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  “Burton, all’s forgiven. We didn’t call before we came over, so we just caught you at a bad time,” said Roz.

  “Thank goodness. Your friendship means so much to me.”

  “Are you still taking the Caliente?”

  “Of course. Since I’ve been feeling so terrific and looking so terrific, I’ve upped the dosage to three times a day, and honey, am I ever feeling good now! Are you two going to enter the talent show?”

  “To my knowledge, Joanie and I don’t have any talent anyone would want to experience, but thanks for asking. Do us a favor, Burton, cut back on the elixir. You mean a lot to us, as well.”

  “You’re a doll, Roz, but I’m doing fine.” Burton left us and started down the hall toward the office bedroom.

  All the food was on the kitchen island and table. Everyone grabbed a plate and helped themselves to lunch whenever they wanted. The food was outstanding, especially the little appetizer Flo called “Corn Dip.” As I was making my way over to the couch with my plate of food to speak to Ida and McGhee, I saw Virgil going back down the hall with a man I didn’t know. They went into a back bedroom. I could see a desk set up in the room and boxes and boxes of the elixir on a shelf behind it. Virgil had moved his computer from the living room to his new office and was doing a brisk business. Roz was nudging Tutti to see if she was breathing.

  “So what do you think of the Hammonds’ luncheon, girls?” I asked Ida and McGhee.

  “We’re so glad we came. What a nice way for Virgil and Flo to get to know their neighbors, and us, too! We’ve also gotten to know Lois a lot better. Flo is something else! How old do you think she is?” Ida asked.

  “From what we’ve heard, she’s sixty-five and Virgil is sixty-seven,” Roz said.

  “Go on, now! If that stuff he’s selling is keeping them looking that good, I want a bottle.”

  “Do me and Roz a favor. Don’t invest in the Caliente yet. We’re beginning to think taking the elixir isn’t a safe thing to do.”

  “Well, you’re the first person I’ve heard say anything negative about it. Are you sure there aren’t some sour grapes going on here?” Ida asked.

  “If Caliente Honey turns out to be the product Virgil and Flo say it is, I’ll eat my hat!” Roz said.

  “That I’d like to see, because honey, those hats you two wear could make a meal!” laughed McGhee.

  By 3:00 p.m. most people had gone home, and most of them had a bottle of Caliente with them. Ida and McGhee had just gone out the door. Roz stopped as we were saying our good-byes and asked Flo, “How is the Vitamin E working for you, Flo?”

  “Thanks for getting that over to me, Roz. I have seen some improvement.”

  “Have you seen your doctor about the hot flashes? I would think you would have said good-bye to those things a few years ago.”

  Flo reached across me and opened the front door as she gently guided us out onto the deck. She said, “He’s not concerned. They should stop any time now. I’m sure we’ll see you ladies at bingo or the pool. So glad you could come over, bye-bye.” Flo closed her door. I guess she didn’t want to talk about hot flashes anymore. I can’t really blame her.

  “Joanie, I’m sure there are women who have hot flashes into their 60s, but if they do, they should be slowing down by then. I think she needs to see another doctor.”

  Chapter 16

  An Addition to Our Family

  Because Roz and I wanted to go to aerobics class and get some things done around the house, we were up early the next morning. We were having our second cup of tea when someone knocked on our door. I answered it and there stood Ida and McGhee with what looked like a cake.

  “Good morning. Please come in and have a cup of tea with us.”

  “That sounds so nice. We’ll have one cup, but then we have to go. We wanted you two to have this pound cake. It’s our mother’s recipe, and you haven’t lived until you’ve had some of our mama’s pound cake,” Ida said as she put the cake on our table.

  Roz got up to fix a cup of tea for Ida and McGhee while I got out plates for a piece of cake.

  “Come, let’s sit while the water is heating for the tea. I can’t wait to taste this cake. Thanks for bringing it over,” I said.

  “You two have been so nice to us. We just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate how you’ve taken us under your wings since we’ve been here at Rainbow,” McGhee said.

  “Did you enjoy the luncheon yesterday?” asked Roz.

  Ida was slicing four pieces of cake. “Oh, yes. There are some lovely people in this community, but we really need to tell you two something. When McGhee went out this morning to get our morning paper off the front deck, she noticed our clothesline had been torn down, chili pepper lights and all, and left in a heap in the yard.”

  Not only did we have someone stealing bikes, jewelry, and GPS’s in Rainbow, but now Ida and McGhee were being antagonized. Why couldn’t whoever was doing this just knock on their door and explain their concerns over the clothesline instead of sneaking around putting up signs, and now tearing down the whole apparatus!

  “You know what I think? I think it’s time for Herb Bennett to get more involved with this problem. Do you two ladies have time later this morning to go with me and Joanie to pay Herb a visit?” Roz asked as she placed the tea cups in front of us.

  “We hate to cause such a fuss, but we’re starting to feel a little uneasy knowing someone is prowling around our front yard at night.”

  “Roz and I are going to water class this morning. We’ll come by at 11:00 to pick you two up and then try to find Herb. He needs to know the latest about the clothesline.”

