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she had, Mrs. Simons arrived with Mrs. Wainwright in tow. Relieved, she assisted the elderly lady to her favorite seat on the porch, then went back inside to finish Mrs. Wainwright’s order.
    Mrs. Wainwright paid for her groceries, and surprised her by adding a dozen eggs and a box of baker’s chocolate to the bill. After a brief and wholly entertaining spat of gossip between herself and Mrs. Simons, she and Mrs. Wainwright left. Cally felt more at ease as normalcy returned to the bayou.

    ****

    “She’s not up there,” Ruby grumbled as she stamped up the porch steps and into the store.
    “What?” Cally asked, jerking out of her reverie.
    “Quit brooding and pay attention,” Ruby said. “Althea’s gone. She was supposed to be up in her room and she’s not.” Ruby tapped her foot against the hard planked floor, displaying her inner agitation. “I told her not to leave. She knows we’re supposed to meet the Cathars this afternoon for tea and to discuss the rehearsal dinner.” She scowled as she went to the door and gazed up at the house. Mr. Lindt was sitting on the veranda, in his t-shirt of all things, smoking a Cuban cigar and drinking strong black coffee while reading one of those dreadful dime store novels.
    “Ruby,” Cally began.
    “—And I bought her that tea length pink dress for her to wear. You know the one with all the lace?” Ruby said. Her frown deepened. “She’s supposed to meet Hank today and she’s nowhere to be found.”
    “Maybe she’s gone for a row,” Cally suggested, feeling off kilter because somehow she had managed to lose a substantial part of Ruby’s conversation. She walked out onto the porch and gazed out at the docks. “The raft’s gone. Either she took it or it floated off again.”
    “She’s run off to see that boy no doubt,” Ruby snapped. She gazed up at the house once again. “Why didn’t you keep an eye on her?”
    “I was minding the store, Sister,” Cally replied. “Besides, she ain’t a child anymore.”
    Ruby shot her a glance. “Are you okay? You look peaked.”
    For a second, Cally considered telling Ruby about what happened and decided against it. It was, after all, just my mind playing tricks, she told herself. And it still is, she thought. I’m missing things. Ruby talked for a good five minutes and I don’t think I caught half of it. Cally lowered her eyes, uncomfortable with her sister’s intense gaze.
    “Is the heat getting to you, Sister?” Ruby asked, her tone softer, concerned.
    “I missed lunch that’s all.”
    “Well make a sandwich then,” Ruby said in a cranky offhanded way. “I can’t have you falling out on me, especially not at a time like this.”
    Cally cut a slice of cheese off the large loaf in the counter fridge. She nibbled on it then noticed that it tasted odd, as if it were stale. She picked up the stick and looked it over. It was fresh, as fresh as cheese gets anyway. There was no mold or anything. But the cheese tasted odd...almost off.
    Maybe it’s just me , Cally thought as she put the stick of cheese back into the case. Ruby picked up the broom and began sweeping. Dust puffed up red and dull, only to spread out when the wind from the fans caught it and blew it back onto the floor. If Ruby noticed she didn’t say anything.
    “I wonder if Mr. Lindt saw anything out of the ordinary,” Ruby said.
    “Like what?” Cally said feeling apprehensive. Had she seen the shadow too?
    “Oh, like a girl poling a raft down the bayou.”
    “I wouldn’t worry so much, Sister,” Cally replied as she finished wiping down the counter. “Just call and postpone the danged tea. As jittery as you are, I don’t think you really need to go anyway.”
    “I can’t,” Ruby said, her frustration apparent. She tucked strands of hair that had come loose back up underneath her scarf. “I spent too much money and have already borrowed the Cadillac.” She shook her head. “Doesn’t she realize how important this