Tuesday Tales: From the Word PUSH

November is here and the screwy weather continues. Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. This week’s word prompt is CAREFUL. I’m working on my NaNoWriMo novel A Case of Mistaken Identity.

Heavily pregnant with her third child, Lily Richmond sat behind the reception desk.

“Evie, nice to see you. It’s been ages. Jake’s on the phone, but as soon as he’s off, I’ll let him know you’ve arrived. How are you managing? Is it getting any easier?”

Even after seven years, people still thought of me as a poor widow before they considered me an efficient private eye—of course, this situation didn’t speak to my success at my job.

“I’ve been better,” I muttered, and then felt bad about that.

This wasn’t Lily’s fault. Just about everyone in my social circle knew the unfortunate circumstances of my husband’s accidental death. When I got called to the site where the boats had collided, I’d messaged him, but he hadn’t responded, the call going to voice mail. I hadn’t worried; it had been his day off, and he’d gone fishing with his best friend Luke. Too bad I hadn’t pushed and asked where. I might’ve sent someone else to do the recovery. As it was, I’d pulled four bodies from the river that day, a man whose blood alcohol level had been through the roof, a fifteen year old boy, Luke’s, and my husband’s. I hadn’t worked with the URT since. I’d closed the dive shop, stopped giving lessons, had gone back to my maiden name, and had gotten my PI license. I was doing my best to move on, but it was like some sick waltz … two steps forward and one step back.

Pulling myself together I shrugged. “Sorry, today isn’t my best day. How have you been? You certainly look the picture of health. When’s the baby due?”

Given her size, I expected the answer to be soon.

“Not until early December, and while it’s been a struggle with heartburn, Doc Wilson says I’m doing great.” She laughed. “When I agreed to cover Tricia’s holidays, I didn’t expect to have to use the bathroom every hour on the hour.” The light went off on the phone. “Let me tell Jake you’re here.”

She got up, waddled to the office door, and opened it.

“Jake, Evie’s here.”

“Send her in and hold my calls.”

I stood and hurried toward the door, hoping not to collide with the mother-to-be. Closing the door behind me, I approached the paper covered desk. How Jake could find anything in that mess was a mystery.

“So what’s the bad news?”

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.