A Taste of Lemon with a Twist of Lime

By Beverley Burdick

This pseudo mystery takes place in the town of Hudson, Quebec, population of 5,000, just east of Ontario, circa 2000. It almost all happens in a cozy cove on Lake of Two Mountains, off the Ottawa River, at a time when gas and fuel were relatively inexpensive for all the yachts, sailboats and other watercraft. It was likewise a time when all towns in Quebec had their own police forces, the members of which all the people of the towns knew on a friendly basis. It was, indeed, an ideal time for boat owners and all the watercraft, well over 100, that settled to overnight in the cozy cove every weekend night and almost as often during the week. Smoke would rise from the barbeques that grilled the expensive steaks, hamburgers and hot dogs for the children. The lake was never happier than when the kiddies were frolicking in her. Those were the good old days!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Beverley Burdick
• Release date: Sep 9, 2015
• ISBN: 9781987985368

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A Taste of

Lemon with a

Twist of Lime

by Beverley Burdick, ofs

Table of Contents

DEDICATION

CHAPTER I

GETTING ONTO

CHAPTER II

SURPRISES LURK!

CHAPTER III

A RECKONING

CHAPTER IV

REVENGE REARS ITS HYDRA HEAD

CHAPTER V

EUREKA! AHA!

CHAPTER VI

MORE EUREKAS

CHAPTER VII

EVEN MORE EUREKAS!

CHAPTER VIII

AUSSIE GOES TO WORK

CHAPTER IX

NEWS SPROUTS AS LEAVES TUMBLE

CHAPTER X

OPENINGS ALL AROUND

CHAPTER XI

MONICA WINS ONE

CHAPTER XII

WHAT’S THE STUFF ALL ABOUT?

CHAPTER XIII

MONICA SEES!

CHAPTER XIV

JEFF SEES THE LIGHT

CHAPTER XV

MONICA PLAYS GAMES

CHAPTER XVI

JEFF STARTS TO COME APART AT THE SEAMS

CHAPTER XVII

WHAT’S WITH THE WATER NYMPHS?

CHAPTER XVIII

MONICA UNRAVELS AND REVEALS

CHAPTER XIX

HAIL TO THE CHIEF!

CHAPTER XX

MONICA REAPS, THEN RAINS ON THE PARADE

CHAPTER XXI

MORE TROUBLE BREWS, AND A SURPRISE

CHAPTER XXII

THE INQUEST

CHAPTER XXIII

CELEBRATE DECISION AND LIFE

CHAPTER XXIV

MONICA REIGNS SUPREME

EPILOGUE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

COPYRIGHT

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to my son Christopher John Lockwood with whom I’ve shared many a laugh and a (mis)adventure. Just as he can tell a good story, he enjoys one too.

Inspired by the yachts anchoring side by side to wine and cheez it on Friday evenings on the Lake of Two Mountains in the cove I share with them and all of God’s Creation.

WITH SINCERE GRATITUDE

CHAPTER I

GETTING ONTO

She never knew or suspected it. Monica Sellier had no inkling that Jeff was two-timing her every weekend. From April to November, Jeff left at 5:30 pm sharp to meet Monica Moore, the latter who anchored alongside his yacht. There they trysted until Sunday at 7:00 pm – hot, passionate chemical stuff of the sort that requires six fire departments to snuff out the heat. They trysted, partied and more. Having wife and mistress of the same name spared Jeff the humility of uttering his mistress’s name during a dream. Wife had no clue as to what was going on. Of course, it seemed strange that Jeff fished so much on the weekend and rarely returned with a catch. That was during spring to fall months in Hudson, Quebec. Throughout the winter, Monica wondered how it could be that if Jeff was such an avid skier, he lacked the ruddy complexion of those of the downhill breed. Yet, she let well enough alone, for she cherished her solo private weekends for beauty treatments, facials, spas, manicures and pedicures, her favorite drinking ‘n dining out with friends of whom Jeff disapproved – in short, her quiet but fun times.

Her sailboat banner/flag flew high in the sky as Monica left for the beautician. She admired its vivid colors and promised herself that she would soon take her sailboat out again – a new run, a fresh though déjà vu experience. Monica loved to sail; it relaxed and exhilarated her simultaneously.

(Note to reader: Writing this book has been a cathartic experience for the author. Please note that she had a nasty experience when she was confronted by a group of lesbians where she was completing her Master’s degree in Psychotherapy and Counseling in Chicago. It took her years before she could ever deal with a lesbian. In the end, she had to write a story that featured lesbians so as to grasp and remove the albatross around her neck.)

Off to the salon she went, and there, with a coffee in hand, she inched in on rumors about an M&M, another Monica out trysting with Jeff. The closer she got, the more vivid the details. Oh! The terrible hurt! How could she have been so unaware? She would definitely leave right now, among the whirr of blow dryers and the hissing of aerosol sprays. To her sailboat, Victory, she aimed to go.

Monica’s hairstyle hadn’t been completed. Nevertheless, in great haste, she tipped her confidante too extravagantly and departed in mid coiffure. To Victory, she thought as she left! To truth!

Upon arriving at home, Monica fed her three precious cats, all the birds of nature and her two ferrets. She then changed into her sailing garb, dungarees. Carefully she checked out her Victory, hoisted the anchor, untied the boat, and was off with her treats – on a special mission. Sadly, she was aware that her hairdo remained unfinished, like some symphony of old. Who would ever notice or care out in the winds of Lake of Two Mountains!

Off she