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Bitsy says I worry too much "The Lord will provide," she says "Like with Twyla and Mathew They needed a hoht Yesterday we received a gift I could never have iined

"Do you kno to ar, a few eggs, and a nice crust with lard" We are planning our supper of pie, pie, andwith some cold milk, as ind our way home froe fruit

Rounding the corner of the barn, riding double on Star, the first thing we see is a shiny black sedan just outside the picket fence My thought is, it ain, but Bitsy doesn’t think so

"Co her to the water trough by the spring "It ht she was in Balti the Olds-mobile I once drove when Hester and I took Katherine to the B&O station, only it looks a lot better than last tileams, and the chrome has been polished

I run up the porch and throw open the door, expecting to see Katherine and the baby waiting for us on the sofa, but there’s no one there "Katherine?" No response "Katherine?"

Funny Maybe they went for a walk

Bitsy joinsthe basket of persio?"

"Beatson the rail "What’s this?" We both raise our eyebrows, staring down at the gift, and I call one last ti to spoil our friend’s surprise "Katherine?!" There’s still no answer, so I tear the package open

A gold key on a gold key chain with the Masons’ symbol on it and a note in a fine woman’s hand falls out Carefully, I unfold the linen stationery and read aloud while Bitsy picks up the key

Dear Patience and Bitsy,

I didn’t get a chance at Mary’s service to thank you properly for all you have done for me and little Willie I truly believe I owe my life to you and to Mary too Thatand outbursts were escalating, and if I hadn’t gotten away, I have no doubt that someday I’d have been beaten to death

I told you, Patience, that he’d threatened to commit suicide before I shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, but he threatened and pleaded right up to the end The last time we talked by phone, a few days before his suicide, he said ere ret it

I told him firmly that his life was his own My life was mine, and I would never come back That’s why he killed himself, I’m sure of it Before I left Liberty, I told all this to Sheriff Hard I want is for Thomas to be blamed

Enclosed in this box are the keys to William’s car I want you to have it Mr Linkous, the lawyer handling what’s left of our estate, said he would find a driver and bring it to you when he got it fixed

Thank you again with all my heart, Katherine and Bitsy and Thoave me my life back

Love,