“We have to have a plan,” she said.

“What are you thinking?”

“Unnerve her. Your comfort level with the boys is in the stratosphere. This is her first time meeting them. If she has serious designs on Archie, she’ll be on her best behavior. You’re bringing popcorn. That’s good. Kids love popcorn. I’ll bet you twenty dollars she brings him wine and nothing for the kids.”

“We’ll see. I’m not going to stay for the whole game,” I said.

“Why not? Get in there and fight, Holly!”

“I’m just going to stay long enough to ruin her night,” I said, adding, “I hope. I’ve got to pop the corn.”

“Well, you’ll have to see how it goes,” Leslie said. “In any case, the boys should be the key to Archie’s heart. In my opinion, anyway.”

“Well, if food was the ticket, I would have known it by now,” I said.

“Wow, you aren’t kidding. How many times have you fed them?”

“If I had a nickel for every PB and J sandwich I made for the boys, we’d be having this conversation in an oceanfront mansion!”

I threw a pack of popcorn into the microwave, set the timer, and pressed start. Leslie and I stood there looking at each other, waiting for the popping to start.

“What am I going to do with myself?” Leslie said.

“I think you need to get a lawyer. Charlie might be able to keep his parents’ money, but you’re entitled to something.”

“Yes. I agree with that. I don’t know if I’m ready for battle,” Leslie said.

“That’s what the lawyers are for,” I said.

“Do I smell popcorn?” Momma appeared in her new housedress, the kind you step into and then you zip it up, of which she must’ve had a dozen. “Where are you going, missy, all dolled up?”

“I’m going to the ball with my prince,” I said.

“Is that a fact?”

Leslie said, “She’s going next door to meet Archie’s girlfriend and watch the Lakers clobber Atlanta.”

“Are we now?” Momma said.

“Good luck,” Leslie said.

“Thanks!”

“Wait!” Momma said. “I want some popcorn.”

“It’s for the boys,” I said and took a jar of my honey with pecans from the pantry.

Honestly, I thought.

“Holly, get out of here! I’ll pop another package for the queen.”

“Thanks,” I said, and dropped the honey and the hot popcorn in a plastic grocery bag. “See y’all later.”

“Now that’s a sweet daughter!” Momma said to Leslie.

Leslie rolled her eyes up in her head.