  We picked Ida and McGhee up right on time and went straight to the Country Store because we felt that was where we’d find Herb. To our surprise, as the four of us walked into the store, none other than Harry Woodward was at the check-out counter. Perfect timing.

  “Herb, we’re so glad we found you. Things have escalated at Ida and McGhee’s house,” I said.

  Harry was trying to get his purchases gathered and out of the store.

  “Harry, I think you should hear this as well, since you live right across the street from these nice ladies,” said Roz.

  Harry stopped, but you could tell he wanted to leave.

  “What’s happened now, Roz?” asked Herb.

  “Their clothesline with all the lights attached was taken out of its holder and dumped in their front yard last night.”

  “I thought we had this whole problem solved! What else is going to happen here in Rainbow? Well, that does it. I’m going to hire a security guard to patrol Rainbow 24/7. We had another bike stolen last night. If all this gets out, no one will want to vacation with us or live here. All this sordid business has got to stop.”

  “Not to mention the angst it’s causing Ida and McGhee!” I said.

  “Well, that too. I’m sorry, ladies, about all of this. Honestly, Rainbow never has these kinds of problems. Harry, did you see anyone walking around your house last night?”

  “No. I didn’t see anything,” Harry said, and he was out the door.

  “Herb, what do you know about Harry?” I asked.

  “He’s an OK guy, very quiet, never has much to say, and keeps to himself. Why?”

  “Lois, Roz, and I have had some uncomfortable conversations with him. He can be very rude.”

  “Then I would suggest you steer clear of him.” Herb rolled his eyes as if to say ‘mind our own business ladies.’

  It was a comfort to know there would be a security guard in Rainbow at all times. Some of the residents weren’t participating in evening activities because they were afraid to be out after dark. It was not a comfort for Roz and me to know we were the only people concerned about the elixir, and people weren’t being shy about letting us know they didn’t appreciate our meddling. This wasn’t a term yo
u would normally associate with either me or Roz. In fact, we tended to stay out of the way and let things run their course, and if our opinion was needed, give it. But for people to think we are actively snooping around, stirring up gossip was totally out of character for us. We could both see, however, that due to events that had cropped up over the past month or so, we could be viewed as sticking our noses where they didn’t belong. We were so concerned for the welfare of our neighbors and friends, however, that the meddling was going to continue, whether they liked it or not.

  Our days rolled by very pleasantly. By the second week of March, I brought up the topic of dogs. Over a thirty year period of marriage, my husband and I had had only two dogs. Each lived to a ripe old age of fifteen. I swore I would never have another pet after we had to put our last little dog down. Max weighed about fourteen pounds and had a curly black coat except for a blaze of white down his chest. What a terrific pup he had been. The attachment to a pet can be profound and having to put one out of their misery is an agonizing thing to go through. But, the more I thought about it, the more I believed having a dog would be a good thing for me and Roz. She and her husband, Fletcher, had owned several dogs over their married life, so she knew what was involved in the responsibility of having a pet.

  “Roz, I want to ask you something, and be honest with me about how you feel.”

  “Sure, what’s your question?”

  “What do you think about getting a dog”?

  “I haven’t thought much about getting a pet, but I’m not totally against it.”

  “Great, let’s go to the pet store in Key West today to see what’s available.”

  “Whoa…you’re serious about this, aren’t you?”

  “I guess I’ve been thinking about it for a while now, and I think a dog in our lives would be a real treat. We certainly have the time to watch after a pet, not to mention how much our grandkids would love playing with the dog when they visit.”

  “You know the minute I see a dog that “speaks” to me, I’m going to want it.”

  “That’s what I’m counting on.”

  We grabbed our hats and took Lara out for a spin. I remembered seeing a pet store on Roosevelt Street in Key West, so that’s where we went. As we walked up to the store, we could see puppies in one of the windows, and Roz just about bowled me over trying to get into the shop.

  “Joanie, this is such a great idea. Look at these little guys! Is there a particular breed you would like to get?”

  “If they have cock-a-poos, that would be perfect. Sam and I had such good luck with our two. They don’t shed and are easy to train because they’re very smart. Let’s go in and ask.”

  We went into the store and proceeded to the back where the puppy cages were located. I was hopeful that the pets sold in this store weren’t from a puppy mill. I had done some research online and read an article about this particular pet store that raved about their attention to detail and insistence that all their animals come from reputable breeders. A young woman who looked like she was in her teens walked toward us. She had on a tube top and long skirt. Her hair was in dreads and she was covered in tattoos and piercings. She was the perfect image of what Key West represented: freedom to be who you wanted to be. This young woman had a beautiful smile and gorgeous white teeth.

  “Good morning, ladies, how can I help you?”

  “Good morning. My sister and I want to buy a dog. Do you have any cock-a-poos?” I asked.

  “You’re in luck, we have one left from a litter we got in last week. He’s the runt, but he has so much personality. Follow me.”

  “I hope the little guy is more “poo” than “cock,” I said.

  Roz swung around with a look on her face that stopped me in my tracks. “Joanie, you did not just say that.”She was smiling from ear to ear.

