“I think I need to go back to the hotel,” Mama said. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I think I’ll feel better if I can rest for a while.” She looked so pale.
“The action and movement can cause queasiness, Mama, that’s no problem. We’ll be glad to take you back so you can lie down.”
She straightened, but still held a hand to her forehead. “No way. I won’t have you sitting with me. You take Nana and finish up that list of things she wanted to do. I’ll hear of nothing else. I’ll be fine.”
“Are you sure, Betty Jo?” Dee Dee handed Mama a Coke and sat down on the other side of her. We gave her a few more minutes, then dropped her off at the hotel and tackled the next stop on Nana’s list.
We were lucky to find a parking spot right in front of the Creative Discovery Museum downtown. As soon as we walked in, and I saw the hands on exhibits, I knew Nana would be determined to experience each and every one. Cute little twin girls stood beside her as they dug for miniature artifacts in the dirt. Nana squealed when she found a replica dinosaur bone. I wasn’t sure which of them had more fun.
While she was busy, Dee Dee and I sat and talked. “Hey Dee! Look over there.” Dee turned in the direction I pointed. “That’s Amanda Holbrook with her friend we met the other night on the Riverboat,” I said. They were next to a round cement bowl, I couldn’t imagine what it was for.
It was odd to see them there. We hadn’t run into any of my other classmates, but this was the second time we’d ended up in the same place as Amanda.
“I wonder if they’re following us.” Dee Dee said what I thought.
“Aw, probably not.” I decided it was just coincidence. Why would she be following me?
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
As I said that, Amanda’s head popped up and turned as if she’d heard me. Surely she couldn’t have heard that from across the room. I was relieved when she smiled and waved to me and Dee Dee. Phew, that was close. We needed to be careful what we said in public. Especially while we were sitting right next to sound amplification exhibits. I waved back, and then grabbed Nana so we could move to a different room.
By the time we finished, it was lunch time. We chose to get a burger at the Big River Grille, where we discussed Nana’s agenda and what we wanted to do next on the list. We bundled up before we went back outside. The sky was crystal clear, allowing the sun to shine like a bright copper penny warming the air. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day.
Next stop – Walnut Street Bridge. According to a brochure Nana had picked up, the 1890 bridge was the first to connect Chattanooga with the North Shore.
The bridge, closed to motor vehicles in 1978, sat in disuse and disrepair for nearly a decade. Repairs and structural modifications had been made to turn the bridge into a pedestrian walkway. The Walnut Street Bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places on February 23, 1990. The 2,376 foot span is one of the world’s longest pedestrian bridges, and sits near the heart of a massive and recently completed urban renewal project. The bridge is well loved by local residents and very popular among tourists. From December 2009 to May 2010, the bridge’s deteriorating asphalt surface was replaced with wood planking. Tourists walked on both sides of the bridge stopping to admire the view.
The bridge, covered with fairy lights, is a photographer’s dream when the sun goes down. I was glad I’d brought my camera from the hotel when we dropped off Mama to recover her tummy.
We were halfway across the span when we stopped to view an island in the distance. I was busy taking pictures when Nana said, “Watch this!” I knew whatever she was about to do couldn’t be good. I’d heard the story too many times about the redneck’s last words, “watch this!”
I turned to see Nana spitting off the side of the bridge. Dee Dee wasn’t going to be outdone. “Let me try.” Dee Dee leaned out and took her turn. Oh – my – goodness, how did I get so lucky to have these two for companions? “Come on, Trixie, give it a try.”
“Have you lost your mind?” I’d done a lot of things, but spit off a bridge was not one of them. But those two had no intention of giving up.
“Trixie, surely you aren’t too good to see how far you can spit.” Nana’s eyes twinkled as she threw down the gauntlet. “Life is too short to be so uptight all the time.”
I wasn’t going to let a little sprite of a woman get the best of me. “All right. If that’s what you want, then I’ll show you. I happened to be the neighborhood champion back in the day. I out spit all the boys.” I readied myself and spit for all I was worth.
We crowded together to see where it would land. Unfortunately none of us thought about the boats that floated under the bridge. What were the odds that a riverboat crammed with people on deck would appear from under the bridge the same time my glob of spit careened in the wind? I could see a lady wiping her face and looking up. Then several of the surrounding people were pointing up at us. We backed up, and hurriedly walked down the bridge before stopping to catch our breath.
I was mortified, but a nervous giggle escaped my lips. “Well, I hope you ladies are happy now. I just hope no one recognizes me from that distance. I’ll be in trouble for sure. Wait and see if I let y’all talk me into another hare-brained idea.” Lord, please send me some patience, now!
Dee Dee gave my shoulder a thump. “You did win the distance contest, though!”
“And accuracy!” Nana added, and she and Dee doubled over in laughter. I had to admit it was funny, but I still felt awful for the poor woman.
“Come on Trixie, we’re headed over to the merry-go-round on the other side of the bridge. I know that’ll cheer you up.” Dee Dee and Nana started discussing which animal they wanted to ride. I was grateful that for just a few minutes I’d forgotten about the murder. But there was nothing I could do until either Beau arrived, or Detective Sams found evidence to clear my name. I allowed Dee and Nana to lead me inside.
Thank goodness the merry-go-round was located in a large warm room. According to a plaque on the wall, the carousel was built in Atlanta in 1895 by Gustav Dentzel where it made many children happy until its dismantling in 1960. Several businessmen found it in a deteriorated condition and hired artists to refurbish it for use in Coolidge Park in Chattanooga.
It was unlike any other carousel I’d seen. There were not only the usual horses, but colorful, unique animals. A tiger, giraffe, elephant and a bunny decorated the carousel. The excited children ran around trying to decide on a favorite.
“Which one are you going to ride?” Nana was buying a ticket.
“I’m choosing one of the horses. Aren’t they beautiful?” Dee Dee dug in her purse for some change. “Trixie, have you picked one out yet?”
I recalled a similar carousel I’d taken my daughter, Jill, on and it brought back fond memories. “I don’t know, I’m going to walk around before I choose.” How would Jill take it if her mama was convicted of murder? I was deep in thought when I heard Nana’s shrill voice.
“No, I was here first.” What was going on? I looked to see Nana and a little girl standing beside a giant gray bunny with pink ears.
The determined child stomped her foot. “I saw it first.”
“Well, you might have seen it first, but I beat you to it.”
I expected Nana to stick her tongue out any minute. Dee Dee came up behind me. “Oh, boy! I guess I need to referee.” She grabbed Nana by the elbow and eased her toward a couple of horses. “Nana, come on, ride with me.”
“All right, I didn’t want to ride on a bunny anyway.” I followed a few steps behind. As usual Dee Dee took one of Nana’s capers and diffused a possible disaster. She mouthed, “Sorry,” to the little girls’ astonished parents as Nana climbed up on a chocolate brown steed. I’d be forever grateful for her help with Nana. “Come on girls, let’s go back across the river,” I said when the ride was finished, glad Mama hadn’t been with us. The round and round motion had left me a little dizzy.