The House of Seven Mabels

can’t do that to you.“
    “Sure you can. You’re so excited suddenly about your book. That’s what you’re meant to be putting your brains to work on. I can do the decorating myself. Or find someone else who has the skills and interest. But only if Bitsy antes up what I think is fair.“
    Jane knew Shelley wholeheartedly believed what she was saying. But the book had already taken her years and she would hate to disappoint her best friend.

Twenty-eight

    Wednesday morning Jane got a call from Evaline. “Carl and I will be finishing up our work by noon, if not earlier. And I have some good news to tell you and Shelley. I’d like to celebrate. Could you two come to dinner at my apartment?“
    “I’ll have to check with Shelley. But it sounds like a good idea to me. Can you give me a hint about your good news?“
    Evaline laughed. “No. I have to save it for tonight. Would seven be too late?“
    “That’s fine. I can feed my kids at six. I’ll get back to you.“
    Jane caught Shelley just as she was leaving for another fight with the caterer.
    “I’ll either have it sorted out or will be interviewing someone else I’ve heard about long before then. I can make it. Did she tell you what the good news is?“
    “She’s saving it for dinner.“
    “I have got to run. I’ll pick you up at quarter to seven.“
    Jane spent another day at the computer with Priscilla and wished she hadn’t committed to the dinner. She’d rather have continued her work while she was on a roll. But she’d promised Eva-line they’d be there.
    “How’d the meeting with the caterer go?“ Jane asked as she got into Shelley’s minivan.
    “I won. I never really doubted that I would. Where are we going?“
    Jane gave her Evaline’s address, and they arrived just on time.
    The apartment was on the first floor. Evaline greeted them at the door before they even knocked. “I saw you pull up. I’m running the tiniest bit late. I forgot to start the beans on time. Come in.“
    Her apartment was tiny but well-kept. It must have come already furnished, Jane guessed. The pictures on the walls of the living room seemed somewhat generic, not a reflection of what little they knew of Evaline. The furniture was cheap but clean and comfortable. Evaline, dressed in a short khaki skirt and a flowered shirt, asked them what they wanted to drink. “I have iced tea, sodas, or beer. And I even bought Shelley some bottled water and a six-pack of RC Cola for you, Jane.“
    She was back in a moment with their drinks. She sat down beside Shelley on the sofa. “I heard from the patent attorney yesterday. He has a guy in the patent office he’s worked with for a long time,“ she said. “He called him and asked if he could hurry it through and the guy said he would.“
    “That’s wonderful,“ Jane said. “I’m so glad for you.“
    “It gets even better,“ she said with a grin. “The patent attorney has talked to some joint-venture investors and they’re considering funding me.“
    Jane was delighted and put down her drink to give Evaline a congratulatory handshake. But she spilled a bit of it on her hand. “Oops, I’ll have to wash my hand first.“
    On entering the kitchen Jane noticed a pot on the stove that was almost bubbling over and turned the burner off. Then she washed her hands and looked around for a paper towel to dry them. Not seeing any, she opened a drawer to find a dishcloth. The first drawer was full of silverware. The next drawer down held the dishcloths. As she lifted one out, she saw something under it. A little brown leather notebook with a name stamped on it in gold. She picked it up with a fresh dishcloth.
    In the living room, Shelley was asking Evaline when she thought she’d get the patent. Evaline started to reply, but sniffed and said, “Oh, dear. I think the gravy’s burning. I forgot to turn off the stove.“ She hurried to the kitchen and came to a sudden stop when she saw Jane.
    “What are you doing with that?“
    “Oh, Evaline, I’m so sorry. I was just looking for something to dry my hands and found this.“
    “You’re not going to tell anyone, are you?“
    “I have to,“ Jane said.
    Evaline reached for the pot, where the gravy was still boiling-hot. “No, you won’t,“ she said. She grabbed the handle of the pot and made a swinging motion with it, but it slipped out of her hand and hit the floor. Hot, thick brown gravy splashed back on her bare legs, and she screamed.
    As Shelley ran into