The Merchant of Menace

might like a little snack after your trip, Mrs. VanDyne. We’re having quite a big dinner later.”
    She expected Mel’s mom to insist on being called Addie, but instead she said, “How thoughtful, Mrs. Jeffry.“ Was there a little emphasis on the “Mrs.“ or did Jane only imagine it?
    Jane asked a few inane questions about Mrs. VanDyne’s flight to which she got pleasant, innocuous replies. Mel tried to help. “Mom, tell Jane about the man with the dog in a carrier,“ he said rather desperately.
    Mrs. VanDyne waved this away. “It wasn’t that interesting, dear.“ She glanced around the room. “What a very nice little house you have, Mrs. Jeffry. I suppose these holiday decorations have some family significance.”
    In other words, they look like shit but must mean something to me, otherwise I wouldn’t let them see the light of day, Jane thought. No, don’t get off on the wrong foot, she warned herself.
    She nodded and turned to Mel. “You mentioned a little problem on the phone?“ she asked meaningfully.
    “My furnace has gone out and it’s pretty arctic in my apartment,“ he said. “Mom had a bout of pneumonia last year and really can’t take the cold...”
    Jane saw what was coming and mentally crossed her fingers that she was wrong.
    “I wondered if maybe she could camp out here with you until it’s fixed,“ he said.
    Jane realized she should have tried serious prayer instead of superstition.
    “Mel, dear,“ Mrs. VanDyne said, “I told you I’d be happy to stay in a hotel.“
    “Morn, you’re always complaining about how much you hate staying in hotels, since you have to do it so much of the time. Jane’s got a guest room and it would only be for one night. I’m sure Jane wouldn’t mind. And it would give you. two a chance to get to know each other better.”
    He was smiling as if this were a great idea they’d both welcome.
    Jane was running through several appealing choices of how to kill him. What nerve, dumping his mother on her without warning and right in front of the woman. And he looked so damned cheerful, as if he really believed what he was saying. And the thing was, he probably did.
    “I’d be glad to have you stay here,“ Jane said, giving Mel an “I’ll Get Even with You If It Takes the Rest of My Life“ look.
    “Oh, I couldn’t impose on you.”
    In that case, why had she let Mel bring her suitcase in, Jane wondered. “It wouldn’t be the slightest imposition... Addie.“ If the woman was going to stay here, she was going to be called by her first name, Jane decided.
    “Well, thank you... Jane. If you’re quite sure?”
    Mel beamed. Jane wanted to smack him. Thank goodness she’d given the guest room, which was hardly more than a good-sized closet and usually full of craft junk, a thorough cleaning. Or maybe not. Addie wouldn’t have been quite so inclined to stay if she’d had to wrestle with measuring tapes, an ironing board, quilting pins, and the sewing machine to get to the bed. And sharing a bathroom with all three kids wasn’t going to be a lot of fun for her either.
    Maybe I’m misjudging her, Jane thought, trying to be both fair and noble. Maybe Mel’s right and we’ll get to be friends by being thrown together this way. Probably not, but anything was possible.
    “Mel, if you want to take Addie and her suitcase upstairs, I need to make a quick phone call and get some things into the oven.”
    As they went up the stairs, Jane raced for the phone and dialed Shelley. “Disaster,“ she said softly when Shelley answered. “Mel’s dumped his mother on me. To stay at my house until his furnace is fixed!“
    “He didn’t!“ Shelley exclaimed.
    “I can’t have her underfoot while I’m throwing this dinner together. Please come divert her for a little while.“
    “Give me five minutes to stuff the hams into the oven and I’ll be there.”
    Jane had just hung up the phone when Mel came into the kitchen. “Mom’s changing her clothes. I’ve got to go back to my apartment and wait for the furnace people,“ he said. “I hope you don’t mind keeping Mom overnight, Janey.“
    “I wouldn’t have minded a private warning,“ Jane said frankly. “I don’t really have much free time to entertain her.“
    “Oh, she won’t need entertaining. She’s really self-sufficient. And she’s a great cook. Maybe she can help you with dinner.“
    “I don’t need help, Mel. I’m a good cook, too.“
    “I know you are.“ He paused,