  My face turned beet red. “Let me rephrase that, I hope the little guy is more poodle than cocker spaniel.” When I put my foot in my mouth, I do it big time.

  The clerk was just shaking her head and laughing along with Roz. I followed them to the back of the store with my face still blazing. When we got to the last cage, we could see this little black dog with a white blaze running between his eyes and down his chest. He was sitting in the middle of the cage, looking around. He seemed a little lost.

  “Joanie, that’s our dog!”

  “Wait a minute, Roz, how can you be so sure?”

  “I believe in karma. Why is he still here at the same time we decide to get a dog? It’s like he’s sitting there waiting for us!”

  I had to admit, the dog was adorable.

  “Could we hold him?” I asked.

  “Sure thing. Give me a minute while I make sure someone’s in the front of the store helping other customers.”

  “Roz, you realize the minute we hold this puppy, he’s ours, don’t you?”

  “I knew he was ours the minute we walked up to the cage, and I know what his name should be. I think we should call him Max in memory of your little dog.”

  “That would be perfect.”

  The clerk returned and got Max out of his cage. She handed him to me. I immediately cradled him like a baby and turned him onto his back to see if he would let me pet his stomach. Max was a perfect gentleman. He loved having his belly rubbed. I had done this little test on my other two pups before buying them, and they had turned out to be fantastic pets. Because Max allowed me to put him on his back without balking, I knew he was trainable and would allow us to be the pack leaders in the house.

  “Here, Roz, see what you think.”

  I handed Max to Roz and she was in love. I could see we were in for a lot of fun with this little puppy.

  “We’ll take him, plus everything we need to take care of him. If you could recommend a reputable veterinarian and groomer, that would be helpful as well.”

  “We offer all those services right here. Not only do we have a vet on staff, we have a boarding and grooming shop attached to the back of the store. We’re your one stop shopping for pets.”

  Roz held Max in her lap all the way home. Once we unloaded the car, we both took Max to the front yard so he could get grass under his feet to start his house training. While we were out there, we could see Harry messing around in his front yard. It looked like he was putting up another string of some kind of lights. When he saw us, he went into his house. The man did not like to socialize.

  One of the items we had purchased at the pet store was a little bell to attach to a ribbon that would hang by the door we wanted Max to go to when he needed to go outside. I had several friends who had trained their dogs to actually ring the bell when it was potty time. Another thing Roz and I had decided was Max wasn’t going to sleep with either one of us. We had gotten a little bed for him to put in the hallway between our rooms where he could curl up for naps and bedtime. His dog dishes were placed in the kitchen, and his toys were in a basket in the living room. We were ready for Max.

  After no fewer than ten times throughout the day taking Max to the door with the bell, showing him how to ring it, and then going outside, Roz and I were worn to a frazzle. We got everything ready for bed, took Max out one last time, put him in his doggy bed, and shut out the lights. Needless to say, Max wasn’t happy. He was whimpering and crying. Roz and I met in the hallway at one point and just looked at each other. Now what?

  “Now that I recall, neither one of our cock-a-poos would be quiet and sleep by themselves when we first brought them home.”

  “So what should we do?” Roz asked.

  “I’ll put his bed on the floor in my room where I can reach down and pet him when he cries. That should help.”

  We went back to bed and I took Max with me. He never settled down that night. He ended up in my bed, curled by my head. We’d lost some ground on Max’s training.

  Chapter 17

  Man Down

 
Between my personal night time potty needs and Max’s, my nights were looking dismal. I was sure Roz had been awake every time Max and I got up. The pup had me up very early the next morning. Roz came out to the kitchen just as we were coming back inside.

  “You two had a busy night.”

  “I had forgotten how hard it is to train a puppy. We bought that crate for him. I’m going to read up on crate training and we’ll start with that tonight.”

  We set up the crate in the bathroom in the main hallway and locked Max in as we went to bed. The first few nights, he did whine for a little while but Roz came up with the idea of putting a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel in with him. That seemed to work. He got us up a couple times in the night for the first couple of weeks, and had even rung the little bell by the front door once, which sent me and Roz into a clapping, cheering frenzy, and scared Max so badly he piddled on the floor. We continued our training and our activities. Having Max wasn’t going to stop us from our classes and social activities. Since we were never usually gone more than a couple hours at a time, Max didn’t seem to mind the crate at all. In fact, he started going in and out of it to nap during the day and sleep at night. One afternoon after our bridge and beading classes, I told Roz I was going to try Max on his leash and asked if she’d like to come along for the exercise.

  We hooked Max to the leash and started up our street. It took some concentrated effort to keep Max by our sides. He wanted to lunge ahead and pull. When we got to Ida and McGhee’s house, Max decided it was the perfect place to take care of his business.

  Ida and McGhee came out on their deck to speak to us as we were cleaning up after Max. They had already met the pup a couple of times and seemed to enjoy being around him.

  “How’s the training going?” asked Ida.

  “He’s doing great. It just takes repetition and persistence. It’s a war of wills.”

  We saw Harry come out of his house and walk down to his mailbox. He seemed angry and started shaking his fist.