“Don’t let Wanda rattle you,” Mitzi said.

“She called about fifteen minutes ago,” Jody said. “She gave me the third degree again and said that if I’d made Lyle marry me, this wouldn’t happen. She used the old ‘why buy the cow when you’re getting the milk for free’ adage three more times during the conversation.”

“Ignore her. You did the right thing by going to church and standing up to her,” Mitzi said.

“She also told me that you were definitely on a date today, because Graham picked up the bill, and evidently y’all have been seeing each other on the sly for a while, because you were introducing each other to family. And that she hopes y’all don’t sin in front of those girls.” Jody rolled the kinks out of her neck. “According to the sermon she gave me, I’ve wasted my life, but there might be hope for me if I admit she was right and repent of my sins. But I don’t feel like I need to repent for anything other than trusting Lyle.”

“I’m so sorry. You just keep going with us to church. That’ll show the whole lot of them that Lyle isn’t putting you in a corner—that you are a strong woman who can take control of her own life,” Mitzi said.

“You think in one week that will be true?” Jody asked.

“Maybe not, but we can put up a brave front and make them believe it’s the truth,” Mitzi answered.

“We’ll see how the week goes. I could use a cold beer. How about you?” Jody asked.

“Let’s go inside where it’s cool. I’d like to change into something more comfortable than this dress,” Mitzi answered. “But what if you’re pregnant? Should you be drinking beer?”

“I’m not jumping through hoops and giving up beer until I know for sure. Now, I need to know something—why have you been keeping Graham’s proposal a big secret, especially since I’ve told you everything?” Jody teased as she followed Mitzi into the house.

“You’re in a better mood.” Mitzi stopped under the AC vent in the living room and enjoyed a moment of cold air flowing down on her.

“It comes and goes. One minute I’m crying. The next is a whole ’nother story. I’ve been up and down so much today that I’m not sure who I am. Talk to me about Graham to take my mind off Lyle and his new child bride.” Jody went to the refrigerator and returned with two icy cold cans of beer. She opened one and took a long drink from it, then set the other one on an end table beside a recliner.