklin Pierce University. He is married and has two children.