Grim Pickings

Auntie Alice’s apple-picking event had taken on a decidedly sour note. Kate and her husband, Jeremy, generally enjoyed the Tenders’ annual event. But this season something was gnawing away under the rosy surface like bitter rot.
 
Aunt Alice, the dear old girl, was really getting on—so forgetful. Had she really sprayed the trees with pesticides just before picking? And Betsy, her niece, so artfully coiffed, yet more desperately manipulative than ever. It was obvious that she was itchi…