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and their orchard—one of the oldest in the state.
    â€œYou have a full life, Beatrice,” Annie said after a moment. “You’ve been busy with your new husband.”
    â€œ Oui ,” Jon said and grinned. “Plus, so many other things.”
    â€œBut I read the paper every day and I talk to people every day. I mean, I consider myself well-informed.” Beatrice was indignant. It didn’t make sense. How could something be happening and she not know anything about it?
    â€œAs far as the gangs go,” Annie said, “the police are watching very closely. I guess they are trying to keep things quiet so as not to set off panic.”
    Beatrice thought a moment. “I never thought I’d see the day I’d agree with the police. But a lot of the old-timers around here would welcome a reason to fight off a group of foreigners. Pains me to say it. Just the other day, someone was complaining about the Mexicans and other foreigners taking their jobs.”
    â€œReally?” Annie said. “Was that at the senior center?”
    Beatrice nodded. “Over bingo.” She reached for Jon’s hand. “They completely ignored the fact that a foreigner was sitting right next to me.”

Chapter 15
    DeeAnn held the laptop on a pillow on her knees. She never thought she would like one of these things, but it turned out Karen had been right. She did like it.
    â€œI’ve got a couple digital scrapbooking programs on there for you to play with and I uploaded some of your photos,” Karen said.
    â€œSo thoughtful of you, sweetie.” Upload? Digital? Those words didn’t make a whole lot of sense to DeeAnn. Oh, she knew what they meant, but she didn’t know how to use those words in the context of everyday life. But she didn’t want to let her daughter know that.
    â€œI’ll be back tomorrow to take you to your appointment,” Karen said, getting up from the couch. “I’ll get you some more apps. You can even watch movies on it.”
    â€œMovies?” DeeAnn said. “I might like that.”
    Karen leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Anything you need before I go?”
    DeeAnn looked at the little couch-side table holding a glass of water, tissues, medication, and the books Beatrice had brought over. “I’m fine. Besides, your dad will be home soon.”
    After Karen left, DeeAnn called Sheila.
    â€œHow’s it going?” Sheila asked. “How are you feeling?”
    â€œI need to get up off this couch before I kill someone,” DeeAnn said. And that was the absolute truth.
    â€œWouldn’t that hurt?” Sheila laughed.
    â€œYou’re damn straight it would hurt.” DeeAnn thought about the pain, muted because of the medication she was taking, but it was still there. Maybe she should take another pill? “But listen, Karen brought me a laptop.”
    â€œWow,” Sheila said. “Nice.”
    â€œShe loaded some scrapbooking programs on it,” DeeAnn said. “And I didn’t want her to know how stupid her mother really is.”
    â€œOh, DeeAnn!”
    â€œSeriously? Upload? Download? What the heck?”
    â€œWould you like for me to come over and explain some things? I’m happy to come over.”
    â€œYes, I’d like that. And maybe you can show me how to get the Internet on this thing. I want to read the news. I’m so curious about the Martelino sisters. Know anything new?”
    â€œToday, Annie went to where they lived,” Sheila said. “Evidently, it was not a good situation.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œA man threatened her. And Bryant told her to never go over there alone.”
    â€œOver where?” DeeAnn asked.
    â€œDruid Lane.”
    â€œHumph. That’s what Jacob said too.”
    â€œEvidently, there are gangs over there.”
    â€œThat’s what Jacob said. I don’t know if I believe that. When I get my