Tags:
Humor,
Fiction,
Contemporary,
Mystery,
amateur sleuth,
Murder,
Women,
soft-boiled,
murder mystery,
mystery novels,
Odelia,
plus sized,
Jaffarian
âBut weâre doing fine now, as you can see. Doctors told me I might never walk again, so Iâll happily live with this gimpy leg.â She slapped the thigh of her injured leg.
âOdeliaâs husband is in a wheelchair.â The way Mom said it, I wasnât sure if she was bragging or looking for pity on my behalf.
Heide looked at me with similar confusion. âReally? A car accident?â
I shook my head. âIt was an accident, though. A stupid stunt when he was a kid that almost turned deadly.â
âBut heâs amazing,â Mom added as if writing a review of Gregâs skills for About Town. âNothing stops him from doing what he wants.â
âThatâs true,â I agreed. âMy husband is very athletic and competitive. He can do almost anything a man with working legs can do.â
Heide gave me a lascivious wink. âAnything?â
âAnything,â I assured her with the blush of a schoolgirl.
Mom pushed her paper boat away. Sheâd eaten most of it, which surprised me. She loved to eat, as I did, but didnât have a big appetiteâunlike me. âBefore we go, do you mind if I take a picture of you and the truck for my blog?â
âNo, not at all, Grace,â beamed Heide, regaining her prior cheerful composure. âAnd if you donât mind, could you e-mail me when itâs posted? Youâll find my e-mail on our website. But finish your food first. And donât forget the fried mac and cheese.â
I cut the fried ball open with the side of my fork and popped half into my mouth, where it melted in cheesy goodness.
Mom looked at me with disgust. âDid you just moan?â
I nodded while the last bit dissolved in my mouth. âItâs fantastic,â I gushed to Heide. âMy husband would have an orgasm over these.â
âOdelia!â snapped Mom.
âDonât worry, Grace.â Heide laughed. âItâs not the first time someone has said that.â
I saw the perfect segue and grabbed it. âThat reviewer on About Town was right about your food.â I speared a bite from Momâs abandoned plate. The lobster mac and cheese was incredible, although I preferred the fried sample.
âMom, you want a bite of my meatloaf?â
âJust a small one. Iâm stuffed.â Using her fork, she picked up a mouthful of meatloaf and mashed potatoes from the end of the wrap and guided it into her mouth.
âWhich reviewer was that?â asked Heide. âI know there are a lot, but weâve gotten to know some of them over time.â
âHis name was Bob Y.â I turned to my mother, playing the game she started. âIsnât that right, Mom?â
Her mouth was full, so she simply nodded.
I turned back to Heide. Her face was cloudy again, but I couldnât tell if it was because she was thinking or because she didnât care for the person behind the review.
âHeâs written several great reviews for food trucks, but he absolutely raves about yours. Itâs like heâs addicted to your food.â
âAnd I can see why,â Mom squeaked out after swallowing.
âDo you know him?â I prodded when Heide remained silent.
âCanât place him,â she said, putting her game face back on.
âHe only reviews two things,â I continued. âFood trucks and secondhand stores.â I took a drink of my lemonade. âOdd combination, isnât it? And as much as he loves food trucks, especially yours, he hates secondhand stores.â
Heide held up her hand in surrender. âKids. Go figure.â She got up to go. âIf you donât mind, letâs take that photo now. I need to get back home and take a nap before tonight, and also get in some prep time in the kitchen. These nighttime events are usually jammed with customers.â
âI think Heide knows who Bob Y is.â
We were in the car, travelling on the
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