Seniorella by Robin L. Rotham

Chapter One
    Grace Hendrick blushed furiously when the doorbell snapped her out of an all-too-familiar daydream at ten to noon.
    “Oh for God’s sake,” she muttered, setting aside her faithful old laptop. It wasn’t like whoever was at the door had caught her masturbating. So she was slightly worked up over her fantasy—few would suspect a woman her age even had such fantasies, much less did something about them.
    Taking off her reading glasses, she stood up and stretched, wincing at the ache between her shoulder blades. If she didn’t get back into an aquaerobics class soon, she was going to petrify like so much aging wood. And if she didn’t finish grading those essays, she was going to be out of a job. Then she wouldn’t be able to afford an aquaerobics class.
    Stepping into her slippers, she tightened the belt of her robe as she headed for the front door, pausing only to straighten the doily on the entry table as she went by. Who in the world would be out in a snowstorm?
    Opening the door just a bit, she peeked out through the crack. The young lady who stood on the porch was certainly dressed for the weather—only her pink-tipped nose, rosy cheeks and pretty blue eyes showed between her sparkly purple cap and scarf.
    “Yes, may I help you?”
    “Happy Valentine’s Day, Grace,” she said, holding up a pink-frosted cupcake with a candle on top. “I have a birthday present for you.”
    Grace’s eyes widened. Although the wind was gusting and snow fell hard enough to obscure the house across the street, the candle’s flame never flickered. Just as she opened her mouth to marvel, it occurred to her that it must be one of those trick candles that had to be put out in water.
    5

    Robin L. Rotham
    “I’m sorry,” she said, opening the door wider. “Do I know you?”
    The young lady laughed. “No, I’m just getting acquainted.”
    “Oh, I heard a young couple had bought the Murray place,” Grace said, stepping back and pulling the door wide. “Won’t you come in for a while?”
    “Thank you, but I can’t stay.” She held out the cupcake. “Would you mind trying a bite before I go? It’s a new recipe and I’d really like to know what you think.”
    Grace smiled as she took it. “It’s so sweet of you to come around in weather like this.” In fact, it was almost unbelievable that any of the neighbors had known or cared enough to tell the newcomer today was her birthday.
    “Don’t forget to make a wish before you blow out the candle.”
    Grace laughed. “My dear, I’m sixty, not six.”
    The girl’s eyes widened. “Oh but you have to!”
    She looked so worried that Grace was immediately contrite. “Well of course, that’s fine,” she said quickly. “What did you say your name was?”
    “I didn’t, but it’s Marina.”
    “How lovely.”
    The girl was still looking at her expectantly, so Grace put her mind to the task at hand. It wasn’t too hard to come up with a wish—she’d been living one in her mind when the doorbell rang. Closing her eyes, she drew a deep breath. I wish I could have one more night with Jared. Then she opened them again, puckered up and blew on the flame.
    Much to her surprise, it went right out.
    Marina clapped her mittened hands enthusiastically. “Oh goody! You’ll get your wish!”
    “From your lips,” Grace said, working to keep the dryness out of her tone.
    “Now tell me, how does it taste?”
    By this time, snow was beginning to accumulate on the rug, but Grace obliged the girl, peeling back the festive Valentine paper and taking a bite of the white cake.
    6

    Seniorella
    “Mmm, coconut. My favorite,” she said, licking a bit of frosting off her upper lip. “It’s wonderful, thank you.”
    “My pleasure.” Tugging off a sparkly mitten, Marina pulled a small white card out of her coat pocket and handed it to Grace. “Sorry to rush off, but I’m late for another engagement. Enjoy your birthday!” She trotted off down the sidewalk and