The Trap

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Book: Read The Trap for Free Online
Authors: Joan Lowery Nixon
Ashley said to me in a low voice, “I don’t live here. They won’t want me in their pool.”
    “No one will tell you to leave,” I said. “You’ll be my guest. You’re welcome, Ashley. I want you to come.”
    She gave me a long look, but I noticed that she held her chin higher, and she tried to smile. “You don’t know much about me,” she said.
    “I don’t need to,” I answered. “I’m glad to know someone here my age. We’re going to enjoy the pool together.” I grinned. “And you’re going to meet the Hunk.”
    “I’ve met him already,” she said. “He rents the trailer next to Gran’s. He’s our neighbor.” She paused, then said, “I was there when he moved his stuff in. Some heavy gym equipment and a full-length mirror.”
    We both broke out laughing at the same time. “See you tomorrow,” I said.
    “What was so funny?” Glenda asked as she shut the door behind Millie Lee and Ashley.
    “Girl stuff,” I answered, and giggled again.
    Glenda didn’t ask for details, the way Mom would have. She smiled as she picked up her purse and handed me the car keys. She settled herself into the seat, and as I backed the car out of the drive and headed down the road, she said, “In order for Gabe to recuperate quickly, we’ll have to do our best to keep him from becoming upset about anything. He needs calm and quiet.”
    I gave her a quick look, then turned back to the road. “That means I’m not to say anything about his fall on the stairs?”
    Glenda sighed. “We can count on Gabe continuing to carry on about his fall not being an accident. He’s bound to pester you, Julie. Ignore him. Please.”
    I wasn’t sure how to reply, so I said, “Maybe his fall
wasn’t
an accident.”
    Glenda suddenly gripped my arm. I was so startled I swung over the dividing line on the highway and back. Luckily, no traffic was coming toward us.
    She said quickly, “I needed a relative … a friend … someone I could trust to just be around, to give me a little peace of mind. If there is somethinggoing on around here that shouldn’t be, please don’t stir it up, Julie. Please.”
    “You’re afraid,” I blurted out. “You really don’t think Uncle Gabe’s fall was an accident, do you?”
    She waited a long time before answering. Then she said, “It really doesn’t matter what I think. The doctor said Gabe’s broken ankle will heal properly. He doesn’t expect problems. Gabe’s coming home, so everything will be all right.”
    Unless whoever caused him to fall decides to try again, I thought. I gave her a quick look and knew by the tightness and strain I saw in her face that for now I’d better keep that opinion to myself.
    Later, on the way back from the hospital to Rancho del Oro, Gabe gave us a long, grouchy list of things he didn’t like about the hospital. On occasion, he interrupted himself by reminding me about the speed limit (which I was observing), pointing out a truck that was a good quarter mile away, and worrying in general about the safety of the nation when kids could get driver’s licenses at such an early age.
    It took both of us to get him into the house and safely tucked into one of the comfortable living room chairs, with his feet propped up on a hassock and his crutches at hand.
    Glenda turned to me. “Julie, please entertain your uncle Gabe while I get supper put together.”
    “I’ll help you,” I offered.
    “What are we having?” Gabe asked.
    “Beef stew,” Glenda said.
    “You’ll need help,” I insisted. “I can peel and slice the carrots, potatoes, and onions.”
    She shook her head. “No need,” she said. “It all comes in a package. I just have to take it out of the freezer, put it in a skillet with a half cup of water, and let it simmer for ten minutes.”
    She disappeared into the kitchen, so I sat in a chair next to Gabe. “Ashley and I visited your observatory today,” I told him. “It’s beautiful.”
    He beamed. “Made it myself,” he said,

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