Seventeen

  

Go braless. It will pull the wrinkles from your face.

~ Magnet on Attalee Gaines’s refrigerator

  

Mavis whistled as she thumbed through her recipes. She’d brought her plastic box of index cards to the Bottom Dollar Emporium so she could plan the meal she was going to serve Brew on Saturday night. She’d already prepared chicken divan, steaks, and salmon croquettes for him. What about country-style pot roast? She plucked the card from the box. Perfect. She’d make it with her special sour-cream gravy.

Smiling, she recalled how Brew rubbed his belly after every meal she’d prepared for him. “I’ll be lucky to squeeze out of your front door,” he’d say, which was a silly exaggeration since Brew’s midsection was as trim as a teenager’s.

After three official dates at her house, Mavis was beginning to think of herself as part of a couple. Brew would devour her home-cooked meal, and then they’d linger at the supper table over coffee. He’d often talk about his progress with his aunt’s house on Chickasaw Drive.

“Don’t know what I’m going to do with that place once it’s finished,” he’d said on their last date. “Maybe I’ll live in it myself and settle down in Cayboo Creek.” Then he smiled at her in a meaningful way. “Who knows what might happen between now and then?”

Mavis had shivered with delight. She hoped he was implying that she might play a part in his future plans.

Over dessert, they’d discussed the high school reunion. Even though it was short notice, they’d decided on a date in early April. Mavis had secured the high school gymnasium for the evening. Now she was engaged in the arduous task of finding and contacting her far-flung classmates. Though the work was time-consuming, it was also gratifying to share a project with Brew.

Their dates always ended in the same way. Brew would yawn and sneak glances at his watch, muttering something about the early bird catching the worm. Then he’d slowly lumber to the door. Mavis always wished he’d stay longer. The other evening she’d even rented a couple of action movies, but he begged off. She hadn’t pressed the point. She knew he was working hard on his aunt’s house and needed his rest.

The only downside to her budding relationship with Brew was her rift with Birdie. Birdie still hadn’t set foot inside the Bottom Dollar Emporium since their argument, and she was deliberately avoiding Mavis. Yesterday she’d crossed Main Street and ducked into the Book Nook when she saw Mavis walking in her direction.

Most likely, Birdie was eaten up with envy. In a small town like Cayboo Creek, it was impossible to keep anything secret, so Birdie probably knew that Brew was keeping regular company at Mavis’s house. And now she was punishing Mavis for it by ignoring her. Mavis’s old friend had always been something of a poor loser.

Still, Mavis missed her and hoped they could make amends. She suspected it would be up to her to make the first move; Birdie could be as stubborn as a blue-nosed mule.

Mavis heard footsteps behind her. Looking up from her recipe file, she saw Elizabeth coming through the front door carrying Glenda.

“Elizabeth!” she said, scurrying over to greet her. “What a treat! It’s been much too long. And would you look at that dear, little baby. I swear she’s grown since I’ve seen her last.” She held her arms out. “May I?”

“Of course,” Elizabeth said, handing a wriggling, snow-suited Glenda to Mavis. Elizabeth squinted into the back of the store where the soda fountain was located. “Where’s Attalee?”

“Not here yet. Ever since she’s been stepping out with Dooley, she slinks in twenty minutes late every morning.” Mavis pointed to a chair in the break area. “Come on. Take a load off. We’ve got some catching up to do.”

“I’ll do that.” Elizabeth paused by the coffeepot to pour herself a cup. “I’ve got big news.”

Mavis jiggled Glenda on her knee. “You look like you’re bursting with something. Let’s hear it.”

“Yoo-hoo!” Mrs. Tobias called out from the front of the store. “Anybody home?”

“We’re in the break area,” Mavis said. “Join us. You’re just in time for Elizabeth’s announcement.”

“I thought that was your car parked outside,” Mrs. Tobias said, pecking Elizabeth’s cheek. “And there’s my great-grandchild.”

“You’ll have to fight me for her.” Mavis hugged Glenda closer to her chest.

“Five minutes and then it’s my turn.”

