I nearly spit out a mouthful of sweet tea, hearing Maddie apologize.

But I would like to hear why youve been so different lately. Its not just the promotion, is it? Maddie asked.

A glance passed between Mama and Marty. Then both of them started shredding their pink Pork Pit napkins.

Marty? I asked. No answer.

Finally, Mama could stand it no longer. Sal knew he was about to lose me, so he took a chance on Marty. He told her how hed been a policeman up north. Then he asked her to convince me that hes a good man, without giving away his secret. Your little sister can be very convincing, girls.

Marty took a tiny sip of tea and gave us her sweetest smile. He said all those years on the job had made him trust his instincts. And his instinct was that he could trust me.

I felt a tiny tug of envy. Why hadnt Sal chosen me? Maybe because I was judging people left and right, and Marty tends to accept them as they are. I guess Ill have to work on that.

Mama motioned the waitress over.

Well have peach cobbler all around. With ice cream. And another banana pudding for the table. When the server left, scribbling in her pig-pink order pad, Mama turned to us. Now, lets talk about something else. Who has news?

Ive got something. Yall remember that New Jersey newcomer I told you about? The one who kept insisting she had a panther?

The one you made fun of? Marty asked me.

The very same. I traced the outline of a cheerful pig on the Pits bottled sauce. Well, damned if she wasnt right. It escaped from a pen at Pocock Ranch. The ranch owner has a license to rehabilitate injured Florida panthers.

Maddie looked over her glasses at me. Did she say, I told you so?

Nah. She was actually pretty gracious. I promised her a freebie on her next trapping call. Shes worried now that an armadillo army is undermining her homes foundation.

The waitress returned with our desserts and a fresh round of napkins. My news is bigger than that, Mama said, loading her fork with cobbler. Mace went on a date with that good-looking Carlos Martinez.

Her revelation set off a seismic mood shift. Both sisters were all smiles and Say whats?

It wasnt a date. We just went to dinner.

Did you wash your hair? Maddie asked.

Yes.

Then it was a date.

Actually, Carlos is going back to Miami.

Their faces fell.

It may not be forever. Hes only taking a leave of absence from the Himmarshee Police. He says he has to face some demons down there before he can get on with his life.

The three of them looked so glum, I thought Id toss them a bone.

Its not like hes moving to California, I said. Miamis only three and a half hours south, you know. In fact, Im going down to visit him next weekend. I plan to try some arroz con pollo and un cafecito Cubano.

Mace! Maddies mouth was tight with disapproval. You may want to experiment, but I really dont think you should talk about your sexual shenanigans in front of Mama.

I laughed at their shocked expressions. All that means is rice with chicken and a short Cuban coffee. Didnt I tell yall? Ive started studying Spanish.

The End.

About the Author.

Like Mace Bauers, Deborah Sharps family roots were set in Florida long before Disney and Miami Vice came to define the state. She does some writing at a getaway overlooking the Kissimmee River in the wilds north of Okeechobee, and some at Starbucks in Fort Lauderdale. As a Florida native and a longtime reporter for USA Today, she knows every burg and back road, including some not found on maps. Heres what she has to say about Himmarshee: Home to cowboys and church suppers, Himmarshee is hot and swarming with mosquitoes. A throwback to the ways of long-ago southern Florida, it bears some resemblance to the present-day ranching town of Okeechobee. The best thing about Mace and Mamas hometown: it will always be threatened, but never spoiled, by suburban sprawl.

end.