“So, what's up?" Jim asked when they were settled outside. "Is it VanDyne? I don't think the bastard's right for you, honey.”

Jane laughed. "Uncle Jim, Mel VanDyne and Ihave no relationship at all—not that I'd mind if we did. Just out of curiosity, though, why isn't he right for me?"

“He's too slick."

“And I'm a hayseed?"

“Naw, that's not what I mean. Anyway, I think—well, I think he's younger than you."

“You say that as if it's a dark, dirty secret. He's four years younger than I am. I asked."

“See?"

“That doesn't matter these days, Uncle Jim." "It should."

“You sweet old reactionary. Well, it's not Mel on my mind anyway. It's something I'm writing for Missy's class. We were supposed to write an autobiography, but I didn't want to. So I invented a person to write about, and I can't keep my mind off her.”

Jim looked at her as if she'd lost her mind. "You're sure that's all?”

She took a sip of her beer. "Yes, I think so....”

In the morning Katie and Cecily set off on their shopping expedition. "Operation Desert Shop," Jane called it. They had lists of stores to visit, and had taken a quick inventory of Katie's clothing so that Cecily would know the gaps that needed filling. They planned to start with underwear and finish with shoes, and fit in a lunch somewhere along the line.

Jane glanced at their itinerary. "Mom, Design Delight isn't in the mall. It's—"

“A block to the west in the little strip of shops with the green roof, isn't it?" Cecily said.

“Yes. How do you know that?"

“We went there once," Cecily explained. "I'll get things for the quiche and be home in time to make it.”

Jane saw them off, sorted out a cat tiff, and took a quick tour of the house. For once, there wasn't anything that desperately needed attention. She'd done a thorough cleaning before her mother came, and with the boys gone, the laundry situation was under control. There were hardly enough dirty dishes to justify running the dishwasher, and Katie had not only cleaned her room but, astonishingly, made her bed in honor of her grandmother's visit.