"It's not break time," Roxie shouted.
"Sue me," Jim yelled back.
*
Georgia ended up taking only a few items the boutique sent up on Sunday. Some were too old fashioned, some too young, and some positively the wrong color or print. She finally chose a plain, dark blue suit and white blouse for court, and a couple of comfortable dresses. On Monday, she had lunch with the three, fun loving detectives and thoroughly enjoyed hearing about some of their misadventures.
Eventually, the subject of Mathew came up. "So my grandfather was able to keep track of Mathew through the credit card statements?" she asked.
"That's right," Michael answered.
"I've never had a credit card. I have so much to learn."
"You'll pick it up faster than you think. Austin is probably opening an account for you right now."
"Then he will know what I buy and where I go?"
"Possibly," Jackie admitted, "but Georgia, once you have the inheritance, you can open your own accounts."
"I like that idea better. You said you were married once. May I ask you a question - a woman to woman question?"
"Of course."
"Okay, I'm out of here," said Carl.
Michael quickly stood up too. "There's a pool hall down the street."
"Sounds good to me." Before he left, Carl checked something on the only laptop still on the table. "We're good to go."
"Cool," said Michael, opening the door. He followed Carl out and closed the door.
"Well, that's one way to get rid of them," said Jackie.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I…" Georgia started.
"Don't be, I try to get them to leave all the time. Now, what did you want to ask?"
"How did you know you loved your husband…at first, I mean?"
Jackie put her leg under her and sat down on the sofa beside Georgia. "Well, when I was with him, I was happy, but when he was away, I felt miserable."
"You missed him?"
"Desperately and constantly. I miss him still, sometimes."
"I miss Austin too, but I am not sure it is love. We have been talking online for months, and I miss that much more than I thought I would. Unfortunately, things will never be the same again."
"Why not?"
"I tricked him into taking me to the ball."
"Oh. Perhaps with enough time, he'll get over it."
"I hope so…sort of."
"Why sort of?" Jackie asked.
"I have no experience in matters of love. I have never let anyone get close to me before, and I wouldn't want to be mistaken in my feelings for him."
"In that case, you need as much time as he does. You might say the two of you are different people now."