Agnes Jordan stood in the open doorway looking like a deer caught in a pair of headlights. “Agnes, how nice to see you,” Lola said warmly. “Please, come in. We were just going to have some coffee. Would you care to join us?”

“I’d like that, Lola, but instead of coffee I’d like about six ounces of good bourbon. Straight up.”

“I think we can handle that, can’t we, Anthony?” What do we have here? Lola wondered.

“Absolutely, madam,” Anthony said. “Would you like me to serve in the sunroom?”

“Yes, the sunroom will be fine.”

In the sunroom, everyone perched on the edges of their seats, Lola, Mandy, and Anthony watching in amazement as Agnes Jordan downed the bourbon in three hasty swallows. Her eyes watered, and she coughed as she held out the glass for a refill. “I needed that. I guess you’re wondering why I’m here.”

“The thought did occur to me,” Lola said dryly. “You’re welcome, of course,” she said, remembering Mandy’s admonition to be kind.

“I was wondering, Lola, if you’d help me the way you…Of course I’ll pay you back when I can. I left Asa. I couldn’t take it one more minute. Not one more minute. The only way to explain it is, I snapped. A reporter came to see us, and he was asking questions. The young girl with him was so nice. She knew Cady when they were little. I think that had something to do with it.” She gulped at the fresh drink. This time her eyes didn’t water, but they were starting to glaze over.

“I hate him, Lola. The hatred is so pure, so deep, there are no words to describe it to you. Can I please stay here until I can find a place of my own and a job? Cady asked me to come. Even if she hadn’t, I would have come on my own. I wish so many things, Lola. God, you have no idea what I wish for.”

“I know, Agnes, I know. You’re welcome to stay here as long as you like. Whatever you need, it’s yours. Why in the world didn’t you come sooner? I gave up trying to convince you to come here a long time ago. Why did you stay with him so long? Why?”

“I wish I knew. Guilt is such a terrible thing. I need to ask another favor, Lola. I don’t want Cady to see me looking like a scrubwoman. Do you have something I can borrow?”

“We aren’t the same size, Agnes. I’ll take care of it. Mandy, call Rutherby’s and have them send over a selection. Do we have any of that hair dye left that Danielle and Mona used on Cady? If we do, let’s work some magic here. Those glasses went out of style twenty years ago, Aggie.”

“I know. I appreciate this, Lola. I will repay you.”

“That’s not necessary. In your own way your heart is as generous as my own, and we both know it. Finish your drink and let’s go upstairs. I have the prettiest bedroom that will be just perfect for you. It’s very feminine, just the way you used to be before my son got hold of you.”