“Nothing. You just disappear off the face of the earth for hours and expect me not to worry?”

The light was beginning to dawn. “You had a fuss with Mary Alice, didn’t you?” The elevator door opened and we stepped in.

“No, I did not have a fuss with Mary Alice. Philip Nachman is here.”

“Really?” I felt a surge of excitement. “When did he come?”

“Right after you left. And I tell you, Patricia Anne, that man is too old for Haley.”

I grinned. “They’re making a big to-do over him, aren’t they?”

“Like he hung the moon.”

“Well, just remind yourself he’s an ENT specialist and there is a season, turn, turn, turn for all your allergies. Besides, he’s not too old and you know it.” The elevator opened. “Plus, your daughter loves him.”

“Your hair looks good,” Fred said. “How long does that smell last?”

“You’re pushing your luck.”

Dr. Philip Nachman is the nephew of Philip Nachman, Mary Alice’s second husband, which can get confusing. Consequently, she has started calling him Nephew which has a sort of old-fashioned charm.

“Look, Patricia Anne,” she said as we walked in. “Nephew’s here!”

Nephew was sitting in one of the wicker chairs with a beer in one hand and a plate of goodies in his lap.

“Don’t get up, Nephew,” Mary Alice said, as Philip looked around for a place to put the plate.

“Hello, Philip,” I said.

“Hello, Patricia Anne. Your hair looks pretty.”

“Who did it?” Frances asked from the sofa.

“A woman named Bernice. Where’s Haley?”

“Getting dressed,” Philip said. “We’re going out to dinner.”

“Hmmm. Excuse me a minute.” I knocked on Haley’s door and went in. She was slipping on a navy sundress with white polka dots and she gave me a big grin.

“Where did that come from?” I motioned toward the dress.

“The outlet mall. I got it for my date with Major Bissell.”

I sat on the bed and looked at my watch. “A certain Lieutenant Major Bissell who is due to arrive here in about a half-hour?”

“I called and told him what had happened. I don’t think his heart was broken. Here,” Haley came over to the bed and turned around. “Zip me, Mama.” Her back was young, lovely, and vulnerable.

“What’s with Philip?” I asked.

“Don’t know.” Haley turned and looked at me.

“Don’t settle for anything less than what you want.”

“I won’t, Mama.”

But she would. We all do.

Mary Alice stuck her head in the door. “What’s going on?” Well, maybe there are exceptions.

“I like your hair, Patricia Anne,” she informed me. “Who did it?”

“A woman named Bernice who owns the Curl Up and Dye. She did Millicent’s hair. Told me Millicent was having a fling with a bald man.”

“Who?” Sister came in the room and shut the door.