Mrs. Tobias unbuttoned her coat, revealing a patterned beaded shawl, flirty flared skirt, and high, shiny black boots.

“Wow,” Elizabeth said. “Aren’t you the fashion plate!”

“Thank you,” said Mrs. Tobias. She tugged on the fringe of her shawl. “It isn’t too young, is it? I don’t want to look silly.”

“It’s up-to-the-minute, but in a very classy way,” Elizabeth said.

“Talbot’s in Augusta was having its winter clearance sale, but then I noticed a Chico’s right next door.” Mrs. Tobias smoothed her skirt with her hand. “I’d never been in that boutique before. I went a little crazy.”

“I’ve been hearing rumors about you,” Elizabeth said with a knowing smile. “Is it true there’s a new beau in your life?”

“Maybe. Maybe not,” Mrs. Tobias said. “Let’s not talk about me. I want to hear your news.”

“I’m going back to work!” Elizabeth exclaimed, jumping about in her seat. “Just part-time, but I’m so excited.”

“Back to work?” Mrs. Tobias sat across from her. “What about Glenda?”

“That’s the best part,” Elizabeth continued. “I found a wonderful, dear woman named Mrs. Pirkle to look after her. Her references were all glowing, and she passed her criminal background check with flying colors. But I knew she would. How could such a motherly looking woman possibly be a criminal?”

“Criminal background check? What’s this?” Mrs. Tobias asked with alarm.

“Timothy insisted on running a check on Mrs. Pirkle. The only mar on her record was a jaywalking rap,” Elizabeth explained. “Even that set him off. He said, ‘Jaywalking implies a certain carelessness on her part.’ I said, ‘I think you’re making a mountain out of a molehill.’ It took a lot of back-and-forth, but I finally wore him down.”

“I know Mrs. Pirkle,” Mavis said. “She comes in the store every once in a while. What a sweetie!”

“Are you and Timothy having financial problems?” Mrs. Tobias reached for her purse on the floor. “If so, I’ll write you a check this instant.”

“No. Everything’s fine. I just want to go back to work.” Elizabeth shrugged. “I miss it.”

“I suppose things are different these days,” Mrs. Tobias said after a moment. “Young people have so many choices. And being cooped up with a child all day can be wearing.”

“So you understand?” Elizabeth asked. “I’ve had a heck of a time convincing Timothy.”

“I do understand, my dear,” Mrs. Tobias said. “And you have to remember Timothy’s background. I’m afraid he seldom saw his parents as a child, so he often felt neglected. But you’re a much more attentive parent, very different from his mother, Daisy. Timothy will come to understand that.”

“I hope so. It’s the only thing we’ve ever disagreed about.”

“Disagreements make for spicy relationships.” Mrs. Tobias winked.

“Speaking of relationships,” Elizabeth began, “I still want to hear about this new beau of yours.”

“Stop the presses!” shouted Attalee. She bounded into the break area, eyes sparkling and a skip in her gait. “Want to know why I’m grinning like a possum with a mouthful of persimmons?”

“Knowing that you and Dooley drove to the drive-in movie in Monetta last night, I’m afraid to ask,” Mavis said.

“Shoot, there wasn’t a whole lot of hanky-panky going on betwixt us. Just kissing and a couple of feel-ups,” Attalee said.

“Enough!” Mrs. Tobias held up her hand.

“Anyhoo, I’ve decided I want to save myself.” Attalee thrust out her hand. “For our wedding night.”

“Oh my gosh.” Elizabeth looked at Attalee’s finger. “You’re engaged!”

“It was so romantic,” Attalee said, wiping a tear from her eye. “After the drive-in, we went to the Chat ‘N’ Chew. Dooley had the cook bury the ring in the meatloaf. I thought I’d bit into a piece of gristle. Imagine my surprise when I spat out a diamond ring on my plate!”

“How quaint,” Mrs. Tobias said, scrutinizing Attalee’s tiny diamond.

“Congratulations.” Mavis hugged her friend’s skinny frame. “When’s the big date?”

“Soon as I can plan a wedding,” Attalee said.

