Aint too proud to beg

I bet I know what made you a believer, Bea said, with enough of an edge that Gloria knew a punch line was coming. Casanova the cameraman!

Excuse me? Ginger sat up straighter.

Roxa

Ginger eyed Roxa

That was business, Roxa

It was business for me, too, Ginger said. Lucio is going to take a portrait of me and HeatherLy

Fine, Roxa

Wonderful, Ginger said, draining her drink. Does anyone know if theyre still serving mimosas?

Gloria giggled. Roxa

Not that there was any way to prepare for meeting your beloved, Gloria knew. There was no training for that sort of thing. It happened once in a lifetimeand that was if you were very, very lucky. Or had help.

In a nutshell, thats why she couldnt retire. Not quite yet.

Mrs. Needleman, did you fall asleep? Do you want to go to your room and rest a little before di

Gloria opened both eyes to the vision of Beatrices concerned face. It was a kind face. It was a wise face. It was the face of a smart-ass who couldnt keep her nose out of other peoples affairs.

No wonder Gloria liked her.

Help me up, dear, she said. Bea was so strong she nearly shot-putted Gloria over the porch railing and into the gardens below.

Sorry, Bea said.

No worries. Gloria patted her arm, thinking now was as good a time as any for Beas first lesson. Finesse, Beatrice. The more subtle your intercession, the better. Keep that in mind.

Uh, okay, sure. Bea took Glorias elbow and helped her down the back steps, past the kitchen entrance, and down the walkway to her first-floor guest room.

Once the women made sure Gloria was settled, they told her theyd come by in three hours to take her to di

Yes? Ginger asked, smiling.

It broke Glorias heart that a woman as pretty and good-hearted as Ginger had spent the majority of her adulthood with the wrong man. A real /schnegegi,/ shed heard. It happened more often than anyone dared admit, and, in Glorias opinion, it was one of the greatest of human tragedies.

But in Gingers case, the problem was fixable.

My dear girl, could you stay a moment? Gloria asked in her sweetest old-lady voice. Theres a little something Id like to discuss with you.