A week had passed since the sinking of Holly Lindsey, as she liked to call it. Not that she shared what happened in the laundry room with anyone, just that Blake had sunk her in the Bauer pool. Ed called regularly, but luckily for Holly she seemed to always miss it. Unfortunately for her, when he called that morning, she was home and picked up.

"Hello lovely" he said cheerfully.

"Ed, I'm sorry but while you have caught me it's really a bad time. I'm meeting a friend for lunch today."

"Oh" She could hear the disappointment in his voice. "I was hoping that you'd allow Michelle and I to take you to lunch.'

Holly scoffed. "Right, like dinner last week. Let me guess, if I said yes, she would have been called into an important test at school and we'd be dining alone. No thank you"

"Look, I've already apologized for that and more"

"You don't have to, Ed, but I'm still not meeting you for lunch. I have to go"

Hours later Holly walked into the Country Club and went to the podium. "Hello Charles, I'm here to meet Gilly Grant." She said with a broad smile.

"Oh Miss Lindsey, I am sorry but Miss Grant called. She is unable to keep your lunch date."

Holly's smile fell and became a scowl. "Well, no sense in crying about it. Could I have a table on the patio?"

"Of course, ma'am, right this way"

As Holly was escorted to her table she was walked through the bar where she spied Roger in conference with none other than Blake. Her gate slowed, but she didn't stop as she locked eyes with each of them as she walked by. Roger gave a two-finger wave and a weak smile while Blake looked down at the table. Holly shook her head and followed Charles out the door.

"Thank you" She said to him as she took her seat.

"You're quite welcome" He said. "Might I get you something to drink?"

Holly sighed. "I should say iced tea, but how about a glass of wine? White please."

Charles nodded "Yes ma'am, right away."

Holly picked up the menu, though she had it practically memorized and started to look it over. When she observed movement from the corner of her eye, she assumed it was her wine. She laid the menu down.

"Hello, Holly. You're looking well" It was Roger.

"What do you want?" She glared at him, and quickly picked up her menu again.

"I was hoping that you'd allow Blake and I to join you." He suggested.

"I'd rather lace my wine with arsenic."

"I can't come up with that rapidly, but I have been known to carry a cyanide pill with me if you'd like"

Holly stood. "I think I've lost my appetite. If Charles comes with my wine, can you tell him to just put it on my monthly dues?"

Striding back the way she came Holly came across Ed and Michelle sitting in the main dining room. Michelle who had been looking rather dower began smiling happily. "Holly, hi! Are you joining us for lunch after all?"

Holly looked over her shoulder and spied Roger and Blake standing in the doorway staring at her. Plastering a smile on her face, Holly hugged a surprised Ed, and then went and planted a kiss on Michelle's temple. "I can't stay for all of lunch, but I will sit for a few minutes" Holly said, glancing Roger's way.

"Oh, come on Holly, you've got to eat" Ed said.

"Come on Holly, please" Michelle begged.

It was then that Charles brought Holly's wine. "Oh, Charles, thank you. I hate to be a bother, but could I change this to tea please"

Charles noted Ed and nodded. "Of course. I will alter your server that you have an extra guest and we will get your drink order."

As Holly engaged Michelle in conversation Blake sauntered over. "Well, would you look at this cozy picture. I'd say it reminds me of our family lunches like this, but I'd be lying if I did"

Ed stood and pecked Blake on the cheek, whispering before he released her. "Not here, and not in front of my daughter" He then shot her a look. "Blake, would you care to join us? We have room for one more."

"No thank you Ed, I was hoping Mother would have lunch with Daddy and Me, but I can see where her priorities are"

Ed re-took his seat. "It was nice seeing you again, Blake"

Blake rolled her eyes and her head. "Mother, may I speak to you for a moment? In private?"

Finally acknowledging her "The last time we tried that I ended up in eight feet of water, and unfortunately this dress is dry clean only."

Ed choked on his drink and began coughing violently. "Dad?" Michelle asked, smacking his back with her small hand.

"I'm OK sweetie" He coughed again. "If you'll excuse me." He stood and left the dining room.

Blake took his seat. "When are you going to stop punishing me mother?"

Holly looked at Michelle who had obviously spent much time around adult conversations for she pulled out a set of headphones and began listening to music, blocking it out. Holly smiled at the girl before turning back to Blake.

