Was Bubber the first victim of Mrs Drew in the short story
While the story does not explicitly mention anysthing about Bubber not being the first victim, this fact does always intrigue the readers.
We can however say that there are subtle hints in the story that suggest Bubber may not be Mrs. Drew's first victim. These pieces of evidence are woven into the narrative and can be interpreted to indicate that Mrs. Drew has engaged in similar interactions with others before Bubber.
Mrs. Drew's Routine and Familiarity:
1. Mrs. Drew’s Preparation and Anticipation: "You're just in time," she said. "Come on inside, Bernard. You're just in time -- they're just now ready." These words of Mrs. Drew suggest a practiced routine. The readiness of the cookies imply that she has gone through this process before. This level of preparation and the specific timing of the cookies coming out of the oven hint at a well-established pattern of behavior.
2. The Rejuvenation Process: "And as she sat, dozing and listening, something began to happen. The little old lady was beginning to change, her gray wrinkles and lines dimming away." This description of Mrs. Drew's transformation process appears practiced and expected. The way she experiences rejuvenation suggests familiarity with the phenomenon, as if she knows what to anticipate and how to facilitate it. This could imply that she has done this with others before Bubber.
Mrs. Drew’s Reflections on Her Loneliness
1. Her Long-Standing Isolation: "She had been alone so long that she found herself saying strange things and doing strange things. Mrs. Drew reflects on her long-term loneliness and her actions stemming from it. The statement hints at a past instances of seeking out companionship in unusual ways, which could include similar interactions with other children or visitors. This context provides a backdrop suggesting she has tried various methods to alleviate her solitude over the years.
2. Lack of Specific Mention of Previous Visitors: "She saw so few people, only when she went down to the store or the mailman came with her pension check. Or the garbage men." The absence of clear mention of previous visitors or victims can be seen as an attempt by the author to maintain ambiguity. However, the statement about her limited interactions might be a deliberate way to avoid drawing attention to past similar events, thereby hinting at a hidden history.
Thus, while there is no explicit statement in "The Cookie Lady" that Bubber is not Mrs. Drew's first victim, some elements in the story suggest this possibility. Mrs. Drew's practiced routine and her reflections on loneliness suggest a history of similar interactions.