Down Home and Deadly

sheepishly extended her hand, with the index finger pointed outward and the others curled in.
    “I’ll have to remember that next time I get in a tight spot.” I grinned. “I just came to pick up some Dear Pru letters.”
    “I thought you came on Tuesdays . ”
    “I had a late date last night, and you know I can’t come during business hours. There wasn’t a car in the parking lot.”
    She motioned to her sweat suit. “Ricky’s on duty tonight , and I was just out for a walk. Thought I’d stop by and catch up on some work.”
    I nodded. “I should’ve called you. Sorry.”
    “That’s okay. Neither of us had a heart attack, so no harm done. Come on in , and let’s get some letters.”
    As we walked down the hall, she said, “Aunt Marge says the Dear Pru column has soared in popularity since you took it over. ”
    “Thanks, I wasn’t sure at first if I could do it , but with Carly’s help, and Mama’s, too, actually, I—”
    Tiffany stopped and frowned. “I didn’t know your m om knew about you being Dear Pru.”
    I laughed as I walked on into the office. “She has no idea. But Mama has given us so much good advice over the years that with almost every Dear Pru letter, I remember a nugget of her wisdom to help me answer.” I pulled a manila envelope stuffed full of letters out of the filing cabinet.
    “Lucky you.” She stepped inside the office. “I guess I was born a rebel. I’ve never been good at taking my mother’s advice.” She laughed. “Just ask her.” She sat down in the chair near the desk. “Although, you may have gathered that from the other day at the diner.”
    “Well . . . ” I wanted to be diplomatic, not my best talent. “I did get the impression she wanted you to spend more time planning your wedding.” I took several letters off the stack and sat down in the chair beside Tiffany.
    “She wants it to be the social event of the season.” She shrugged. “Not me. If it weren’t for Daddy, I’d just elope. What about you? Have you and Alex set a date yet?”
    “We’re planning on right around Christmas.” I glanced down at my engagement ring.
    She raised her eyebrows. “Don’t tell my m other you’re getting married that soon , or she’ll be planning your wedding. Or wait . . . Do tell her , and maybe it’ll get her off my case.”
    “I could probably use a wedding planner.” Although truthfully, I agreed with Tiffany. I didn’t need a big social event to be married. Our wedding would be quiet and simple. But just as legal and romantic as a bigger one.
    “Jenna?” Tiffany’s normally confident voice was hesitant. “I’ve noticed how well you deal with my mother.”
    Shocked, I bit back a protest. Amelia and I dealt as well as a snake and a frog, with me being the frog. I always feared she might swallow me whole.
    Tiffany continued, oblivious to my amazement. “You know, I was always a disappointment to her. She’s so perfect , and I could never live up to that.”
    “Well . . . ” I cleared my throat. “Everyone’s idea of perfection is different. And a child’s perception of her mother sometimes differs from the way others see her.”
    “How did you see your mother?”
    I thought of my mom playing kickball with us when we were little, taking me to the pool, sitting patiently and proudly through endless swim meets, serving as room mother throughout my elementary years, teaching me to pray, admonishing me to pay attention to the preacher. My mom was my cheerleader, my spiritual advis e r, my support. My hero.
    “Well . . . ” I hedged. “My mom’s not your average mom. She’s more like Super Mom.”
    “You know, when I came home on holidays, I’d see you and your sister at church with your folks, and I fantasized about being you.”
    “You’re kidding. Why?”
    She shrugged and looked a little embarrassed. “You got to live at home all time. You weren’t considered a nuisance who had to be sent to boarding school.”
    I shook my head. “I’m sure that’s not why they sent you to boarding school. It’s just that they wanted the very best for you because they loved you so much.”
    “Is that what you think?” She shot me a pitying look, but I thought there was a hint of hope , a s well . “They had an odd way of showing it, didn’t they? Actually, Daddy would’ve let me stay home, but Mother talked him out of it.”
    “Are you sure?”
    She nodded. “Positive. When I was little, it was okay. I wasn’t your typical cute