Anything Is Possible(18)

“A dog didn’t dig up the body?”

“No, ma’am, that did not happen. I guess he buried her deep enough.” Karen-Lucie held up two fingers. “Two years, and he says, Mama—I got to tell you something.”

“What happened to the family of the girl?”

“They moved. Joy’s ex-husband left too. Won’t have anything to do with his son at all. Wiped his hands clean. Joy goes every month to see her boy in Joliet.”

Yvonne shook her head slowly, drew her fingers through her hair. “Whew,” she said.

After a long silence, Karen-Lucie said, “I’m awful sorry you never had your kids, Yvie, I know you wanted kids so bad.”

“Well,” said Yvonne. “You know.”

“You’d have been a good mama, I do know that.”

Yvonne looked at her friend. “It’s life. It’s all just friggin’ life.”

“Yes, it is,” Karen-Lucie said. “Yes, it is.”



The next morning, which was three mornings after she had first arrived, Yvonne Tuttle approached Linda at the kitchen sink. Linda had not known Yvonne was still in the house and she was startled to find the woman standing behind her as she washed her coffee cup. “Have you seen my white pajamas?” Yvonne asked with direct curiosity.

“Why would I have seen your pajamas?” Linda placed the coffee cup in the drainer.

“Well, because they’re missing. I mean, they’re just gone. And things don’t just go. If you see what I mean.”

“I don’t.” Linda dried her hands on the dish towel.

“Well, I mean my white pajamas that I put each morning beneath my pillow are gone.” Yvonne made a sign with her arms, like an umpire calling it safe. “Gone. And they have to be somewhere, so I thought I’d ask. I mean, maybe the maid took them to wash them or something.”

“The maid did not take your white pajamas.”

Yvonne looked at her for a long moment. “Huh,” she said.

Linda felt fury rising in her, almost uncontrollable. “We do not go stealing things in this house.”

“I was just asking,” Yvonne said.



During the last weekend of the festival a show was mounted in the same room at the former private high school where the welcoming reception had been. On one side were the faculty photographs, and on the other were student photographs. Yvonne stood with Karen-Lucie and Tomasina off to the side, watching people move slowly around the room. “I hate this,” Yvonne said.

Tomasina switched his pocketbook to his other wrist. “Karen-Lucie, do you get used to people staring at your photographs? Look at the way that woman there is tilting her head, she’s wondering. Wondering what the cracked plates in your photos mean.”

Karen-Lucie said, “They mean I’m cracked up.”

Tomasina smiled with deep affection at Karen-Lucie. “You crack me up,” he said.

“Sweetheart, I wanna take you home. You know, that lady’s a rich culture vulture, I can just tell by the back of her head. Shittin’ in high cotton, that girl. Just buy the damn thing.” Karen-Lucie turned away.

“Oh God, she’s the woman whose house I’m in,” said Yvonne. “Oh, let’s go.”

Karen-Lucie said, “Right now, baby doll.”

The sun was very bright and they all three stood for a moment on the wooden porch, squinting. Tomasina reached for his sunglasses. “It’s hot,” he said. “I didn’t know it was so hot outside. I have my nylons on.”

“They look nice,” Yvonne said. “You look nice.”

“Doesn’t he always just look so nice?” Karen-Lucie made a kissing sound in Tomasina’s direction. “Lord, it is hotter than two rabbits screwin’ in a wool sock.”

A man’s voice startled them from behind. “Girls and boys,” it said. It was Jay Peterson-Cornell. He had just stepped through the door they had walked through. “Had enough of your exhibit?” he asked. He held out his hand toward Karen-Lucie. “I’m Jay,” he said, and for a moment the sunlight glinted on his glasses, then his eyes came into view. “A real pleasure to meet you. Love your work.”

“Thank you,” Karen-Lucie said.

“Can I get you girls something cool to drink?”

Karen-Lucie said, “We have an appointment, I’m afraid.”

“I see.” Jay turned in the direction of Yvonne. “We haven’t seen much of you this week. Have you enjoyed yourself in our little town? Or do you find it dull compared to the funky scene of Tucson?”

“I like your little town.” Yvonne felt sweat run down her back.

“Come on, y’all. Nice to meet you, Mr. Jay.” Karen-Lucie moved to the steps, and Yvonne and Tomasina followed. The three of them walked single file through the pathway in the woods that led back toward town, and none of them spoke until they came to a clearing by the church.

“I need a drink,” said Yvonne.

—

In the bar, Tomasina said, “He didn’t even acknowledge me, did you notice?”

“?’Course not, honey,” said Karen-Lucie. “He ain’t gonna acknowledge anyone he can’t do.”

“I don’t know why he makes me feel creepy,” said Yvonne.