Martha Benson had just put her hair in rollers when she saw the four men run up the stairs towards her son’s bedroom. “Howard Benson, what’s happening?” she asked. He explained everything. Mrs. Benson sighed, “You could’ve at least called to warn me. I don’t want people seeing me in rollers.” “I’m sorry, sweetie,” Howard faulted, ...

Betsy stayed behind to watch the house, while the others got into Howard’s van and headed to the hospital. When they arrived, they asked about Joe Peori. An EMT at the scene told them, “It’s touch and go for now, but he’s being cared for.” The men waited anxiously in the waiting area for five ...

Sawyer, looking flustered, hurried Howard and Jeremy out of the van once they parked. “The police chief called. They found someone else’s fingerprints on The Sea Monkey’s wheel!” he yelled. “Saw, calm down,” Howard said. “How can I be calm? Some slimeball used my precious boat for a heist!” Howard patted his friend’s back and ...

After Howard and Jeremy closed their store for the day, they drove to Love and Locket Jeweler’s, run by Mrs. Johnson. When they entered the shop, they saw her daughter, Wendy, at the counter. “Hello there, can I interest you gentlemen in anniversary gifts?” “We’re actually here to ask you a question,” Howard said. “Jeremy, ...

“Ridiculous! Sawyer wouldn’t steal!” Martha Benson declared. She slammed down a spoonful of mashed potatoes she was serving onto Jeremy’s plate. “We said the same, but this Pickiner guy won’t listen.” Jeremy wiped a glob of potato off his shirt. “Why go through that for a fancy rock? He thinks that wedding rings are an ...

An hour later, all five people were at the police station, talking over one another. “He is a thief!” the thin man exclaimed. “I swear on my life, I’m not!” Sawyer yelled. “Sawyer’s an honest guy; he’d never steal!” Jeremy said. “The evidence says otherwise,” the tall person said. “A gemstone falling out of a ...

The gray morning sky clouds hovered over Nantucket. Howard Benson, a local fishmonger, drove down the street to his family’s shop, Howard and Son. Jeremy was already waiting for him. He and his father caught local fish for the store with help from Sawyer, a family friend who owned a boat. On Tuesdays, it was ...

I spend the rest of my Greek vacation relaxing at the spa and on the beach with my escort. We indulge in massages, hot tubs, saunas, bocce ball, and playing in the ocean’s waves. I feel a tremendous sense of relief. No more bothering thoughts of Miss Jessica, Fizz, or the island. In the end, ...

Andre stands at the dock as we arrive and greets us. “Here are your groceries, Miss Galton. Did you and Tamara have a good time together?” Jessica grins, “Oh, we did! Tamara’s a sweetheart. Fizz likes her too!” Fizz honks in apparent agreement at her side. I smile and remain silent. “Nice meeting you, Tamara. ...

One morning, I looked out my apartment window and saw the wounded flamingo needed my help. The left wing looked injured, and regardless of why, caring for the bird felt like a necessary act of atonement for my past mistakes. For months I read books and articles on how to care for flamingoes and nursed ...