The Liar

“I guess I can pretend to accept a pretend apology, if it comes.”

“It may take a few days, but it’ll come. The girl knows where her bread’s buttered the thickest. We’re slow in here today. Why don’t you let Maybeline give you a nice pedicure? It’d be nice to have pretty toes for your date with Griffin tonight.”

Crystal and Maybeline, currently the only others in the salon, both slid their gazes toward Shelby.

“I don’t know as he’s going to notice my toes, one way or the other.”

“A man who’s interested in a woman notices everything at the start of it.”

“That’s the truth,” Crystal agreed. “It’s after they’ve got you awhile they wouldn’t notice if you grew an extra set of toes and painted them every color in the rainbow. Especially if there’s a game on the TV and a beer in their hand.”

“We’ve got some really pretty spring colors,” Maybeline put in. “There’s Blues in the Night. It’s just about the color of your eyes. I’ve got three manis this morning, and only one pedi scheduled all day. I’d love to do you one, Shelby.”

“If there’s time, that’d be nice. Thank you, Maybeline.”

“What are you going to wear? On your date with Griff,” Crystal asked.

“I don’t know. Really, I’m mostly going over to see his house. I’ve always loved that old place, and wonder what he’s doing with it.”

“Since he’s fixing you dinner, you should wear something pretty.”

Shelby turned to her grandmother. “He’s fixing me dinner? How do you know that?”

“Because he dropped by to see me Sunday afternoon, and asked, casual-like, if there was something you especially liked to eat, or something you didn’t especially like.”

“I thought he’d just pick something up.” Now she didn’t know whether to be flattered or nervous. “What’s he making?”

“I think that ought to be his surprise. You should wear a pretty dress. Nothing fancy, just pretty. You’ve got good legs, girl. Good long legs. You got them from me.”

“And pretty underthings.”

“Crystal!” Maybeline flushed, and giggled like a girl.

“A woman ought to wear pretty underthings every day anyway, but especially on a date. It’s confidence-building, I think. And it’s always best to be prepared.”

“If I want to get Jackson heated up, all I have to do is put on a black bra and panties.”

“Oh, Granny.” Undone, Shelby buried her face in her hands.

“I wasn’t able to get him heated up, you wouldn’t be here. Seems to me your mama says your daddy favors midnight blue when it comes to lingerie.”

“I’m going in the back to check on things.”

“What things?” Viola wanted to know.

“Anything that doesn’t involve my parents and grandparents getting heated up.”

She moved fast, but still heard the quick female laughter follow her.

•   •   •

SHE HAD TOENAILS painted a deep violet blue, and at Callie’s insistence wore a dress the color of daffodils. And because she couldn’t get it out of her mind, she wore under it a white bra with tiny yellow rosebuds worked into the edging lace, and matching panties.

Not that anyone was going to see them, but maybe they would build confidence.

Once she was dressed, Callie clung to her leg. “I want to go on a date with Griff, too.”

Since she’d expected something along those lines, she had a counteroffer ready. “Why don’t we take Griff on a date, maybe on Sunday afternoon? We could take him on a picnic. We could make fried chicken and lemonade.”

“And cupcakes.”

“Absolutely cupcakes.” She hauled Callie up before she walked out of the bedroom. “Wouldn’t that be fun?”

“Uh-huh. When’s Sunday afternoon?”

“Just a few days away.”

“Don’t you look pretty!” Ada Mae exclaimed. “Doesn’t your mama look pretty, Callie?”

“Uh-huh. She’s going on a date with Griff, and we’re going to take him on a date for a picnic on Sunday afternoon.”

“Why, that sounds like the best time. I don’t know if the bubble maker your granddaddy’s setting up in the backyard’s going to be as much fun as all that.”

“Bubble maker?”

“Why don’t you go out and see?”

“I’m going to make bubbles, Mama. Bye.” She kissed Shelby’s cheek, wiggled down and took off like a rocket, calling for her grandfather.

“I sure appreciate you watching her again, Mama.”

“We love every minute of it. I think your daddy’s as excited about bubbles as she is. You have a good time tonight. You got a condom in your purse?”

“Oh, Mama.”

Ada Mae just pulled one out of her pants pocket. “In case. You put this in your purse, and I’ll have one less thing to worry about.”

“Mama, I’m just going to see his house and have dinner.”

“Things happen, and a smart woman’s prepared when they do. Be a smart woman now, Shelby.”

“Yes, ma’am. I won’t be late.”

“You stay as long as you want.”

With the condom tucked in her purse, Shelby started out. She’d just opened the van door when Forrest pulled up.

“Where are you off to in a yellow dress?”

“I’m just having dinner with Griff.”

“Where?”

She rolled her eyes. “At his house because I want to see it, and I’ll be late if you’re going to give me the third degree.”

“He’ll wait. The sheriff cleared me to let you know. Richard wasn’t Jake Brimley, either.”