HUES OF A MURDER

Chapter 9: Grass isn't greener on the other side

The Redferns and the Russels went to Iris Gorman's for lunch. Everyone forgot about the horrendous incident and its aftermath for a few hours. Grandma Gorman had prepared a scrumptious lunch, not to mention her famous eclairs and pies. The guys helped set the lunch table amidst Grandma Gorman's beloved vegetable garden. They sat under the oak tree surrounded by beds of various herbs and vegetables. The fragrance of sweet pea flowers got lost in the aroma of spices and herbs wafting through the air. The adults sat together opposite their kids. Cyan sat next to Rose. They chatted about their favourite authors. Rose told him proudly about the novel she was working on. They also compared Maplewood and Blue Cove. Scarlett chirped in their conversation with titbits about their town. The lunch table was momentarily joyous. An outsider might find the merriment an occasion of celebration.

"So, now that we have been fed, thanks to Mrs. Gorman's wonderful cooking, we would like to know about yesterday's events. We did hear it from the police and others, but we would like to hear it from you guys", Rory's stern look brought a sombre tone to the table. Everyone looked at the three – Rose, Scarlett and Cyan. They looked at one another, daring the other to start the story.

Cyan felt tired. All he wanted was to go to bed. He wanted to feel the softness of his pillow and close his eyes. He didn't want to talk about last night. But he figured this drama will likely to continue for the next couple of days or maybe weeks or months. A place like Maplewood, where nothing excited ever happens, would celebrate something like a murder for years. He gritted his teeth. He cleared his throat and looked at everyone. The girls looked at him expectantly. He sighed. In short words, he repeated the fiasco that happened since he went to the party, with Scarlett chiming in occasionally. Rose kept mum.

"I don't understand. Did you have an affair with Rowan, knowing that he was dating Ruby?", Rusty cast an incredulous look at his sister.

"What? No!!!", Rose's eyes were brimmed with unshed tears. She couldn't believe that her brother thought she was that shallow. "I am not that kind of a person", she felt her chest constricting.

"How could you say something like that?", Scarlett seethed. "No one knew Rowan and Ruby were dating. I didn't know. How will Rose know? She isn't a gossip. I might be; but she isn't. And even if they were, does that mean no other girl can talk to Rowan? What nonsense is that?", she bared her teeth at Rusty.

Rusty was taken aback. "I didn't mean that. When a guy like Rowan tries to befriend Rose, she should have suspected something afoul". He had seen Rowan. The guy was a football player, not to mention rich. His father owned the only jewellery shop in their town. He had seen their group hanging out at the Red Lobster. They were loud; always. He loved his sister but he didn't believe a guy like Rowan would go after a shy girl like Rose who spent her waking hours writing nonsensical poems or reading or daydreaming. Guys like Rowan went after popular girls.

Cyan clenched his teeth. He couldn't believe what Rusty said. He had known Rose for a day and he thought she was sweet. Rowan would be lucky to date her. He looked around. The adults looked amused. Scarlett, who was sitting next to Rose, was staring at Rusty with her mouth open. Rose was as shocked as Scarlett was. But Cyan felt that she looked more hurt. She was wrenching her hands. He clasped her hand under the table. She looked at him with alarm in her eyes but he ignored it and gripped her hand tightly.

It took him a second before noticing his grandma's famous apple pie flying across the table towards Rusty. Rusty narrowly avoided it by ducking under the table. "Scarlett", Rory reprimanded his daughter. She casted a haughty look at her papa. "Scarlett, no throwing of foods at the table", Iris admonished her. Cyan found his brothers roaring with laughter. Even Rose's eyes twinkled with amusement. Her parents chuckled.

"What was that about?", Rusty looked incredulously at Scarlett.

"You take back what you said", Scarlett demanded.