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
Rick came over and placed his hand on mine. “She was living near Heflin four years ago. I arrested her twice for DUI and she fought the charges both times. Her boyfriend owned used car lots and hired a sleazy defense attorney for her. The first time she lost her license and got probation. The second...well, she’s been living in the Tutwiler Prison for Women in Wetumpka. She may be out now.”
I crossed to the railing and retched a barbecue sandwich and wine onto the grass below.
ten
VIOLET
Violet sat in Sam’s car, powdering her nose and watching the entrance to the pants factory. She’d been waiting for twenty minutes. Sam had left the car running so she could listen to the radio, and she drummed her fingernails impatiently on the dashboard in time with Peggy Lee’s “Golden Earrings”, eager to get to Atlanta for the surprises he’d promised. The parking lot was surrounded by dogwoods in bloom. She tried to focus on the birds flitting from tree to tree.
Ten minutes later he emerged, grinning and shaking the hand of a white-haired man in a business suit. Sam was carrying a briefcase—Violet thought he looked like a successful young tycoon.
He threw the case into the back seat and announced, “Sam Davidson, ma’am, Negotiator Extraordinaire and Oozer of Charm, at your service. Dad’s going to be very pleased with the fall selection and inspired to offer me a raise. Maybe he’ll sign the company over to me.”
“He should,” she replied, watching him shed his jacket and lay it carefully across the back seat. He loosened and threw his tie atop it, then jumped behind the steering wheel and slammed the door heavily.
Sam pecked Violet’s cheek perfunctorily and started the car. “Now for the fun part. Mr. Taylor almost made us late. I know way too much about his irritable colon and low fiber diet.” He shook his head. “Anything you’d like to know about the human digestive system?”
“No, thank you. Mine could use lunch, though.”
“You’ll love the restaurant. It’s a nice little place. Then we’re going to the Loew’s Grand for a movie.”
“Oh my gosh,” Violet replied. “The one where Gone With The Wind premiered?”
“The one and only. We’re taking in a matinee this afternoon before we go sightseeing.”
An hour later Sam parked on a side street in downtown Atlanta and opened Violet’s door. He led her to a colorful trolley car and helped her aboard, arm tight around her shoulders. The other passengers looked bored and ignored the sights Sam was busily pointing out. Violet decided they must be heading to or from work, and used to Atlanta’s splendor. Her mouth hung open at the buildings, signs and bustling streets.