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“My grandmother used to wear Jean Nate,” Mimi said wistfully. “I really miss her.”
Allie’s pulse tripped on a step, then sputtered. Mimi was right. Every grandmother in the country probably wore Jean Nate at some time or another. Even if the lemon smell was real, and not just some figment of Allie’s imagination, it could mean anything. More than likely one of the protestors had worn the perfume and Allie, being Allie and having that nose of hers, had picked up the scent.
“I hope you don’t mind eating dinner this early,” Mimi said. “I know it’s barely five-thirty but Cameron has soccer practice at seven.”
“No problem. I’m just happy to have a homemade meal. Especially yours.”
“It’s rare that we all sit down to dinner these days as a family. So I aim for whatever time I can get.”
Allie noticed that Mimi barely ate anything herself. Was her sister-in-law watching her weight? Mimi didn’t look like she needed to drop any pounds. Just the opposite. She was thinner than Allie had ever seen her. Still, she looked good tonight. She wore a lime green shift that picked up the blue in her eyes and her shoulder length brown hair was freshly blow dried and straightened. She even had on make-up.
“Pilar told me you helped organize the protest,” Allie said. “So I guess I owe you a big thanks.”
Zeke put down his fork and eyed Mimi.
Oops. Maybe Allie shouldn’t have mentioned that.
“Oh, I didn’t do muc
h. I just initiated the Bunco phone chain. I wanted to make sure the rest of the Babes knew about that letter. If I hadn’t had a PTA meeting this morning, believe me, I would have been there, too.”
“Well, thanks to you the whole town knows now,” Zeke said. He picked up his fork and resumed eating.
“Good,” Mimi said. “The whole town should know what’s going on.”
Allie coughed. “Um, I’m surprised Bruce Bailey didn’t show up this morning. Seeing as how he’s the mayor and all.”
Zeke made a disgusted face. “Bruce Bailey is worthless.”
“I agree,” Mimi said. “As a matter of fact, I’m thinking of running against him in the coming election.”
Everyone except Mimi stopped eating.
“The coming election,” Zeke said slowly. “As in, six months from now?”
“Sure, why not?”
Zeke laughed. “I thought you were serious.”
“I am serious.”
He gave Mimi a long look, then laid down his napkin. “Bruce Bailey might be worthless but he’s vice-president of a bank. He knows just a little bit about how to balance a city budget.”
“And I know just a little bit about how to balance a family budget,” Mimi responded. “They’re probably not that much different.”
Allie stuffed her mouth full of meatloaf. What in holy heck was going on here?
Zeke eyed Cameron’s empty plate. “You done there, champ?”
Cameron nodded, wide-eyed.
“Then finish your homework and get ready for practice. We need to drop you off early.”
“Now?” Cameron whined. “But I want to hear how mom is going to be mayor.”
“Your mom and I have to be in Panama City by seven, so yeah, now,” said Zeke, the hard-ass, in a tone that encouraged no back talk.
Allie almost felt sorry for Cameron, but then, she didn’t. Their own dad had been a total slouch. Zeke might be a strict disciplinarian but he was a good provider and a steady influence. Considering the role model he’d had, it was amazing he’d turned out to be such a good dad.
