Chapters (38)
- one
- two
- three
- four
- five
- six
- seven
- eight
- nine
- ten
- eleven
- twelve
- thirteen
- fourteen
- fifteen
- sixteen
- seventeen
- eighteen
- nineteen
- twenty
- twenty-one
- twenty-two
- twenty-three
- twenty-four
- twenty-five
- twenty-six
- twenty-seven
- twenty-eight
- twenty-nine
- thirty
- thirty-one
- thirty-two
- thirty-three
- thirty-four
- thirty-five
- thirty-six
- thirty-seven
- epilogue
Violet woke to sunlight streaming through her windows and Blondie’s nose in her face. She stretched and greeted the day by brushing her teeth and hair, then made her way to the kitchen for Adult Coffee with Mama and Daddy. They shared Corinna’s pecan muffins and talked about the baptism scheduled for Mrs. Edwards’ twins that morning. Mr. Glenn was on his way upstairs to dress when the telephone rang. Violet and her mother listened intently, but couldn’t make out his end of the conversation. He returned to the kitchen a few minutes later, his face the color of Elmer’s glue.
“Violet,” he began, then glanced at her mother. “Violet, there has been an accident, honey.”
“Okay, Daddy. Is everyone all right?” She wondered if their preacher had hit something on his way to church and it might be canceled. It was worth hoping.
He moved to her side. “It’s Johnny, honey.”
“No, Daddy,” she replied. “Johnny took Kimmie to Tuscaloosa last night. I’m sure he’s back by now. We’re seeing each other for lunch.”
“Violet, he’s in the hospital in Birmingham. He went off the road somehow between there and Tuscaloosa and into a ravine.” He paused. “Violet, Kimmie didn’t make it.”
“Oh my God! I have to get to the hospital!” she screamed, jumping to her feet. “He’s okay, isn’t he? Daddy, he’s okay?” Violet was hysterical and sobbing. Her mother grabbed her and forced her to sit, then looked to her husband for answers. There were none. Violet’s parents told her to collect her things. They’d drive her to Johnny.
It took two hours to reach the hospital. Violet found Dr. Perkins in the dull green concrete hallway outside his son’s room. “Mrs. Perkins has been admitted and sedated, Violet,” he told her. “Johnny is not doing well. You can’t see him right now.” He grabbed her upper arms and met her wildly darting eyes. “Violet, he’s suffered a spinal injury. They’re watching him closely. He’s not conscious yet, and wouldn’t even know you’re in the room.”
“He...he doesn’t know about Kimmie?” She immediately regretted her question. Dr. Perkins began to cry, horrifying her.
“No, Violet. He doesn’t. We won’t tell him until he’s stronger. His doctor is not sure he’ll pull through, Violet. Please understand what we’re dealing with here.” He turned to Violet’s mother. “I have to go and check on Edna. Please wait here.”
She nodded and forced Violet onto a hard metal chair. “We’ll be right here, Dr. Perkins. Praying.”
“Thank you.” Violet saw her father place his arm around the older man’s shoulders. They walked away together.