“A wedding?” Mrs. Tobias pursed her lips in disapproval. “Wouldn’t it be simpler to elope?”

“I eloped when I married my late husband Burl and I’ve always dreamed of a fancy wedding.” She touched Mrs. Tobias’s sleeve. “Since you’re such a proper lady and know what’s fitting, I’d like you to help me plan it. There’s a mess of decisions to make. What flavor of Cheez Whiz to spread on the crackers? Should our names on the matchbooks be embossed with silver or gold? What color bridesmaids’ dresses to get?”

“Bridesmaids?” Mavis said.

“That’s right.” Attalee nodded her head. “I want all of you here to be my bridesmaids, and Mavis, I’d like you to be my matron of honor.”

“I’m flattered,” Mavis said. “But Attalee, a big wedding is so expensive.”

“I’ve got me a little nest egg that I inherited when my cousin Cornelia choked on a pork-chop bone six months ago,” Attalee said. “I was planning on using it for a few nips and tucks, but now that I’ve hooked me a fellow, I think I’ll blow it on a wedding instead.”

“This is big news.” Elizabeth grasped Attalee’s wrist. “I’m very happy for you.”

“There is one bug in the ointment,” Attalee said with a frown. “What am I going to do about Birdie? I want her to be one of my bridesmaids, but she and Mavis ain’t speaking.”

“What’s this?” Elizabeth said.

“Nothing.” Mavis adjusted the bow in Glenda’s hair. “Just a little bump in the road. It happens with all friendships if they last long enough. We’ll straighten it out before the wedding.”

“She and Birdie were tussling over the same man,” Attalee explained. “But Mavis won out.”

“Do you have to broadcast everything?” Mavis asked.

“We’re all family here, ain’t we?” Attalee asked in a wounded voice.

“I’m sorry, dear,” Mavis said in a softer tone. “This a very exciting day, and I’m so happy for you.”

Attalee glanced at her watch. “Hell’s bells, it’s late. I best get the soda fountain ready for business.”

“There must be something in the water,” Elizabeth said after Attalee hurried to the stock room. “First Grandma Gracie is seeing a beau, then Attalee gets engaged, and now Mavis has a fellow. By the way, Mavis, I wouldn’t worry too much about Birdie. I drove by her house the other evening, and I saw this handsome man get out of a little red sports car and go inside. Sounds like she’s sought out greener pastures.”

“What night was that?” Mavis asked, knitting her brow.

“It was last night. Why?” Elizabeth said.

“No reason. Just curious.” Mavis got up from her chair and handed Glenda to Mrs. Tobias. “I best get back to work myself. The candy bins need filling.”

“So are you going to tell me about this new fellow of yours?” Elizabeth asked her.

“Not much to tell.” Mavis tore open a bag of Red Hots with her teeth. “He’s just a man. Deep voice. Facial hair. What you’d expect.”

“That doesn’t tell me diddly.” Elizabeth turned to Mrs. Tobias. “How about you? Are you going to be closemouthed about your beau as well?”

Mrs. Tobias glanced at her watch and rose from her chair. “Oh my goodness, I’m late for a hair appointment. Good luck with your job, Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth took Glenda from Mrs. Tobias’s arms.

“Used to be you could get a little gossip around here,” she grumbled. “Now, when there’s finally something to talk about, everyone clams up.”

Mrs. Tobias hugged Elizabeth good-bye. “In good time, my dear. Bye all! See you soon.”

Elizabeth followed her to the front of the store.

“Mavis?” Elizabeth said.

“I don’t want to jinx things,” Mavis said over the rattle of hard candies being poured into a wooden bin. “You’ll be the first to get the dish. I promise.”

“Fair enough.” Elizabeth zipped up Glenda’s snowsuit. “Tell Attalee good-bye for me.”

After Elizabeth left, Mavis stared out the window watching a stray leaf scrape across the expanse of asphalt in the front parking lot. Unless there were two handsome men with little red sports cars in town, Brew had obviously been visiting Birdie.

But why? She’d assumed that she and Brew were established as an item. Was he two-timing her?