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sooner the better.”
    She scooted closer and kissed him on the cheek. “We’re hoping to get married next month. Although . . . ” She pursed her lips as if she had tasted the lemon from her sweet tea. “ Mother says she doesn’t see how we can possibly be ready in a month.”
    I could understand that. My own wedding was scheduled for Christmas , and even though it was going to be small, I had a checklist that was quickly looming out of control.
    “Speaking of your mother,” Ricky murmured and stood as Amelia and Byron Stanton walked toward us. I quickly grabbed two more menus while he pulled out Amelia’s chair for her to sit down.
    I took the mayor and First Lady ’s drink order and hurried away. A few minutes later, as I carefully set the drinks on the table, I glanced at Tiffany. The change was amazing. Her arms were crossed defensively in front of her , and the radiance was gone. “I think you just don’t want me to get married.” She glared sullenly at her mother. “You’ve never really wanted me to be happy.”
    Amelia glanced up at me and gave a nervous laugh. “Honey, of course, I want you to be happy. I just think you’re rushing this.” She looked to Byron as if for support. “We want you to have a wedding to remember and that takes some time to plan. You don’t want off - the - rack dresses for the bridesmaids, do you? And what about your gown?” I’d often thought Amelia was like a Barbie doll with no real feelings or emotions, but her distress was very real.
    I took my pad and pen out of my apron. “Have y’all decided what you want to eat?” I asked in my most cheerful voice , then motioned Vanna-like toward the white dry - erase board on the wall. “These are today’s specials.”
    Amelia ignored my motion and glanced down at the menu in her hand. “I’ll have the chef salad with blue cheese dressing on the side.” She looked at me over her menu. “Carly does make her own salad dressing, doesn’t she?”
    “Yes, of course. I’m partial to her honey mustard, but the blue cheese is great, too.”
    Tiffany didn’t look at the white board , either. Carly was going to fire me if I didn’t do a better job of promoting the already - made food.
    “I’ll have a cheeseburger and fries off the menu.” Tiffany smiled at Ricky. “That’s what you want , too , isn’t it, baby?”
    “Sure is.” He patted her on the hand. “You always know just what I like.”
    I saw Amelia’s jaw muscle jump as she gritted her teeth. Was her son-in-law-to-be needling her on purpose?
    “And you, Mayor Stanton?”
    “I’ll have the chicken fried steak and gravy, mashed potatoes , and fried okra.”
    Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Finally , someone who was ordering one of the specials. Maybe my job was safe for another day.
    Later , when I set the serving tray beside their table and began unloading it , they were still discussing the upcoming nuptials.
    “We do have an image to uphold, dear.” Amelia was again speaking through gritted teeth. She was going to need dental work if she kept this up. “We can’t just throw something together , especially if your dad is going to run for the Senate.” She lowered her voice on the last three words.
    Debbie had warned me that as a waitress I would hear lots of personal business and gossip. “We’re like the furniture,” she’d said. And it looked like she was right.
    I set their plates in front of them and headed back to pick up an order for another table. I got busy with my other tables but stopped back by to see if they needed refills.
    Ricky pushed to his feet just as I approached. “I’m going to go out and see if I can help the guys,” he said as he threw a couple of ones on the table and handed a twenty to Tiffany. “Do you mind handling our bill, honey?”
    She shook her head and shoved the money back to him. “Today’s my treat.”
    He glanced at her parents then back at her and frowned. “I’d rather pay for it, okay?” he said