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“Good grief, we’re so much alike. I can’t stand it. Why didn’t we just buy the darn things? We know we wanted them.”

“I don’t know. We saved up for this trip, so why are we penny pinching?” Dimma asked.

“Habit, I guess. There are more shopping trips on the agenda. We may see the handbags at another store.”

“I hope so.”

After that, I thought no more about Gwen and Carolyn’s quarrel.

The Grand Hotel was fabulous looking on the outside. Upon arrival, a greeter came onto the bus and welcomed us to the hotel and Pigeon Forge. She gave us information on the hotel and gave Lemmonee our room keys. Before exiting the bus, she told us we were staying at a hotel that was in an excellent location to get to all the events on our schedule. She gave Lemmonee a stack of business cards and asked that we contact her with questions that surface.

Lemmonee gave the passengers their room key and the hotel business card as we exited the bus. The lobby area was beautifully decorated and clean. Our room was clean and had all the amenities I needed. We had dinner that night at the hotel. The hotel had turned their dining area into an evening of elegance and fine dining. I saw Carolyn and Gwen from across the room, but didn’t get a chance to speak to them.

The dinner was excellent, and so was the entertainment. A collection of singers, dancers, comedians, and magicians entertained us till 10:00 pm.

The next morning at breakfast, I saw Carolyn and Gwen sitting at a table across from Marjorie and Rebbie. Of course, I had no reason to think anything of them not sharing a table at that time. As I look back, it is strange that they did not sit together. There was room at both tables for them to sit together.

Dimma and I sat at a table with other Purples. The breakfast buffet was loaded with delectable Southern food. I had two servings of crunchy potatoes and onion with bacon bits.

Each time I looked over at the tables where Gwen, Carolyn, Marjorie, and Rebbie were sitting, they were engaged in a conversation without any appearance of acknowledging the other couple.

“How about those dancers last night. Weren’t they good?” Jean asked, interrupting my glance at Marjorie, Rebbie, Carolyn, and Gwen.

“Yes, they were. I enjoyed the comedians,” Dimma said.

“Me, too,” I said, “I’ve never laughed so much in my life.”

“They were good. We’ll see them again tonight at the dinner theatre. I wonder if any of the others will be there,” Solardette said as she pulled the schedule from her handbag and began reading it.

“The two magicians were good, too. How they made the lady from the audience disappear is beyond me,” I said.

“Me, too,” Dimma agreed.

“All that stuff they do seem impossible and supernatural to me. Do you think they have people that work for them planted in the audience?” Jean asked.

“I don’t know about that. It’s a possibility, but it sure was entertaining,” I said.

“Only the comedians will be at the dinner theatre tonight. Get your laughing face ready,” Solardette said.

Gam woke me out of my reminiscing when he shook my arm, then said, “Baby, we are here.”

I stared at him.

“Did you hear what I said? We’re here. You’ve been nothing but quiet since you got the news about Gwen. I thought you had dozed off, so I let you rest. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” I said as I looked out the window at my favorite bed, breakfast and dinner lodging.

“You don’t sound fine.”

“I’ll be okay once I get some of Serenity’s food into me.”

“Listen to me,” Gam said, taking hold of both my hands. “It’s not your fault Gwen took her own life. We don’t know why she did it, but you had nothing to do with it.”

“I feel like I did.”

“How is that possible? You were at Duffy’s viewing last night.”

“I don’t mean physically. I mean, I missed something I should have seen. I don’t know what I mean. I just wish I could have saved her, uh, helped her in some way.”

“I do understand how you feel. I feel sorry for anyone who feels taking his or her life is the only way out.”

“Out of what?”

“Who knows? There are a lot of reasons people take their own life. I’ve seen enough of them. Come on, let’s go inside, and if you want to hear about my cases where people have taken their own lives after we have showered and eaten, I’ll tell you.”

“A deal. I want to hear about them.”

CHAPTER 20

The Serenity House is a large and imposing historic three-story Victorian style mansion built in 1873. There are three steep rooflines and two gables on the front of the house. The house’s cream color wood siding has elaborate trim in red. The doors, shutters, and window trims are red as well. My favorite house feature is the large white wraparound porch with red ornament spindles and brackets and strategically placed white rocking chairs. Beautiful flowers and ferns showcase the porch. The lawn is beautifully manicured, and the parking lot is clean and well-lit. Another feature of the house that is a favorite of mine is the seven bedrooms, which are decorated in one of the rainbow colors. I reserved the violet room.

After checking in, we went straight to our room. The usual chocolates, red rose, and red letter thanking us by name for choosing Serenity had been placed strategically in the center of the bed by the owner. This usually excited me that the owner took the time to welcome us in this beautiful way. Not now. Not even the violet room I loved, decorated in Southern charm with a fireplace, a large bath, and a nice size seating area, could elicit any joy from me.

“I’m going to take a quick shower, and then the bathroom will be all yours. I am ready for the five-course meal. What about you?” Gam said