“Yeah? How come?” I said and peeled four strips of bacon into my favorite cast-iron skillet.

“Because she’s willing to really dive into this and try to resolve something instead of just running away, although she did have a couple of runaway nights there.”

“Momma!” I said. “I think it would be best to view those few indiscretions another way, like maybe therapeutic?”

“If you say so. Want to bring in the paper? I forgot.”

“Sure,” I said. “I’ll be right back. Watch the bacon for me, okay?”

I went outside and picked up the paper and here came Archie with the boys. Another day was beginning.

“Good morning! Not much school left!”

“Nope!” Tyler called out. “Five more days!”

“Freedom!” Hunter yelled.

“In the car,” Archie said. “How are you, Holly? I haven’t seen much of you lately.”

“You mean since my bees dropped their you-know-what on Sharon’s car?”

“That was unfortunate,” he said. “And of course, it wasn’t your fault.”

“Duh, Archie.” I gave him a smirk. “So, listen. That young man in your back seat is having a b-day soon, if I recall. Is there a party? Can I do the cake?”

Tyler had a huge grin on his face.

“Gonna be eight!”

“I know! That’s so amazing!” I said.

Archie got the funniest look on his face.

“It’s probably best if you discuss that with Sharon,” he said.

I wanted to talk to Sharon like I wanted to have dinner with Satan and all his buddies.

“Well, maybe just ask her to let me know,” I said. “Y’all have a great day!”

I turned and walked over to our house and climbed the steps without looking back. So that’s how it was now? Sharon was the go-to person? I told myself if I didn’t hear from her in a few days, I’d go over and see what the story was.

“What kept you so long?” Momma said. “Your bacon is done.”

I told her about our exchange. She shook her head.

“Will you pour me some more coffee, please?” she said. “Sharon is the worst.”

I refilled her cup and said, “This is news?”

Leslie walked into the kitchen, took a mug, and filled it.

“G’morning! What’s going on?” she said.

We told her the story and she rolled her eyes somewhere up in her head.

“Oh, God. It’s always going to be something with that beast,” she said. “And she’s cut off Archie’s cojones. He’s going to go along with whatever she wants.”

I thought it was funny that Momma used to be the beast. Now Sharon was. But why was Archie letting Sharon call the shots?

“It’s a shame,” Momma said. “Such a shame. Do you think you might share your bacon, Holly?”

“Sure,” I said and gave her half of what I’d fried. “You want toast?”

“I think I would,” Momma said. “Thank you.”