JESSIE [crossing to sofa and shouting in Bella’s ear]: THEY’RE GOING TO TALK EVERYTHING OVER AND GET IT ALL STRAIGHTENED OUT AT THE MOOSE LODGE, BELLA!

BELLA: Moose?

JESSIE: Lodge, yes. So you just rest on the sofa. How are you feeling, Bella? What happened in Memphis must have been a shock to you. Mary Louise says it was suicide, Bella. Suicide is awful, it’s worse than death. I do hope it wasn’t that, Bella, but, anyhow, whatever— What’s that you got in your hand?

BELLA: Something was in the mailbox when we got back from Memphis. Recognized Joanie’s handwriting. Hid it from Cornelius.

JESSIE: Why’d you hide it from—?

BELLA: He would’ve torn it right up. You know our little Joanie? Remember our little Joanie?

JESSIE: Oh, yes, her. Who could forget her?

BELLA: Scared to open it. See here in the corner of the envelope, Jessie? State Hospital Number Three? Stamped on the envelope, Jessie?

JESSIE: State Hospital Number Three is—

BELLA: Lunatic Asylum. I know, I know. My uncle Archie was there thirty years, so I know. Would you read it first and prepare me a little?

JESSIE: Bella, I can’t see to read without my reading glasses. Sooner or later you’ve got to read it. Of course you could put it off until tomorrow when the other problems are hopefully straightened out at the Moose Lodge.

BELLA [opening envelope]: Won’t sleep till I know. [Reads.] “Oh God!—Dear Mom. Don’t commit me. They can only hold me ten days without the consent of you or Pop. Pop would give it but you wouldn’t. All I had was a little nervous breakdown when that son of a bitch, that black mother I lived with in Jefferson Parish left me without a dime and went back to his wife.” Excuse me Jessie, she’s picked up some awful language. I’ll try to skip the worst. “Mom,” she says, “I swear I’m okay, never felt better in my life. I just want a chance to make a new start on my own. Without no prick of a . . .”

JESSIE: Bella!

BELLA: Sorry. [Resumes reading.] “I can go back to my old job at the Pizza King on the highway. I know the manager can’t wait to get me back there. So just sit tight. Don’t mention nothing to Pop. And for crissake don’t sign no papers. Love your little Joanie.”