Tamar Myers - Poison Ivory: A Den of Antiquity Mystery

What? I cried in alarm 123

When I observed how moist Taigas hunk of German chocolate 137

No project has ever proceeded smoothly from the tools of 150

Are we expecting terrorists, Wynnell? I asked. 164

Bravo! Wynnell cried, clapping vigorously. 175

Was it my imagination, or did a cloud suddenly obscure 186

Well, you see those humongous trucks that are all but 199

Greg and Booger, bless their hearts, had not gone to 209

My dilemma was whether or not to fill Mama in 222

Mama! You just took ten years off my life? 232

Sure enough, when the dust settled some, I could see 243

Why dont that beat all, Mama said, in a temporary 253

now in Charleston lasts less than half as long as a politicians promise. Therefore, if I wanted to walk in it, I knew I had better hurry. I shook my husband for the umpteenth time. Greg, darling, wake up.

He groaned. Maybe later, hon; now I just want to sleep.

I couldnt blame him. It was only two in the morning. Id woken up to use the bathroom and was suddenly struck by the sound of complete silence that only a wet, heavy snow can deliver in the middle of a night. Not a dog was barking, not a car engine racing, not even a foghorn was sounding on the nearby harbor. The city of Charleston seemed to be holding its breath while this once-in-a-ten-year event unfolded.

Well, if my beloved husband wouldnt join me for an outing in the snow, then maybe my mother would. After all, she is from the Upstate of South Carolina, where the cold stuff, while still unusual, falls at least once almost every winter.

Tamar Myers

Mama! Wake up!

Mozella Wiggins is a petite womanjust five feet tallwho has been stuck in a time warp since the early 1960s. She retires to bed in a proper nightgown, and lays a matching robe, neatly folded, across the foot of her bed. At the first sound of her name she sat up and reached for the robe in one smooth gesture.

What is it, dear? Is it those shadows on the wall again?

Mama! I was six years old, and that willow oak branch was growing too close to the house. You said so yourself.

My minimadre shook her head sharply, as if to clear her brain from layers of sand and dust that might have accumulated on it while she slept. Suddenly she was just as alert as a traffic controller fresh back from rehab.

Listen, Abby!

Isnt it wonderful, Mama?

Her response was to rush to the window and fling open the solid wood plantation shutters. What she saw made her gasp in delight, and she began to jump up and down like an excited schoolgirl.

Oh, Abby, weve got to get out there as fast as we can. We have to be the first ones to make tracks in the snow. It brings good luck, you know.

It does? Says who?

My mama and her mama before her, thats who.

POISON IVORY

Who am I to argue with my foremothers? Do you have any waterproof shoes? Mama wears only pumpseven to picnics.

No. I was hoping you had an extra pair of galoshes.

Well, considering the fact that Ive lived down here on the coast for the last five years, and its only snowed once, its somehow slipped my mind to stock up on them. Do you have a pair of old shoes that you absolutely hate?

Dont be silly, dear; why would I buy something I hate?

Sometimes with Mama one needs to tack, just as abruptly as one might with a sailboat. Ah, but think of this as an opportunity to buy a new pair of shoes; my treat. Yesterday I saw a huge selection of pumps, with stiletto heels, in the window of Bob Ellis.

You mean you wouldnt send me to Target?

Theres nothing wrong with Target, Mama but yes, you may purchaseone does not buya pair of the statement shoes if you like.

Sold, Mama said happily, and scurried off to her closet, where, without a seconds hesitation, she retrieved a pair of pull-on rubber boots in neon yellow.

Mama, whered you get those?

These are my snow-walking boots from up in Rock Hill. Theyre from Target, you know. Anyway, I keep them hidden under my laundry bag, because the color doesnt go with this room.

But you said you didnt have anything!

Tamar Myers

You asked me about shoes, dear; you didnt ask me about boots. Besides, remember all those times I called you up, when you were living in Charlotte, and asked you to come down and walk in the snow with me. If you had, youd have remembered these.