Better Off Without Him by Dee Ernst Page B

of her skin covered in public. Her hair was snow white, cut short and carefully permed. She’d hit seventy-two that winter and, thankfully had not appeared to lose any of her mental agility. She had, however, lost what Brian called the “couth gene”. She said whatever she wanted whenever she felt like it, and often left a room with several open mouths behind. I really do love her.
    But at that moment, with bells ringing and the dog barking and the faint snarl of an impending headache at the base of my skull, I really wanted her gone.
    MarshaMarsha answered the phone, Ben bounded up the stairs, and Patricia grabbed Fred and yanked him back to the den. I stood for a moment in the hallway, taking a few breaths, then went after Aunt Lily.
    I love my living room. It’s long and broad, with tall windows and a beautiful fireplace. All the furniture is what Ethan Allen calls transitional. Comfortable, but not formal. Cushioned without being overstuffed. Elegant but welcoming, in soft taupes and grays and creams. I often just sit here with a book and look around in pleasure. Brian and I had often come here just to talk. It’s a talk-in kind of room. The dog is not allowed on the furniture and there are never any empty soda cans around.
    Aunt Lily was sitting in my favorite chair, still adjusting her clothing, smiling at me. “I did interrupt, didn’t I? I’m sorry, Mona, but, I felt it best to just walk through the door. If I tried to explain what it was I was planning to do, I was afraid we’d argue, because I don’t have a clue what to do next.”
    “I see.” Although I didn’t. “So, you sold the apartment?”
    “Yes. For 1.3 million dollars.”
    “Oh.” That’s the kind of information that could stop any conversation. At the same moment, MarshaMarsha stuck her head in.
    “Your sister-in-law is on the phone,” she said. “Marsha.”
    Good Lord, those tribal drums were quick. “Tell her I’ll call her tomorrow,” I said to MarshaMarsha. I turned back to Aunt Lily. “You were saying, ah, 1.3 million?”
    “Yes. I could have held out for more, but I wanted a quick sale. I’ve become very concerned about the impending arrival of Martians in Prospect Park and wanted to get out of Brooklyn as quickly as possible.”
    That’s also a big conversation stopper. My jaw may have been hanging open. Patricia sailed back in, looking totally unruffled.
    “Lily, we were just finishing up lunch. Can I get you something? The trip must have been horrendous in midday traffic,” Patricia said, looking at Aunt Lily as though Aunt Lily were just any normal person.
    “Patricia, that would be lovely. I am famished. And, truthfully, I’d love one of those famous martinis of yours.”
    Patricia looked modest. “Certainly. We were just discussing another round as you came in. Perfect timing.”
    “Aunt Lily,” I said loudly, “was just saying that she felt the urgent need to leave Brooklyn because of the impending Martian invasion of Prospect Park.”
    Patricia blinked. “Well, then, we’d better get you a double,” she crooned, and swept out. MarshaMarsha, hovering in the hallway, stuck her head back in.
    “Martian invasion?” she asked. I don’t blame her. I mean, honestly, who wouldn’t be curious?
    “Yes. It’s not generally talked about, but those of us on the Park know.” Aunt Lily tightened her lips. “The media, of course, refuses to listen.”
    I didn’t know where to look. Luckily, Ben came in, shaking his head.
     
    She watched as he came towards her, his stride long and purposeful, his dark hair curling beneath the brim of his hat, his broad shoulders pushing aside the crowd. He caught her eye and smiled, and she felt a slow pounding in her veins as he came closer.
     
    “I think there’s a short in the alarm,” he said. “That’s why it went off. It’s hard wired in, you know, so I had to disconnect it at the electrical panel. I’ll call Alex tomorrow and have him take a look, okay?” Alex, I