“Some of them are better and some are worse. Try not to generalize about it, Rhoda. That’s the best way to understand.”

“Well, it might be the best, but it doesn’t seem as true.” I sat up and pulled away from him. I began to straighten up my clothes. “I thought you wanted to see me. Don’t you want to make love to me?”

“Of course I do. Anybody would. But I’ve been going out with someone. Someone you know.”

“Who? Who do I know? I don’t know anyone you know but Derry. What are you talking about?”

“I’m seeing May Garth Sheffield. She’s in Montgomery working with Derry. She thinks the world of you, Rhoda. She’s always talking about you.”

“Well, that’s good. I’m glad you’re seeing her. I’m glad she’s got a boyfriend. She sure needed one.” I got up from the bed. “What time is it, anyway? I have to call my mother and tell her where I am. God, I keep seeing Klane’s body hanging from a rafter. Seeing her dead. I don’t know how I got into all of this. I don’t know what I’m doing here.” I got up from the bed and went over to the phone and called my mother. “I came down here to try to save my maid, Klane Marengo,” I said. “But she’s dead. She killed herself before I got here. I’ll come home in the morning, Mother. I’ll come as soon as I can.”

“What in the name of God? What are you talking about, Rhoda? Where are you?”

“She was dead, Momma. She killed herself. I’m in a hotel in Alexandria. I’ll come home in the morning and I’m sorry. I’m really really sorry.”

“What am I supposed to do with these children, Rhoda? They’re asking for you. Little Malcolm’s been looking all over the house for you. I want you to come home tonight. Go out to the airport and see if they have a plane. Just get on a plane and get yourself back home.”

“I can’t. I have a car. It’s too late. I’ll come in the morning. I’m really sorry, Mother. I’m as sorry as I can be. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”