“I’m here to get y’all’s tired asses in gear. Me and Harry decided that we’re going to the lake with everyone. We’re supposed to meet the Harrisons at the lake marina at twelve thirty. They’re providin’ a fried chicken dinner, and I’m starvin’. Graham and Alice both asked about you this mornin’ at church, and the twins looked like they’d been drug through a knothole backwards. Y’all plumb wore them out yesterday. That video with Lyle and the spilled drink was so funny, I almost peed my underpants. Tabby showed it to me while we were passing the plate.”

“We thought maybe we’d stay in this afternoon,” Jody said.

“The hell you will,” Fanny Lou said loudly. “After what them girls did for y’all yesterday and with no money changin’ hands, you’re goin’ to all three get your asses up them stairs and come down here lookin’ bright eyed and bushy tailed. It would disappoint them kids, and I ain’t havin’ it.”

They all looked at each other, but no one moved.

Fanny Lou raised her voice another notch. “If I got to tell you again, it ain’t goin’ to be pleasant.”

Mitzi grabbed her Diet Coke and carried it with her. “I’ll be down in fifteen minutes. No need to put on makeup since I’ll just sweat it off.” She turned around at the door and asked, “Did you bring sunblock, Granny?”

“Plenty enough to go around.” Fanny Lou nodded. “Don’t any of us need to get skin cancer. Now get a rush on it. Harry is on the way, and we’re all going in the van.”

Mitzi hurried up the stairs with Paula and Jody right behind her. “Sorry I got y’all into this.”

“Fanny Lou is right. It would be downright rude to beg off after the girls helped out so much,” Paula said.

“And God knows I owe Tabby for what she did,” Jody agreed. “I like to float around in a pontoon boat. Maybe I’ll catch a nap while you flirt with Graham.”

“Oh, hush!” Mitzi grumbled. “I’m not in the mood for jokes or flirting.”

“Not even one little kiss?” Paula asked. “You can’t tell me you’d turn that down.”

Mitzi made it to her room before the other two, grabbed a pillow from her bed, and hurled it toward Paula. It landed just short of the door that Paula slammed shut. Paula peeked back out and stuck her tongue out at Mitzi.