Page 83 of Too Old for This

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The first venue Morgan and I look at is an old house now rented out for parties, weddings, and retreats. It’s big and grand, with arched doorways, high ceilings, and a lot of land around it.

The second venue is a more traditional reception hall, with less character but plenty of room. Because of the short time frame, she and Archie have decided everything will take place in the same location. Ceremony first, then the reception.

In my mind, the only option is the house. More expensive, yes, but the garden and patio are so perfect.

Morgan wants to stop for lunch and review the pros and cons of both places. I am patient with her, because she is hoping this is her one and only wedding and the marriage will last forever.

After going through all the details three times, she concludes the house is the better venue. It only took a little nudging from me.

“Expensive but worth it,” she says.

“Agreed.”

“Do you want to come with me to the caterer this afternoon?” she asks.

“I wish I could, but I’ve got a meeting at the church about some upcoming events. We have quite a robust schedule at First Covenant.”

“Sounds like it,” she says. “And I’ve booked at a hotel downtown for tonight, so I’ll be out of your way.”

“You haven’t been in the way. It was just a surprise.”

She flicks her hand. Morgan’s nails are a neutral color and match her lips. “It’s okay. You don’t have to say that.”

“Say what?”

“I know I’m in the way,” she says. “In general, I mean. And I know what everyone thinks about me. It’s not just you and Stephanie. It’s Archie’s friends. His kids, too. Olive and Noah aren’t my biggest fans.” She chuckles in that rueful way. “Nobody believes that Archie and I didn’t start seeing each other until after he left Stephanie. So I’m already used to people not wanting me around.”

“Morgan…”

“No, it’s okay. But, just so you know, I really do love your son.”

I have a flashback that goes back decades, when people stopped wanting to be around me because I was a single, pregnant woman. I chose that and accepted the consequences. When people pointed and whispered—yes, they really did—I told myself to ignore them.

That’s what you have to do when you are wrongly judged. It just doesn’t workallthe time.

Morgan is doing the same thing, trying to ignore the whispers and glares. I respect her more now than I did a few minutes ago. I know exactly how she feels.

“I’m sorry. I never meant to make you feel unwanted,” I say.

“Thank you. I appreciate that.”

We part ways in the parking lot of the restaurant. After she’s gone, I put on Norma’s jacket and my hat and go to the Harmony Hotel. So many things to remember. That’s the real trick. It’s not hard, but it does take discipline. I should’ve had more of it when I killed Kelsie. That’s something I think about every day.

Room 322 has already been cleaned. I mess up the bed and towels, order a pot of coffee from room service, and check Norma’s phone. The first person I text is Tammy.

Norma:Not sure when I’ll make it back. Can you cover on Friday?

She is supposed to check out tomorrow. I want to throw in a little confusion about where she goes next, but I haven’t figured out how to end this game yet. I need some time in between when she was at my house and when her electronic trail disappears.

I open her social media, something I hadn’t thought about until I saw Morgan posting when we looked at the wedding venues. I take a picture from the hotel room window. The view overlooks downtown Baycliff, vague enough to be meaningless.

Where is my baby????

#IsThisReallyHappening #GoingInCircles

Right after I post it, a text message pops up on the screen. The name makes my heart stop.