Free When Bobbie Sang the Blues by Peggy Darty

and sprinted to her room.
She suspects that Jack, or even Bobbie, may have something to do with his disappearance
, she thought. As she drove to the market, she kept an eye out for Eddie and his white truck.

    That evening Bobbie and Jack decided to grill out at his place, but when invited, Christy declined. “I have to work on my novel,” she said. “But you two have fun.”
    They roared off in Jack’s SUV, Bobbie sitting close beside him.
    Christy went back inside, smiling to herself. They looked like two teenagers falling in love for the first time. She hoped things worked out for them.

Wednesday
    C hristy didn’t hear her alarm for several minutes, and as she fumbled toward consciousness, she realized she’d never heard Bobbie come home either. She rolled over on the pillow, stretched, and eyed the clock. Three minutes after nine. The aroma of coffee drifted from the kitchen, and she tossed back the covers and headed to the bathroom to freshen up.
    When she reached the kitchen, she found a note on the eating bar. “Gone to the hardware store to get more supplies. And Donna wants to know when I can sing again.”
    “Good,” Christy said, pouring herself a cup of coffee. She had been worried about the scene in the club Monday night. Bobbie had a wonderful voice, and it would be a shame for Eddie to ruin her chance to sing. Christy poured cream and stirred her coffee, thinking about Donna. Her invitation to Bobbie to sing again proved she wasn’t ruled by gossip or speculation. Anyone who witnessed the scene should realize Eddie was nuts. At least, he seemed that way to Christy.
    Glancing at the phone, she fought the urge to call Roseann and find out if Eddie had returned to the motel. Maybe she’d just drive by later.
    She walked out onto the sun porch to enjoy her coffee. Bobbie had spread newspapers across the floor and left her painted post there to dry. Christy admired the glossy purple post with its new red base.
Amazing
, she thought.
    A little red truck roared into the driveway, and Christy watched her aunt hop out like a sixteen-year-old. A brown sack bulged in her small arms.
    “Good morning,” Bobbie called, her blond curls bobbing as she hurried up the walk.
    “Morning,” Christy called back, walking over to open the screen door for her. Beaded earrings dangled from Bobbie’s ears, a turquoise circle that matched the beads on her T-shirt. She wore crisp white jeans and a pair of wedge sandals.
    “Like your outfit,” Christy said.
    “I’ve always loved clothes.” Bobbie sidestepped the post to enter the kitchen and deposit her load on the counter. “The corbels I bought yesterday didn’t fit…” She paused, noting Christy’s confusion. “I have to insert little racks if it’s going to be a coatrack,” she explained.
    Christy smiled. “You and Jack must have had fun last night. You look radiant this morning.”
    Bobbie clasped her hands and looked at Christy with an expression of joy. “He’s a wonderful man. We grilled steaks, and I whipped up some of my creamy mashed potatoes. We bakedpeanut butter cookies at midnight.” She laughed and turned to unload her purchases.
    Christy’s eyes swept her aunt’s diminutive frame. “Well, I guess you’re just one of those lucky people who can eat anything she wants and never pack on a pound.”
    Bobbie didn’t seem to hear her. A frown had appeared on her forehead, and she turned back to Christy. “Eddie’s truck wasn’t at the motel when I passed it this morning. Maybe he came back and they left. I hope I’ve seen him for the last time.”
    Christy breathed a deep sigh. Maybe everything had turned out okay after all. “I hope you’re right. Well, I have to get dressed and make a dash into town to get office supplies. I ran out of computer paper last night, and my printer needs a new ink cartridge. Can I get you anything?”
    “One more chance,” Bobbie said, her eyes hopeful.
    “Excuse me?”
    “One more chance at happiness.