"Probably kids setting off firecrackers," Peggy replied. She glanced at her wristwatch. It was exactly nine o'clock.

"It didn't sound like firecrackers to me. Something exploded," he said.

She shrugged her shoulders. "Don't worry, honey. At least we're safe." She washed the coffee cup, then set it on the drainer. "Would you like to watch TV or go to a movie? There's a good mystery playing this week. It doesn't start until ten. We could get a sitter," she asked hopefully.

"Peggy, I'm too tired tonight. Besides I don't like to do things on the spur of the moment. You know that."

"I'm sorry. I just thought that maybe for once in your life you might want to do something spontaneous instead of mapping your life out minute by minute. Next time I'll ask you a month in advance so you can pencil it into your schedule."

Matt laughed at her sarcasm. "I'm sorry, honey." He put an arm around her slim waist. "We'll do something special tomorrow night. I already have it penciled in."

Peggy turned around and nestled her face against his broad chest. The ringing of the phone invaded the privacy of their moment.

"I'll get it," Matt said.

Peggy finished straightening the kitchen, ignoring her husband's phone conversation. She heard him hang up and turned to him. He was ashen-faced, trembling.

"Matt ... what's wrong?" she asked anxiously.

"It's Mom," he choked. "Her house just blew up. That's the explosion we heard. Neal was on the phone. She'd been to his house for dinner and he had just taken her home." He shook his head in disbelief. "Neal left only half an hour ago. He said he didn't notice anything unusual." Matt blinked hard. "I've got to get over there," he said hoarsely.

"No, honey," she said grabbing his arm. "There's nothing you can do."

He stared into her eyes. "My mother has just been killed. Do you understand that?" He took his jacket from the coat rack. "I'll be back when I can."

Peggy hugged him. "I'm so sorry," she whispered. She suppressed the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I'll wait up for you."

He nodded and walked out of the house.

Peggy watched him leave, then walked upstairs and into her daughter's bedroom. She gently caressed her sleeping child's cheek and tucked a blanket around her. Yesterday Amanda Sue celebrated her first birthday. Peggy smiled as she bent and kissed Amanda Sue's warm face. "I love you, baby. Have pleasant dreams," she said softly.

* * * *

Matt, racing to Neal's house on the north side of town, ran both red lights and signs. He was glad there were no cops around to delay him. They were all most likely at his mother's house anyway. He pulled into the driveway and cut the engine, then hurried out of the car and up the walk to the front door where Neal's wife waited for him. Tears streamed down her face.

"Mom's dead, Matt," she cried, throwing herself into his arms.

He stood unsteadily as he tried to support himself and Emily. He felt nauseous and swallowed the vomit rising in his throat. "Where's Neal?"

Emily moved away from him. She nodded towards the door. "In there," she sniffed. "I ... I sent the kids to a neighbor's for the night." She wiped her eyes with a damp tissue. "I don't know what to do for him, Matt. He's fallen apart. It's like he blames himself."

He squeezed her shoulder. "I'll talk to him." He took a deep breath, then grabbed the brass doorknob to balance himself. After a few seconds he walked into the house. Neal sat on the sofa, head in his hands. His hair was rumpled. Matt walked over to his older brother and sat next to him, putting an arm around Neal's husky shoulder.

Neal raised his head. Tears were splashed on his face. "How did something like this happen?" he moaned. "She was just here--" He dramatically threw his hands in the air. "--In this house for dinner." He shook his head.

Matt frowned. "Why didn't she drive over?"

"Her car is in the garage."

"What's wrong with her car?"

"I don't know. She said something about the brakes."

Matt's breath came out slowly. "None of this makes any sense. I'm going to go over to Mom's house."

"There's nothing left, Matt! It's all gone!"

"Well, maybe Jake Birch can give me some information." He looked into his brother's eyes. "It's a shock, Neal."