Free A Cherry Cola Christmas by Ashton Lee Page A

happened?!” The receiver nearly slipped out of Maura Beth’s hand, and Jeremy continued to look concerned.
    â€œParker said they won’t know ’til they get her to the medical examiner, but it could have been her heart,” Periwinkle continued. “That’s what the paramedics told him was most likely after they tried to revive her with those paddle things. He followed the ambulance down to the morgue at Cherico Memorial. He’s probably gotten there by now.”
    â€œWhere are you?”
    â€œAlmost there myself. I was halfway home when he called me sobbing, bless his heart.”
    At that point Jeremy could stand the suspense no longer, vigorously nudging Maura Beth and cocking his head emphatically.
    â€œPeriwinkle,” she whispered, covering the receiver. “Mr. Place’s mother died tonight.” The creases across Jeremy’s face quickly deepened further.
    â€œMaura Beth, are you still there?” Periwinkle asked, somehow sensing the lack of attention.
    â€œYes, I’m here. Do you want me to come down there to be with you? I’d be more than happy to.”
    â€œNo, you get a good night’s sleep. I’ll call you tomorrow as soon as I know something about the funeral arrangements.”
    Maura Beth was trying her best to steady herself, reaching out to grasp Jeremy’s hand. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Periwinkle. I’m sure you know you’ll both be in my prayers. Jeremy’s, too—I just whispered to him what happened.”
    â€œYou and I—we’ve always been there for each other, girl.”
    â€œYes, we have. I don’t think I’d have ever lasted at the library those first few years without your support and advice. I was so naïve about everything. Now you call me in the morning.”
    After the conversation had ended, Maura sat stunned for a while but eventually was able to tell Jeremy everything further he needed to know.
    â€œThat’s a terrible break for Mr. Place,” he said, shaking his head. “I really like him, and he’s one fine pastry chef.”
    â€œI’m glad he and Periwinkle have become so close. I definitely know that he helped her through all that trouble she had with Harlan. Now she can do the same for him.” She gave Jeremy a bewildered glance. “But I’m about ready to turn off every phone in the house. I’ve had all I can stand for one night.”
    Â 
    Maura Beth was not surprised that she had trouble falling asleep. The image of Mr. Place discovering his mother just would not leave her alone, torturing her every time she became the least bit drowsy. She and Jeremy had talked it all out as best they could, and she had even gone into the bathroom and taken a couple of melatonin tablets; but nothing seemed to be helping.
    Finally, she slipped off. But her dreaming attempt to resolve the activities of the day was even worse than being awake and tossing and turning. She was slowly driving down Commerce Street in her little Prius, looking right and left into store windows, hoping to spot criminal activity of some sort but finding none. In fact, she was so absorbed in her detective work that she did not see what was lying in wait for her. Just ahead, a great gaping crater opened up, and she drove her car right to the edge. It teetered there, balancing precariously. Somehow she was able to slide out of the front seat and peer into the abyss below. That sinkhole she had contemplated during the day had arrived and appeared to be spreading outward in all directions.
    She had to step back as it pursued her—and then she was on the run. As she looked over her shoulder from time to time, she noticed that buildings on both sides of the street were falling into the bottomless pit below. And then it came to her that if she ran fast enough and far enough, she could seek asylum in Ardenia Bedloe’s house on Big Hill Lane.
    In a flash she was there, urgently