Previous chapters of the River Road story:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

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Last time, the DeLorcas went to talk with Evelyn Pipkin even though Mr. DeLorca was against the idea. Mr. DeLorca reminded his family that Evelyn had been very unkind to them in Londonderry. Still, they thought it best to welcome this person from their native land. Evelyn turned out to be just as rude as they remembered. She confessed that she had no desire to talk with the DeLorcas and, when asked, admitted that she hadn’t even been invited to the wedding. Unsure as to why Evelyn was there and bothered that she had come uninvited to Sam and Jenny’s wedding, the DeLorcas considered telling Sam Colbert that they Evelyn was “crashing” the wedding. Mr. DeLorca, however, noted that Sam and Jenny seemed so relaxed and happy that it seemed a shame to spoil their good time. What did they do? Here’s what you decided.

Chapter 3: Shutter Bugs
by Joseph Crisalli

“How did it go?” Mrs. Conn asked, catching up with her friends.

“Badly.” Mrs. DeLorca sighed. “She was a little rude. In fact, she basically told us that she wasn’t even invited to the wedding. She’s just…here.”

“Shouldn’t we tell Sam and Jenny that someone has come to their wedding reception without being invited?” Mrs. Conn asked.

Mr. DeLorca glanced across the room at the bride and groom. “I say, but they look so happy and are having such a good time, it would be a shame to spoil it.”

“But,” Eben began, “they’d want to know.”

“Rather a bad idea to crash the wedding of two police officers.” Mrs. DeLorca laughed to herself. “Perhaps we should tell them.”

They watched as Sam Colbert took his new bride’s hand and led her to the dance floor where they would soon take their first dance as husband and wife.

“Now that I think about it, maybe Father’s right.” Eben nodded. “They’re so happy right now. I don’t think we should bother them with this.”

“But, this woman is here uninvited.” Mrs. Conn said. “Still, Sam and Jenny wouldn’t turn anyone away. I’m sure they’d welcome anyone to join the party and enjoy the meal. It’s just that we don’t know what she’s doing or why she’s here. I’m sorry to be so suspicious, but…”

“It’s only natural that you’d be suspicious,” Mrs. DeLorca said gently, “especially considering that you’ve seen strangers do some pretty unusual things when they come to Vista Falls. You’re just trying to look out for your friends.”

“I am.” Mrs. Conn nodded.

“I think we’d best keep an eye on her.” Mrs. DeLorca continued. “If she seems to be up to something, we can stop her. But, for now, Joel’s right, we should just let Sam and Jenny continue to enjoy the party.”

“Very well.” Mrs. Conn agreed.

“We’ll watch her,” Eben said to Mrs. Conn. “You have enough to worry about.”

“It’s no worry.” Mrs. Conn smiled. “I enjoy these big parties.”

“But, you’re responsible for all the food and everything.” Eben nodded.

“I say, speaking of food and everything, that’s what I’m keeping my eye on. Of course, not literally, because it’s rather uncomfortable to get cake in your eye. I should know. You see, I once invented a set of contact lenses made out of chocolate mousse cake. Very uncomfortable, and so on, but also very delicious.” Mr. DeLorca grinned.

“That’s also on your list of inventions that didn’t quite work out. Isn’t it, dear?” Mrs. DeLorca chuckled.

“Yes, but I still make them for small holiday gatherings.” Mr. DeLorca nodded.

“All right, then,” Mrs. Conn took a deep breath, “if you’ll excuse me, I need to make sure there’s enough napkins.”

“Don’t let Evelyn bother you,” Mrs. DeLorca said before Mrs. Conn walked away, “I’m sure she’s not here to cause trouble.”

Once Mrs. Conn left, Eben asked his mother, “How can you be sure?”

“Evelyn Pipkin may be unpleasant, but I don’t remember her ever doing anything destructive.” Mrs. DeLorca answered her son.

“True.” Eben nodded. “Yet, I wouldn’t mind knowing why she’s here.”

“And, I wouldn’t mind a mini-quiche…or five or six.” Mr. DeLorca said absent-mindedly. “I say, but isn’t that a tray of them over there?”

“Where, dear?” Mrs. DeLorca asked.

“Over by that red headed woman.” Mr. DeLorca responded.

“I see.” Mrs. DeLorca said. “Wait. Who is that woman with the red hair?”

Eben’s face turned pale. “I know her.”

“You do?” Mrs. DeLorca asked.

“Yes. She’s Margaret Pipkin. Evelyn’s daughter. Don’t you remember her? She and I went to school together.” Eben sighed.

“I say, she’s not that red-headed girl who used to pick on everyone when you were a child. Is she?” Mr. DeLorca asked.

“Yes.” Eben nodded.

“I remember her.” Mr. DeLorca shuddered. “She used to come by my workshop and purposefully cough on the pies cooling in my window. And, I say, no one wants to eat a cough-pie. Not even me.”

“So they’re both here.” Mrs. DeLorca narrowed her eyes. “But, why?”

“You don’t suppose it has something to do with us?” Eben asked.

“I’m afraid it might.” Mrs. DeLorca answered plainly.

“What might?” a young voice asked from behind them. It was Sarah Cotswold and her friends, Nancy Wu, Isaac Friedman and Kathy Johnson.

“Sarah, it’s rude to interrupt a conversation like that.” Nancy said shyly.

“They know I’m not being rude.” Sarah rolled her eyes. “Don’t you, Mrs. DeLorca?”

“You’re just curious.” Mrs. DeLorca laughed.

“That’s right.” Sarah smiled. “So, what are you all talking about?” She added politely, “If you don’t mind my asking.”

“I don’t mind.” Mrs. DeLorca smiled. Even though Sarah, Nancy, Isaac and Kathy were kids, the DeLorcas, Mrs. Conn, and the other adults never talked down to them.

“We were just talking about two people that are here tonight that we used to know in Londonderry.” Mrs. DeLorca explained.

“Oh?” Sarah asked. “Which two?”

“There’s a woman with dark blonde hair and her daughter who has red hair.” Eben said.

“The photographer?” Nancy asked.

“Photographer?” Mrs. DeLorca said.

“Yes, the woman with red hair was taking lots of pictures earlier. I thought she was the photographer.” Nancy answered.

“She took pictures of Chief Colbert and Officer Littlepoole—oh, I guess she’s Officer Colbert now—in her pretty wedding dress and of the guests and even of us!” Kathy said happily.

“Really?” Eben’s eyes widened.

“She even took pictures of the cake.” Isaac nodded. “I like pictures of cake.”

“So do I, Isaac.” Mr. DeLorca said, his eyes widening with excitement. “I say, but I love pictures of cake. There’s nothing I like to take pictures of more!”

“It’s true,” Eben nodded. “Our family photo albums have more pictures of cakes in them than people.”

“To be fair, there are almost as many pictures of pies.” Mr. DeLorca sniffed. “And, pelicans…”

“I didn’t know Margaret Pipkin was a photographer.” Mrs. DeLorca interrupted.

“Neither did I, but that could explain why they’re here. Maybe Jenny hired them.” Eben suggested.

“No.” Mrs. DeLorca said. “Jenny said Jeff Dinello was taking the official wedding pictures.”

“Excuse me!” Someone said. This time it wasn’t a pleasant interruption like that of Sarah. No, this was an angry introduction.

They all turned around to see Margaret Pipkin glaring at them.

“Are you all taking about me?” Margaret asked furiously. “I saw you looking at me! Do you have a problem?”

What should they say?
“Yes, we want to know why you’re here.”
“No, we were just saying that we knew you in Londonderry.”
“We weren’t talking about you at all.”

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