We had only one good photo of my grandmother, and I didn’t think I looked anything like her. She wasn’t ugly by any means, but her face was rounder, her eyes smaller, and her mouth not as feminine as mine. Luckily, my mother looked more like her very handsome father, who had been a colonel in the Confederate Army. I loved the picture of him in uniform. He died before I was born and remained a debonair ghost.

As I sat across from the two of them, I wondered what I could possibly talk about that would make any sense to these two. I found myself babbling about our house and my cycling and then decided to tell them about the Wexler gala. They both sat transfixed as I described the size of the estate, the decorations, and the food. I was tempted to go up and get into the dress. Hazel remembered I had mentioned it in my letter.

“We’d love to see you in it, wouldn’t we, Nettie?”

My aunt nodded but looked like she had no idea why she should.

“Maybe later,” I said.

Finally, I thought I would mention Garland.

“I met a fine gentleman who lives outside of Charlottesville,” I said.

“Oh, did you now?” Hazel asked.

“What?” Great-aunt Nettie asked, and Hazel repeated what I had said.

“She met a fine gentleman,” Hazel said. “As pretty as she is, that’s no surprise, is it, Nettie?” She smiled and nodded at me. “I bet you have quite the full dancin’ card whenever you go to one of those fancy dos.”

I didn’t want to say the Wexler gala was my first big event. I wanted to appear as grown-up as possible so they’d be less concerned about my seeing someone while I was here. I decided to mention it now.

“He might come calling. I told him where I would be,” I said.

“Well, won’t that be somethin’?” Hazel said. “He might come callin’,” she told my great-aunt.

“Who?”

“Yes, who, dear?” Hazel asked.

“His name is Garland Foxworth,” I said. “He’s in business with my father’s bank.”

“Foxworth,” Hazel announced.

“Neal Foxworth?” Great-aunt Nettie asked after a moment of thought.

“No, Aunt Nettie. His name is Garland.”

“Foxworth Hall,” she said. “That’s the grandest mansion in Virginia, right, Hazel?”

“I never saw it myself, mind you, but I did hear a great deal about it. My, my. Will wonders never cease? Well, I should set the table,” she decided, and stood.

“I’ll help,” I said. That wasn’t something I often volunteered to do, but the prospect of yelling back and forth with my great-aunt seemed worse.

“Oh no, missy. You spend the time with your auntie. She doesn’t have many visitors at all these days. That’s why I was so happy to receive your letter.”