“Anthony, you’re raining on my parade. He wants me to meet his parents. Well, not right away but sometime.”

“That’s another bone men throw at you.” Anthony sniffed again. “You can’t trust men. I certainly hope you didn’t respond in kind.”

“Anthonyyyy,” Cady wailed. “Well, we didn’t have sex, if that’s what you mean. I was up for it. He seemed a little nervous.” She threw her hands in the air. “We’re going on a picnic today. I’m going to bring along a blanket. A blanket, Anthony. Can you make some food for us? I’m going to pick him up at ten o’clock. Are you saying I did it all wrong?”

“Dear girl, you did it all just right. He’s panting. When men pant, things happen. Anthony doesn’t know what he’s talking about, does he, Mandy?”

Mandy’s head bobbed up and down. “Anthony is just a man. He knows how his stuff works. He doesn’t have a clue as to how yours works. You did fine, Cady. We have the most delightful, soft, cushiony, wonderful, yellow, fuzzy blanket in the linen closet. It will caress you, hug you to its fibers, and engulf you in warm, cozy feelings.”

“Enough!” Lola shouted. “She doesn’t need any advice. Well, maybe just a little. Whip up something wonderful, Anthony. The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach and not through sex, like everyone believes. No fried chicken and hard-boiled eggs. They give you gas! Fix something delightful, and make it look delicious. A good wine. Crystal glasses, of course. Use that wonderful picnic basket. Linen napkins, to be sure. Be certain they match the picnic cloth. I’ll have some toast and fruit now, Anthony.”

“I think I’ll just meander upstairs and get ready. If you have any more suggestions, make a list, but I think I have it covered. Oh, my God, I forgot to tell you or did I tell you?” Cady dithered. “I remembered something else. I was wearing a yellow shirt that day. They were there, all of them. I even know what color Amy was wearing: pink. Pete had a paper sack in his hand. I remembered. It’s all coming back. I heard them talking, but I couldn’t see anything. I think it was because I was on the zip line and my eyes were squeezed shut. I can’t be sure, though. I’m just happy that I’m remembering. I feel so…so alive! Maybe today I’ll remember the rest of it. We’re going to picnic at the pond. My expectations are running high.” She ran over to her grandmother and hugged her so tightly Lola squealed for mercy.

“Darling girl, I knew it! I just knew it! Go. Remember, scented soap first, then use the matching lotion and body powder, then perfume. Hurry, it’s not good to keep a man waiting. We’ll have everything ready for you when you get back down here.”

Anthony slapped two pieces of toast in front of Lola and handed her a banana. She looked at it in dismay. “Now, what should I concoct to drive Mr. Boomer insane?”