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the very back of the truck were a dozen pots of rust-and burgundy-colored mums. “Give me a hand,” my mother said as Trixie grabbed a shovel.
    â€œWhat is it?”
    â€œIt’s for your flower bed,” she said. “Help me stand it up.”
    I held the top section as she unwrapped it, and Aunt Trixie began digging. It was a sculpture formed out of tin and wire and various other materials. I cocked my head from one side to the other. “What’s it supposed to be?”
    â€œStep back and look at it,” my mother said.
    I did as she said. I circled it several times, checking from all angles. “I guess I’m not much of an art expert.”
    Aunt Trixie hurried to the back of the truck and pulled out a small a bag of concrete mix. “We call it First Man and Woman .”
    It suddenly became crystal clear to me: a man and a woman formed together, vines encircling them. I looked more closely at the man—specifically, at his groin. “Is that what I think it is?”
    â€œYou’re supposed to draw your own conclusion,” my mother said, “but I’ll give you one hint. It’s not a fig leaf.”
    I turned to find my aunt dumping dry concrete mix into a hole in my flower bed. She reached for the hose. “Wait!” I said. “You’re going to put it in my front yard?”
    â€œDixie, I told you she’d be surprised,” my aunt said, squirting water on the concrete and mixing it with a stick.
    â€œHoney, I wish you could see the look on your face,” my mother said. “I wish we had brought the camera. Consider it a late housewarming gift,” she said.
    â€œBut you’ve already done so much. I don’t feel right accepting this. Really,” I added.
    The telephone rang inside. “I should get that,” I said, hoping it was Mona. “Don’t do anything till I get back.”
    I hurried inside and answered the phone. Sure enough, it was Mona calling from the ladies’ room at the restaurant to see whether I was feeling better. “We have to talk,” I said. “What time will you be home?”
    â€œI might not go home tonight,” Mona whispered.
    â€œOh.”
    â€œI know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking he’s too young. Well, he’s almost twenty-five.”
    â€œWhy are you being so defensive?”
    â€œBecause I don’t like it that people think it’s okay for a man to go out with a younger woman, but it’s not okay for an older woman to go out with a younger man.”
    â€œI didn’t say that.”
    â€œYou’re thinking I’ll look foolish, is that it?” She sighed. “Oh, crap, I probably shouldn’t go home with him. I’m thirty-four. I can’t possibly take my clothes off in front of a twenty-four-year-old man.”
    I could not imagine someone like Mona being self-conscious. She was blond, petite, and perfect. “Maybe you shouldn’t rush into anything.”
    â€œI really like this guy, Kate. Actually, I’m pretty sure I’m in love with him. Now that I think about it, I care about him way too much to sleep with him on the first date.”
    I gave a mental eye roll. To Mona it probably made perfect sense.
    â€œPlus, he hasn’t come on to me. Uh-oh.”
    I could barely keep up with her train of thought. “What?”
    â€œWhat if he isn’t attracted to me? Oh, God, what if he’s only going out with me because I’m rich?”
    â€œMona, you’re talking in circles. You definitely need to slow down and reconsider.”
    â€œYou’re right, Kate. I lost my head for a minute. Lust does that to a person.” She sighed. “So, what did you want to talk to me about?”
    â€œWhy don’t we talk at the office tomorrow?” I suggested, knowing I needed to get outside and see what my mother and aunt were up to.
    Aunt Trixie was holding the sculpture in