“Mmm, this is good.” A glob of tartar sauce oozed out on the corner of Dee Dee’s mouth. I pointed to my mouth to clue her in. She shot us an embarrassed look and wiped off the offending sauce. Quiet enveloped our table while we tamed our hunger. Once sated, we talked between bites.
“Ruth, what did Jasmine do when she wasn’t allowed to run?” I dipped a crispy fry in a lake of ketchup and popped it in my mouth.
“She was madder than a pirate who’d lost his booty. Jasmine stood up at the meeting and told Grace she was going to put a stop to her antics. Then she just walked out. I haven’t seen her at another meeting.” Ruth pushed her empty plate away.
“Ladies, would you like dessert?” Our lady pirate offered dessert menus.
“I don’t know. I’m full as a tick.” I patted my belly to prove it.
Dee Dee elbowed me. “Hey, speak for yourself.” She pointed to a picture on the menu. “Look at this.” She jabbed her finger at a chocolate dessert. “Pirate’s Booty. I’ll have this please.”
My mouth watered. “Wanna share?”
“I don’t think so.” Dee Dee looked at me like I’d lost my mind. Ruth said she’d share with me so we ordered two Pirate’s Booty double chocolate desserts. Oh well, what’s a girl to do? After all, we were on vacation.
We sat back to wait. “Ruth, can you tell us how we could get in touch with Jasmine?”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
She works at one of the local tourist shops, Pirate’s Treasure. She’s listed in the phone book as Jasmine Watters.”
“Dee Dee, are you getting this down?” She nodded as she wrote in her notebook.
The waitress returned with our desserts. I cut mine in half and handed Ruth a portion. Dee Dee stuck her finger in the icing and plopped the gooey sweetness into her mouth. “Mmm. Aren’t you glad you ordered your own?”
The next few minutes were quiet except for a few mmms and aahs as we devoured the scrumptious treat. We thanked Ruth for her help and said our good-byes.
“The list grows longer,” Dee Dee noted.
“Who’s on the roll so far?”
Dee Dee retrieved her notebook and shoved it toward me. “Take a gander.”
1. Mary Sue Bartlett – Grace’s former cook.
2. Bert Watkins – Grace’s ex-husband.
3. Jasmine Watters – wanted to run for president of Save the Turtles.
“Dee I know we don’t have George written down. I mean there’s no need for him to be on the list, but I still have qualms about him.”
I drove back toward the Inn.
Dee surveyed our list of suspects. “We can’t forget to find out his address and tag number tonight so Beau can run a background check on him.”
I had an idea and slowed to make a turn. “Let’s take a detour and check out the lighthouse.”
“Sounds good to me. Your camera’s in the backseat if you want pictures.”
She reached back and grabbed it for me.
“Savannah and Tybee Island are steeped in history and I’m excited about the chance to write about some of the sights.” I’d almost forgotten my writing assignment with the murder investigation.
I parked in the sandy lot and we walked across the road to join the other curious tourists. A family with three children in tow walked around the lighthouse. The man took pictures as they posed by the giant structure. I ran my hand over the historic plaque and read it out loud.
“A lighthouse on Tybee was one of the first public structures in Georgia. It was completed in 1736 by William Bilthman, built of cedar piles and brickwork.” I continued to read aloud. My heart skipped a beat when I read Union soldiers burned it down. Years later, renovation would restore it to its original grandeur. I snapped picture after picture.
“We need to bring Nana and Mama to see this.”
“That’s a great idea.” I clicked a few more pictures before we left.
We drove back to Seaside Cottage without incident, but if I’d known what awaited us I’d have driven the other way. I swanny, Nana was going to turn my locks gray one hair at a time.
She met us at the door. “Hi, girls. What ‘cha been up to? Betty Jo and I have been on our own adventure.”
I expected her to say na-na-na boo-boo any minute.
“You should see what I bought to wear tonight. George is going to be in for a treat.”
Mama walked into the room. Her hair was uncombed and her clothes askew. She looked like she’d been through the wringer. “I’m so glad you’re back. I need to rest for a while. Could you can keep Nana company?”
I gave Mama a questioning look. It all became crystal clear when Nana dropped her surprise on us.
“Look what I got.” She lifted the pant leg of her jogging outfit, flooring me.
“Nana! A tattoo! Why in the world would you want to get a mermaid tattooed on your ankle?” I glanced over at Mama. I couldn’t believe she agreed to Nana’s indulgence.
Mama held out her hands, palms up. “We were shopping for something new to wear when she slipped away from me.”
“Now, Betty Jo, don’t you worry about this. I’m plenty old enough to make decisions for myself. I’ve always wanted a tattoo, and when I saw the Inked Tattoo Parlor, I thought why not? A mermaid is perfect to remember our trip by.”
I loved Nana, but I knew her antics took a heavy toll on Mama. When Mama was a little girl she had lost both of her parents and Nana had stepped in to raise her. She loved her like a mother. Now the tables were turned, and Mama felt like she was the parent. I tried to imagine what it was like to be in Nana’s shoes. She was plenty old enough to make her own decisions, but she didn’t always make the best ones. I’ve tried to tell Mama, in Nana’s case “you need to pick your battles.” I guess Mama lost this one.
“I’m going upstairs to take a nap. Nana, why don’t you come with me?” Mama looked like she would drop any minute.
“I’m not tired. Come on, Trixie. Let’s go sightseeing.”
“Nana, how about we all take a nap? You want to be fresh for George tonight, don’t you?”
“Fresh? Of course I’ll be fresh with George.” Nana laughed at her own wit. I rolled my eyes.
“I saw that, Missy. Don’t think you can sneak an eye roll by me.” Nana has an uncanny sense of knowing when I do that, even if we’re talking on the phone. “Okay, I’ll retire for a nap if all of you are going to rest, too.”
I no sooner put my head on the pillow when Dee Dee shook me. “Come on, Sleeping Beauty. It’s time to get up. You don’t want to be late for our big date tonight.” I rolled over and pulled the covers over my head. Dee Dee promptly pulled them off. I slowly made my way from the bed to the bathroom. I returned to find Dee Dee ready to go.
I’d always heard if you have red hair there are certain colors you shouldn’t wear. Dee Dee has never followed this rule. Today was no exception. She wore a bright orange jumper covered in yellow starfish. She’d complimented the outfit with a yellow short-sleeved shirt under the jumper. A yellow and orange necklace laced with seashells hung around her neck. She completed her outfit with a comfortable pair of Hush Puppies. She looked stylish and cute as she twirled around.
I settled on a pair of black slacks with a white button up blouse. I needed comfortable shoes for supporting my knee. I slipped on a pair of black Clarks. I stuck my left hand in front of me and peered at my empty ring finger. Would I have an engagement ring on the naked finger in a few days?
“Hey, what are you doing?” Dee Dee startled me.
“Uh, nothing.” I changed the subject. “Wow. You look great. I need to add some color to my wardrobe.”
“I’ve been telling you that for some time now.”
I took one last glance in the mirror and recalled a necklace Beau had given me. I dug in my makeup bag and found it. A black butterfly hand-painted on the surface of a sand dollar was the perfect touch. Not too bad. I wished Beau could see me. I missed him and my heart ached. God, please help me to make the right decision. Soon.