Hideaway Hospital Murders by Robert Burton Robinson Page A

Alzheimer’s. The
doctor said it should help for now. He doesn’t know how long it
will work. So, I’m just gonna try to enjoy whatever time I
have.”
    “ You have a great attitude
about it.”
    “ As long as I can keep
playing the piano, I can be happy.”
    “ Well, just keep working at
it. You’re doing great.”
    “ Thanks, Greg. See you
Thursday night.”
    Greg locked up quickly, hopped into his car
and drove down the alley and onto the street. It was a great night
for driving the big convertible with the top down. The early
evening September air massaged his scalp all the way down Highway
154 to Marshall. There was no concern about messing up his hair,
since he kept it cut short. He only wished he had more of it. His
forehead seemed to get taller by the day.
    When he arrived at Cynthia’s mother’s house
it looked like all the lights were on. He could see stacked boxes
through every window.
    Cynthia greeted him at the front door with a
full body hug and a very sexy kiss. At 34, Greg was far removed
from his teenage years, but since he had met Cynthia he found that
his body could still jump to attention. It reminded him of those
embarrassing high school years, walking down hallways of pretty
girls, hiding unwanted arousals behind textbooks.
    “ Well, hello, Greg,” said
Beverly, who was walking up behind her daughter.
    Cynthia instinctively turned to face her
mother, leaving Greg fully exposed. He quickly moved behind his
girlfriend and put his hands on her shoulders. But not before
Beverly saw what he didn’t want her to see.
    “ Hi, Beverly.” Greg still
wasn’t comfortable using her first name. And his face was turning
red. But Beverly seemed to take it in stride.
    “ Thanks for coming to
help,” said Beverly.
    “ Happy to do it,” said
Greg. “Now where do I start?”
    **********
    By the time Elmo and Carsie got home in
their separate cars, Carnie had closed up the hideaway hospital, as
she had named it, and moved her bed back in place, covering the
secret door. She couldn’t wait tell her sister about it.
    Carsie came downstairs and met Carnie in the
Pub Room as she walked out of her bedroom.
    “ I need a drink,” said
Carsie.
    “ You don’t look so good.
What’s wrong, Sis?”
    They sat down at a table.
    “ The wedding is probably
going to be postponed.”
    “ Why?”
    “ Elmo thinks Mallie Mae has
Alzheimer’s disease. He sent her to a specialist in
Dallas.”
    “ So, that explains the limo
this morning.”
    “ Yeah. They ran a bunch of
tests on her.”
    “ And?”
    “ They’re still waiting on
some of the results, but the doctor believes that it is
Alzheimer’s.”
    “ But we were so close,”
said Carnie.
    “ I know. What do you
mean we ?”
    “ You know, uh, we were so
close to all being family. One big happy family.”
    “ Yeah, that’s true. I’m
sorry. I was just thinking about me.”
    “ That’s okay. You’re the bride.
It’s your wedding.”
    “ But, now I don’t know when
it will happen. Elmo says there’s no cure for
Alzheimer’s.”
    “ So, what’s he gonna do?
Wait until she dies?”
    “ Carnie!”
    “ I’m sorry. I shouldn’t
have said that. But you and Elmo deserve to be happy. Y’all
shouldn’t have to wait indefinitely.”
    Carnie hated to see her sister so sad. But
even more than that, she hated to wait longer for the money.

    Chapter 10

    The Tuesday morning sun on Greg’s face sent
mixed messages to his sleeping brain. The brightness urged him to
wake up. But the warmth whispered ‘dream on.’ Like a mild summer
day on a backyard swing.
    He rolled over in bed to let the golden rays
warm his back. Her sweet scent drew him near to her. He put his arm
around her as he kissed her gently on the neck. She awoke with a
lovely smile and rolled to her back. And even though she had not
yet spoken, he knew what she wanted. As he began to make love to
her, he heard something, but ignored it. In her arms, he could have
ignored a tornado.
    “