Read Online An Uplifting Murder by Elaine Viets - Free Book Online Page B

came into the shop, insulted me like she used to when I went to school with her, and wound up dead in the restroom.”
     
    “That will teach her,” Amelia said.
     
    “This isn’t funny,” Josie said. “I found her body.”
     
    “Sorry.” Amelia looked contrite.
     
    “Alyce and I spent most of the day with the police. I’m free. Alyce was upset, so I took her home for coffee and your marble cake. She said you’re an amazing cook.”
     
    “It was good cake,” Amelia said. She waved to her friend Emma as Josie inched down the school driveway. Her nightmare was that a careless student would dash in front of her car.
     
    “How’s Harry?” Amelia asked.
     
    “Hungry,” Josie said. “But he’s always hungry.”
     
    “I’ll feed him as soon as we get home,” Amelia said.
     
    “And clean his litter box,” Josie said.
     
    “Aw, Mom. Do I have to?”
     
    “Only if you want to keep your cat,” Josie said. “You know the deal.”
     
    Amelia had promised she’d do anything to have a cat. She’d kept that promise for about four weeks. Now she was shirking litter box duty.
     
    “It’s disgusting,” Amelia said.
     
    “Lots of cute creatures are disgusting. I should know. I changed your diapers.”
     
    “But I’ve outgrown that,” Amelia said.
     
    “You’re almost a grown-up. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. It’s time you were fitted for a bra.”
     
    “I figured we’d have this conversation soon,” Amelia said. “I’ve been wearing two undershirts, a blouse, and a sweater to hide the speed bumps.”
     
    Josie let those last words go.
     
    “I know the kind of bra I want. I tore the picture out of a magazine.” Amelia turned around and unzipped a pocket in her backpack. “Here.”
     
    “Honey, let’s wait till we’re at a stoplight. I’m trying to drive. And put your seat belt back on.”
     
    Two miles later, Josie examined the ad for Alexander Wang underwear. To Josie, the gray cotton “athletic inspired” bras and boy shorts looked almost as ugly as her old training bra.
     
    She searched for something positive to say.
     
    Amelia misread her hesitation. “I know seventy-two dollars is a lot to pay for a bra. But you’re good at finding bargains and knockoffs. We could get something that looks like these.”
     
    “Don’t you want something lacy and pretty?” Josie asked.
     
    “Satin and frills are kind of old—”
     
    “Fashioned?” Josie said.
     
    “Lady,” Amelia said.
     
    “Oh,” Josie said. Her sophisticated steel gray bra had been mauled by Detective Yawney. Now it was dissed by her daughter. “You don’t like lace?”
     
    “Maybe when I’m older.” Amelia forced a smile.
     
    She’s trying to make me feel better, Josie thought. That makes me feel worse. I need to remember this isn’t about me. It’s about giving my daughter the bra she wants and needs. First I shied away from getting Amelia something sexy. Now, when she doesn’t want lace, I’m disappointed.
     
    “I’m sure the shop will have something you like,” Josie said. “Let’s go tomorrow after school. Is there anything you want to know about why your body is changing?”
     
    “Is this where I get the sex talk?” Amelia asked. “I already know the basics and the words: ‘penis,’ ‘vagina.’ The guy puts it in, and the girl likes it.”
     
    “When the time is right, when you’re in love, and when you’re married,” Josie added. “Babies need two parents.”
     
    Amelia had been conceived in love, but not in wedlock. Josie regretted the circumstances, but not her daughter.
     
    “And you need protection to prevent the babies,” Amelia said. “I know about birth control and the free pass.”
     
    “What free pass?”
     
    “You can’t get pregnant the first time you have sex,” Amelia said.
     
    “Who told you about the free pass?” Josie asked.
     
    “Zoe,” Amelia said.
     
    “Figures,” Josie said. Zoe was the class’s fount of