Rivera pressed a fist to her mouth and then smiled anyway. “What exactly does Walker have tattooed on his bald spot?”

Miss Maddie turned to her sister. “What was it now? Praise Jesus? Wait, no, I remember. Jesus Saves.”

Rivera said, “Maybe Win has got some good tattoos, you’ll have to let us know, Angie.”

Angie resisted the urge to stick her tongue out at Rivera and reached instead for another piece of toast.

“Where does Patty-Cake fit into all this?” she asked.

Miss Maddie got a thoughtful look on her face. “If I recall, her Wayne was half brother to Jackson on their daddy’s side.” Then she let out a small, very musical laugh. “You’ll have to stay in Ogilvie a lot longer than a school year if you’ve got a mind to learn all the family connections.”

“It was just Patty-Cake I was wondering about,” said Angie. “As she’s taking such an interest in my love life.”

Harriet said, “Rivera, I’d guess Patty-Cake has already got some young man picked out for you, too.”

Miss Maddie’s bird-bright eyes flashed behind her glasses. “Now, won’t that be nice, don’t you think? With the Independence Day Jubilee coming up and all.” She turned her face toward Rivera. “We celebrate the Fourth of July in a big way here in Ogilvie.”

“What Miss Maddie in’t telling you,” said Harriet, “is that she’s been head of the Jubilee committee since just about ever. Why, there wouldn’t be a Jubilee without her.”

Miss Maddie started to protest, but Harriet held up a hand and carried on. “There’s a barbecue and games, and in the evening there’s the picnic basket auction and dance. Of course you have to have a ticket to be a Basket Girl, but I bet Miss Maddie could see to that.”

“I might could,” Miss Maddie said. “Now, Rivera, tell us. You got somebody you want to invite down from the city? A boyfriend you might want to show around Ogilvie?”

Angie slid down a little further in her chair, resigning herself to the idea that this conversation, long overdue, would take place at this particular breakfast table with two elderly women.

Rivera looked up from her orange juice, her expression innocent, friendly, vaguely agreeable, and shrugged.

“A girlfriend, maybe,” she said. “I’m gay.”

“How nice for you,” Miss Maddie said. Harriet hiccupped and put three fingers to her mouth as if to hold it shut. Miss Zula handed her another napkin.

“She means she’s a lesbian,” Caroline said to Miss Maddie. “Harriet, drink something before you choke.”

“I understood her, Caroline,” said Miss Maddie. “I watch HBO. Are you a lesbian, too, Angeline?”

Harriet hiccupped again, but it would take a lot more than a few blushes to upset Rivera, who was enjoying herself without reservation.

“No,” said Angie. “I can’t claim that honor.”