Miss Julia Paints the Town Read Online Free Page A

people’re upset,” I said, as I sat down beside her, glad to have someone to talk with. “I am, too, but we don’t know that anything really wrong has happened. Sam says there may be a perfectly reasonable explanation.”
    She glanced up at me through narrowed eyes. “Perfectly reasonable…? How can you say that?”
    â€œWell, he could be sick, or just needing to get away for a while. This could all be the fault of his office help. You know, the mice will play when the cat’s away.”
    She jerked upright and stared at me as if I were crazy. “He doesn’t have office help! Why would he?”
    â€œWell, I don’t know, LuAnne, I just assumed. Anyway, I guess you invested with him…”
    â€œOf course I invested in him. What do you think I’ve been doing for forty-one years!”
    â€œUh, LuAnne, are we talking about the Strouds?”
    â€œHelen?” A shocked look passed over her face. “You think it’s Helen?”
    â€œWell, no. Actually, I think it’s Richard.”
    Shock turned to horror as she gaped at me. “Richard? No, oh, no.” She suddenly leaned over and put her head between her knees. “I’m going to be sick.”
    â€œLet’s get you to the bathroom,” I said, standing and trying to pull her up.
    She resisted me, and finally straightened up. “Quit pulling on me, Julia, I’m all right. But my nerves are shot. Just look.” She held out a trembling hand for me to see, then used it to push back her hair. “This is where faith comes in, Julia, when you need strength to bear up. But it’s such a shock to even consider…what you said.”
    â€œWhat did I say?”
    She waved her hand and turned away. “He said he wanted to get away for a while and think about things. Why would he want to do that? He’s never needed to think about things before.”
    I sat down again. “You’ve been in touch with him? Has Helen? Is she with him?”
    LuAnne sprang to her feet. “It is Helen, isn’t it? How long have you known? Why didn’t you tell me, Julia?”
    â€œTell you what? All I know is what was in the paper.”
    I thought LuAnne was going to keel over. “The paper? It was in the newspaper? How did the state of my marriage become a news item? Who told them?”
    â€œYour marriage? I thought you were talking about Richard and Helen.”
    â€œI didn’t start off talking about them,” she screeched, shaking her finger at me, “but if you know something, you owe it to me to tell me. I can’t believe it’s Helen. I thought she was a friend, a close friend, but if she’s done this…Oh, that sly, deceitful woman! Butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth, while all along they’ve been sneaking around behind my back.”
    â€œWait a minute, LuAnne, I’m lost here. I don’t know a thing about Helen. All I know is that Richard has apparently defrauded his clients and skipped town. That’s what was in the paper. Not a word about Helen or you or your marriage. Now, start at the beginning and tell me what’s wrong.”
    She balled up her fists and stood before me, trembling with the effort to control herself. “You’re sure it’s not Helen? Or Richard? Because if it is, believe you me, I am going to take steps.”
    â€œI’m pretty sure it’s not either one. Now, what’s going on with your marriage?”
    LuAnne sat back down, then she leaned her head against the sofa back and gazed at the ceiling. “I think Leonard’s lost his mind. I truly question his sanity. He’s moved out, Julia, can you believe that? So he can have some space, of all things. What does he need with space, I ask you? I’m the one who needs space, but you don’t see me moving out and breaking up a perfectly good marriage.” Color bloomed on her face and her eyes took on a fiery