Alyx looked over the table setting, making sure nothing was missing, lit the candles, and greeted everyone as they came in. The dinner––shrimp scampi and rice catered by Angelo’s on the River smelled delicious; the dessert, a bowl of fresh fruit and cannoli, not so much. She added croutons and cubed Feta cheese to the salad of mixed baby greens when her brother, Tom, arrived with his wife, Susan. Tom joined Ethan, who mixed him his drink of choice.
Maggie and George walked in with David Hunter. Alyx was talking to David when Bob arrived. Maggie, wearing a sleeveless, pale yellow, lightweight linen dress answered the door, looking uncomfortable in her role as greeter.
Alyx excused herself and went to her friend’s rescue.
“Hi, Bob; I’m glad you could make it,” and looking around him added, “Is Helen with you?”
“No, she couldn’t make it; she’s allergic to cats.”
Maggie appeared to stifle a laugh when Alyx glared at her. To everyone’s relief, Ethan approached his father and led him to where the bar was set up.
“Maggie, behave yourself. Give him a break,” Alyx pleaded, “Do it for Ethan’s sake.”
“Okay, you’re right; he has tried to redeem himself and who am I to hold a grudge if you and Ethan are willing to forgive him.”
Ethan asked everyone to take a seat around the table and Alyx raised her wine glass for a toast.
“Thank you all for coming to my celebration of all good things and for your help and support during a difficult period in my life and Ethan’s; I don’t know what I would have done without you.” She turned to Ethan, “Do you have anything you want to say?”
“What Mom said goes for me too. Thank you.”
My roommates and I strutted to the kitchen for the shrimp and rice that Alyx had spooned into our bowls before she sat down to dinner, and we had our own celebration.
THE END
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anna Kern didn’t just have an imaginary friend––as a child, she had imaginary friends who stayed with her way past childhood. She made up stories in her head and dreamed of one day having a book published, but it wasn’t until later in life that she wrote her first novel.
She recently retired from a public school system in Florida and moved to St. John’s County to be closer to her son, James. She shares her condominium with her cats Pooky and Misty who keep her amused and amazed. Murfy lives with her son and visits often.
A Paw-sible Theory is her first cozy mystery.
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