page31 (1/2)

“Lenora was at the party,” I said “She’s still as well dressed as ever”

“Did she look ravishing?” There was a slightly caustic edge to the question

“She may still be the ‘Best Dressed,’ ” I said, “but I ondering why the ‘Most Popular Girl’ at Eudora High wasn’t there”

“It’s simple, Ben She and her husband were not invited to attend”

I was surprised to hear this I knew that Eudora “society,” such as it as a sroup Surely Elizabeth would be included

“I think you know ham, the state senator,” Elizabeth said “Richard is known to be the political kingmaker”

“I did know that,” I said

“Well, then, put it together L J Stringer never sits down to dinner with anyone more important than hiovernor,” she said

“And what do you think, Elizabeth?”

“He certainly wants to be governor But I… I don’t want to leave Eudora”

We had reached Jenkins’s store now “Thank you for walking with me, Ben And for our talk Now I have boot laces to buy”

To my disappointment, she didn’t invite htly kissed my cheek, then disappeared into the store—the same one where my mother had collapsed when I was just a boy

Chapter 41

MY MOTHER USED TO SAY, “When you’re truly in love, you see the face you love in your coffee cup, in the washstand mirror, in the shine on your shoes” I reular table at the Slide Inn, sipping a cup of strong and delicious chicory coffee

Miss Fanny brought rits, a slice of cured ham, and buttermilk biscuits, but I only had eyes for my coffee cup, and Ma about Elizabeth Yes, Mama I see her face in the surface of my coffee