“Momma!” Leslie said. “You couldn’t possibly have meant for that to sound as mean as it did.”

“What?” Momma said. “What did I say that was so terrible?”

“It’s okay,” I said. “I’m used to it. I think what she means is that they all have Ph.D.s and I’d feel inadequate around them. They’d be talking about some obscure stuff I couldn’t possibly know and I’d be embarrassed with my lowly B.A.”

“Just because someone has a huge amount of knowledge on a particular subject doesn’t mean they’re a genius,” Leslie said. “And for what it’s worth, I think you have as much raw horsepower as anyone I’ve ever met with a Ph.D.”

“Thank you, sister,” I said. “I think.”

“I’m just thinking that why not go get a great haircut, get your makeup done, buy a great dress, and let Archie know what he’s missing.”

“I don’t like to relive the past, but I did precisely that for your wedding, Leslie, and then your lovely father showed up with Lola,” Momma said. “What’s for dinner?”

“Seafood vegetable stew,” I said.

“Put in extra potatoes for me,” Momma said. “Never met a carb that I didn’t like.”

“Okay,” I said.

“But, Momma, you looked so great in all the pictures,” Leslie said. “Holly, it might be fun to get all glammed up. What do you think?”

What did I think? The thought of it made me nervous, that’s what. I felt like makeup and fancy clothes draw attention to you, and I wasn’t comfortable with attention. But how long had it been since I’d dressed up?

“Well, I might do it just for the fun of it, but I wouldn’t be doing it to try and get Archie’s attention on his wedding day. That’s for sure,” I said. “That would be gross.”

“Let me handle it,” Leslie said. “I still have some friends in the beauty business around here and I still have a few friends on King Street.”

“Okay, I’m going out to check on my bees,” I said.

“I want you to look fabulous in Archie’s wedding pictures,” Leslie said, calling after me.

“You’re such a good sister,” I heard Momma say.

Outside, I told my bees what was happening as I gave them some more water. They were buzzing all around me as though they were paying attention. I was excited to have the boys for a week, but I wasn’t excited that this wedding actually appeared to be happening. Then I sheepishly told them about Leslie’s proposed makeover. I decided I might as well go along with her scheme because otherwise she’d nag me to death until I did.