From behind closed shades in the living room, May studied Pastor Denny’s goings and comings. Mornings she remained inside until Denny began his run, rounded the corner, and turned left onto Elk Road. Then May dashed to her car and headed in the opposite direction, driving a mile to the right on Elk Road before turning onto a dirt side road that circumvented Denny’s exercise route.

Amelia wondered when the inevitable confrontation between them would occur. She understood that a lack of closure could haunt a person, and she wondered if May had chosen to stay with them for that reason, closure.

And then, several weeks after May moved in, Amelia responded to his knock and opened the front door to Denny Ledbetter.

He stood there, moving his hat round and round in his hands. “May I see May McCorkle?”

“Certainly. Come right in.” Slightly amused, Amelia led him into the living room. “Make yourself at home. I’ll get May.”

When Amelia announced that the pastor was here, May’s hand fastened about the bedpost. Her legs went weak and her stomach tightened. “I’m not going out there. I’m not going to let him humiliate me again. I hate him.”

“You don’t hate him. You’re hurt and disappointed, and you need to bring closure to this and get on with your life.”

“Maybe so, but I still hate him.”

“May, be sensible. Think about it. You told me at Mrs. Bourne’s place that you never wanted to see him or Covington again, and yet you came to stay with us. He lives across the road. It was inevitable that you would run into him. Maybe you wanted it to happen. Here’s your chance to clear the air, settle this once and for all, and stop asking yourself why this and why that.”

May’s expression changed from anxious and fearful to curious and interested. She sank into the glider and looked up at Amelia. “You think that’s why I came here?”

“Yes, I do. I ran into June in Asheville the other day. She told me that your aunt Lil, the one who lost her husband last year, asked you to stay with her, and she’s much closer to A-B Tech than we are.”

May’s hand rose to her mouth. “You knew that and you let me stay?”

“For a while, yes. I figured you’d have to confront the pastor, and the sooner the better. And since he’s made the overture…”

“All right. I’ll do it. I’ll see him.” She ran a comb through her hair, patted her cheeks with color, and put on lipstick. “I look okay?”

“You look lovely,” Amelia said and opened the bedroom door.

When May entered the living room, Denny rose to his feet. His hat hit the floor and, embarrassed, he bent and picked it up. “May, you look very well. How are you?”