A Body at Bunco Read Free Page B

better.
    “Yes. Glass cleaner. Floor cleaner. Spray polish. Paper towels. The tools of your trade, for heaven’s sake!” She was on the verge of losing her religion over Puddin. Next time, she was going to hide her bleach and ammonia, there was simply no other way around it.
    “I done run out, Miz Myrtle. That last cleanin’ at your house done finished off my supplies.” Puddin conveniently disappeared inside before Myrtle could point out that the cleaning supplies Puddin had depleted during her last visit were originally from Myrtle’s cabinet…before Puddin had gone home with them.
    “Good luck with all that,” said Elaine in a low voice. She picked Jack up and swayed back and forth with him as she frowned at Myrtle. “Are you sure this is okay? I could call everybody and just cancel.”
    Red was walking toward them with a couple of brown grocery bags of food. Elaine called out to him, “Did you get the alcohol?”
    “That’s going to take a separate trip. Or two,” he said pointedly. He swept past them with the bags and muttered to Myrtle, “This is a heavy-drinking group of game-playing ladies.”
    “I have sherry,” said Myrtle to his retreating back.
    “Oh, this event will require a lot more than a half-empty bottle of sherry, Mama,” said Red. “Fortunately, they all live close enough to walk home. I think.”
    Elaine gave Myrtle an apologetic wince. “I’ll be here to help you out tonight. I think Red can handle the plumber and Jack. It should be a really easy night. We just pull the food out, set out the drinks, and we’re ready to go.” She bounced Jack absently and moved to the side as Red walked by to get the alcohol.
    “Don’t we need tables?” asked Myrtle.
    Elaine stared at her blankly.
    “You know…tables. If we’re playing games. Don’t we need tables?” asked Myrtle. Elaine must really be frazzled because she was staring at her as if she were speaking in tongues.
    “Oh! Goodness. Yes, card tables would be good. I’ve got everything else—the dice, the tally sheets, pencils. And five dollars. I think I have five dollars,” mused Elaine. “I wasn’t planning on it since I was originally going to be the hostess and the hostess doesn’t pay in.”
    Myrtle felt as though new revelations about the evening were happening at every turn. “Five dollars? What is this…gambling?”
    “Well, the winners get a little prize. It’s all small bills, you know. Just for fun. The money goes to whoever has the most Buncos, wins, and losses.” Elaine reached over and gave Myrtle a reassuring hug…or, rather, to let Jack give her a hug, since Elaine was still holding him. “You’re frowning, Myrtle. It’s all so easy! So easy. I’ll ask Red to carry over some card tables.” She peered thoughtfully into Myrtle’s living room. “And maybe we should ask him to move your furniture around a wee bit. Just to make sure there’s enough room.”
    Myrtle nodded. “We could fit a lot more people in if the furniture were all against the wall.” Myrtle frowned. “Elaine, I’ve never played Bonkers. You don’t need me to play , do you? Just to host.”
    “No, no. I need you to play. There is some kind of weird virus going around and we’ve got people calling in sick all over the place,” said Elaine, making a face. “And, technically, not that it matters, but it’s called Bunco .”
    “I guess I’ll need to learn the rules real quick,” said Myrtle.
    Red overheard this part as he returned with what looked like a staggering amount of alcohol. He let out a peal of laughter. “No, you won’t. You know how to play bridge don’t you?”
    “Of course.”
    “And you play a mean game of chess,” continued Red.
    “I’ve been told so,” said Myrtle.
    “Then you won’t have a problem in the world with Bunco, believe me, Mama. It’s just throwing dice,” said Red, shifting the bags to make them more comfortable.
    “Like Yahtzee?”
    “Not nearly as academic as Yahtzee.