"Perhaps when you stop acting like I owe you something, Blake" Holly realized her volume had increased. She looked around but none of the other patrons seemed to notice. "I was a terrible mother, I know this, but you continue to punish me for every mistake I ever made. My latest being keeping Alan Michael from making a second one with you"

Blake crossed her arms over her chest and looked at her mother defiantly. "That wasn't your choice to make, mother"

Holly leaned in. "No, it wasn't, it was Alan Michael's and he made it. You're just mad because he didn't make the one you wanted. So, your answer to this wasn't to move out of my house, or to borrow and wreck my car, or to over flow the bath tub causing major damage to my house. No, instead you go after my fiancé. That's unforgivable Blake."

"Would it help if I said I'm sorry?" Blake asked, almost convincingly.

"It would be a start, Blake." Holly said.

Ed returned then. "If you two would like some privacy we can take this lunch elsewhere" he said pointing to an oblivious Michelle.

Holly smiled. "No, Blake was just leaving."

Michelle pulled off her headphones. "You're not leaving are you, Holly?"

Holly pat her hand "No honey, I"m not. Blake is."

Blake stood. "I'm sorry to have interrupted. Mother, I hear you. Perhaps we could have dinner later this week and talk?"

Holly looked down at the table. She didn't confirm acceptance but did say "Call me"

The remainder of lunch was easy. Holly and Michelle talked about school while Ed watched the pair with delight. When the last bite was eaten Holly stood "Well, I suppose I should be going."

Ed stood and Michelle balked. "Why don't you come home with us Holly? I could use your help picking out a dress for graduation."

"Graduation? What on Earth?" She cautiously looked at Ed who shrugged.

"I'm graduating the fifth grade. I move on to middle school next year"

"Ah, I see, and you need to dress the part. I don't have anything else planned. Would you like to drive over with me or your dad?"

At the Bauer house Holly helped Michelle raid her closet until they found the perfect dress. Everything prior was "too babyish" per Michelle. Holly drew the line at coming back to do her make up, but did agree to attend the ceremony. When the phone rang Michelle ran to it.

"Hello"

Holly tried not to eaves drop, but she couldn't help hearing Michelle's side of the conversation.

"I'd have to ask my dad, but if you're Mom takes us and picks us up, I don't think he would say no."

She twisted the cord around her finger and grinned.

"Ben's coming too? We should ask Carrie then too so it's not weird" Michelle shot a glance at Holly who looked away in the nick of time.

"Ok, hang on."

Holly could hear Michelle yell to Ed from the hall and then come back into her room. She hopped on her bed and waited for Ed appear.

"I've been summoned. I guess this means the dress has been chosen?"

"Dad, Bill's on the phone."

"Oh, Bill, well then this must be serious." He teased.

"He invited Me, and Ben, and maybe Carrie to go miniature golfing tonight. Miss Chamberlain will take us and pick us up."

Ed rubbed the back of his neck with his hand and looked at the watch on his wrist. "Oh Michelle, I don't know. It's a school night and I was going make hamburgers on the grill."

Her smile faded and her shoulders slumped. "I knew you'd say no." She complained.

Holly stood and put her hands up. "Ed, this is none of my business, but didn't you tell me that Michelle is on the honor roll?"

"Yes, but I'm not sure that that has to do with anything."

"Well, if she is on the honor roll that means she is responsible, and wouldn't ask to go if she thought it would affect her studies. Besides, it's just a little miniature golf, maybe some ice cream when they're done. I don't see the harm" Holly winked at Michelle.

"Please Daddy, please"

"Daddy?" Ed questioned. "Alright, but you have to be home by ten."

Michelle jumped up and down on the bed. "Thanks Dad!"

"Oh sure, it's Dad now. So fickle you women are."

Michelle got back on the phone and Holly stood. "I guess I should be going." She waved at Michelle who was busy finalizing her double date. Ed joined her in the hall, shutting Michelle's door behind him.

"Thank you for doing that for her." He seemed nervous.

"For what, strong arming you?"

"That and helping pick out a dress. This will sound sexist, but those are the things Maureen was good at. She could navigate silk and lace, and dating? Is that what she's doing? Is she dating Bill?"

Holly laughed, a throaty laugh. "Ed, she's twelve. She's not dating, but she is testing those waters as you speak."

Holly and Ed walked down the stairs into the living room. "I should be going" she said again.

Ed reached out and took her hands. "You don't have to go you know." There was something telling in his eyes more than the tone of voice. "You could stay here and have dinner with me." He looked towards the kitchen. "Afterwards maybe you'd fancy a swim?"

Holly wagged a finger at him. She had no plans, no one to answer to, but should she? Her answer surprised her. "Sure, but only if you let me serve you dessert this time."

Ed called up the stairs. "Michelle, I've changed my mind. Ask Vanessa if you can have a sleep over instead"

Holly reached up and covered his mouth with her hand. "Stop it. She may only be twelve but she doesn't live under a rock."