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Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Cara Mia Delgatto and the Bye-Bye Birdie, Part 1


Note: We've had so much fun with serialized stories that I'm trying my hand at one again! Here's the first installment of a new adventure for Cara Mia Delgatto and her friends. Enjoy!

Summer was coming to Florida. Daylight now extended nearly to my bedtime. The sea grapes had blossomed, scattering tiny white flowers across the grass. Snowbirds, our visitors from the northern states who flee to the South to escape bad weather, had all gone home. With them went their wallets, forcing me to be more and more creative as I tried to think up ways to keep the cash register at The Treasure Chest ringing. Every day, I spent time on Pinterest and Etsy, hoping to conjure up new ideas for turning trash into treasure.

"Cara, dear? Do you have a minute?" Honora tapped me in the shoulder, forcing me to tear myself away from a Pinterest board featuring cool ideas for Cinco de Mayo.

"Of course," I said, pushing back from my desk. "What's up?"

Honora adjusted her glasses and patted the gray bun of hair resting on her collar. Even though the days had grown warmer, she still dressed formally, favoring seersucker shirtwaist dresses with narrow white patent leather belts. "I have a favor to ask. Rather a large one, I'm afraid."

All sorts of ideas flitted through my mind. Did she need to borrow money? Did her daughter EveLynn need a reference for her soft goods business? Did Honora need a few days vacation? However, my father taught me it's better to stay silent than to plunge ahead and stir up trouble.

So I waited.

Honora slipped into the chair facing my workspace. "I have a friend. A very, very dear old friend. Her name is Helen Berger.  Like me, she's facing the twilight of her life. But sadly, her health is also declining. Recently Helen was diagnosed with inoperable cancer."

I swallowed hard. My own mother had died of breast cancer. The months after the diagnosis had been grim, and the last weeks of her life had been ghastly. "I'm so sorry."

"Yes, well..." Honora reached into her pocket and withdrew a linen handkerchief. Slowly, she rubbed her glasses' lenses clean. "She's moving from her apartment into assisted living. A prelude to hospice, really."

I bit my lip rather than charge ahead. Probably Honora was going to ask if I'd buy up Helen's worldly goods. After all, that's how our shop got started. The old owner, Essie Feldman, bought goods from estate sales. I might be interested, but only if the price and merchandise was right. My mind bounced figures around, thinking of what I could budget, when Honora interrupted with...

"And she has a pet that needs a home."

"A pet?" This wasn't at all what I expected, but it wasn't as unusual as I'd predicted. My friend and co-worker Skye had been teasing me that I was running an animal shelter as well as a haven for misfits and second-hand junk. I didn't mind her jokes. Jack, my rescue Chihuahua is my constant companion, often sitting in my lap while I work at the computer. Luna, the gray cat who was given to me when her owner died, likes to sit in our display window and sun herself. She's pretty aloof except at night when she curls up in the crook behind my knees.

"Yes. A bird. A cockatoo."

I frowned, because I'm not really a bird person. In fact, they sort of terrify me.
 
~ To Be Continued Tomorrow ~

18 comments:

lkleback said...

I love these short stories. Cara Mia and her friends are fascinating.

Anonymous said...

Really enjoying these short stories.
Hope you keep them coming

Kim S said...

Luv these short stories! really adds to the books! Thanks so much for your generosity!!
Hugs!
Kim

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

You are all welcome! I hope you'll tell a friend about the serialized short stories.

Unknown said...

I love the short stories. Great way to "introduce" your writing style to other readers

Anonymous said...

I want more. This is such a tease. Please continue. robeader53@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I love short stories they can tell you a lot about someone's writing style
Thank you

Anonymous said...

This is fun, can't wait for the next installment.

Unknown said...

I love the serialized stories!

WhiteDragon said...

I loved reading this installment of a new adventure for Cara Mia Delgatto and her friends.

GreenMonsta00 said...

I love the Cara Mia serialized short stories. It gives me something fun to look forward every morning.

Barb Hackel said...

I was excited when you announced you were going to do another story. Already I am intrigued to see where you are going with this bird! Having had at one time a Westie and two cockatiels, I can't imagine Cara adding the bird to her mix. I am sure there will be lots more to the story and look forward to my daily dose of Cara!
Thanks Joanna for sharing with us. :)

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Thanks to all of you -- you keep me writing and loving what I do!!

Anonymous said...

Hi Joanna, This is Terrie Allison and I just love your new Cara Mia short story. I can't wait to read part 2 and I posted your info on my Facebook so all of my friends can read it too.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Terrie, that's so kind! Thanks a bundle!

Carmen VB (ScrappinBee) said...

Oh my, a bird. I am imagining all sorts of trouble this bird can and will cause. Can't wait to read more. Carmen

Laura S Reading said...

Thank you for these wonderful stories.

Stephanie said...

Great start! Glad I get to read the next installments right now!