“Yeah, that was before this opportunity popped up,” I said.

“Let me understand where you’re going with this,” Momma said. “It’s either bingo or Vegas?”

“No,” I said. “Listen, didn’t you tell Charlie if he was going to do this, he’d better be the best?”

“Yeah, Momma,” Leslie said. “You did say that.”

Momma fidgeted around in her chair, and I could feel a grumble coming on.

“Yes, uh-huh, you sure did,” Leslie added.

“So, Momma?” I said. “The same goes for you.”

“What do you mean?” she said.

“I mean, you don’t even know what the competition looks like!” I said. “How can he be the best anything if he doesn’t have the best-informed support team?”

“All right,” Momma said. “You’re right. You win. Leslie? You coming with me?”

“Of course!” Leslie said. “Charlie’s flying us out and putting us up. He’s even bought you a portable sewing machine and he’s having a form made.”

“I’m assuming the form will have breasts?” Momma said. “And that he’s doing something about foundation garments that will compensate?”

“I’m sure he is,” Leslie said.

“Good grief,” I said.

“Pack your hearing aids and your swatches!” Leslie said. “Las Vegas, here we come!”

This new aspect of our family life was still something of a challenge for me. But when I thought about it, we’d all come a long way since the cat jumped out of the bag and into the spotlight. Maybe I was too old-fashioned for my own good. But when I thought about Momma in Las Vegas going to these types of shows, impersonators at the top of their game, I wondered just how eye-opening it would be for her. She was about to become a woman of the world. She sure couldn’t wear her sweats with the kittens on them. Momma was going to have to buy a few things for herself, too. And meanwhile, I’d just be here, on the island, keeping bees and mooning over a married man and his crazy-as-hell wife. Or would I?

Chapter 23: Bee Have

“One of the things that amazes me about honey bees is how they all take care of each other. They’re selfless. They feed the queen, they hunt and forage for each other, they take turns guarding the hive. Amazing.”

“They’re like you, Miss Holly,” Tyler said.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Bee Have

It took about a dozen trips to Chico’s and Belk’s for Momma to get some kind of a presentable wardrobe together, which Charlie, bless his heart, paid for. Then Robin Harris at Stella Nova gave her a haircut and highlights that were beyond a transformational experience. I barely recognized my own mother with makeup on.

“Momma! You look like a total babe!” I said.