The Perfect Dress(21)

“Have you lost your taste for coffee?” Jody asked.

“That dark roast kind gives me heartburn,” Paula said. “Now who’s joinin’ who for what?”

“I’m going to church,” Jody announced. “How about you?”

“If you’re going, then I am. I wouldn’t miss that show for the world.”

“What show?” asked Mitzi.

“Her mama is going to be there,” Paula said.

“So’s yours,” Jody reminded her.

“Which is the very reason I usually don’t go,” Paula said. “But today we need to be there together.”

“Exactly. I got your back.” Jody grinned for the first time since Mitzi and Paula had arrived at the trailer the day before.



Covering her yawn with a hand, Mitzi tried to focus on what the preacher was saying, but her mind kept jumping around from one thing to another. She thought about the possibility of Jody being pregnant. In some ways she envied her friend for even having the chance, but how would Jody ever move on if every day she saw a reminder of Lyle right there before her? Then she wondered about Paula’s decision to quit drinking anything with caffeine and all liquor. Maybe she should have a physical to be sure her heartburn wasn’t something serious, like a malfunctioning gallbladder. Graham Harrison and his girls crept into the circle of worry, too. Should she keep the relationship with the twins on a professional level, or was it all right to get into a deeper friend-type relationship with all three of them?

Jody poked her in the ribs.

“What?” she whispered.

“I think you’re supposed to listen to the preacher,” she said out of the side of her mouth.

“I was!” Mitzi frowned.

“You were thinking about Graham. Your whole body language changes when you think about him,” Jody said.

“Shhh.” Jody’s mama, Wanda, tapped her on the back.

Mitzi sat up straighter and did her best to pay attention, but it was impossible. Wanda had disowned Jody when she and Lyle moved in together right after they’d graduated from high school. How was she going to take the news of him cheating on Jody? It was bound to get out real soon, if it hadn’t already.

The preacher finally ended his sermon and asked one of the deacons to give the benediction. The minute the last amen was said, Mitzi’s father was on his feet, shaking hands with those around him.

“These old pews get harder on my backside every Sunday.” Fanny Lou stood up and groaned, then nodded toward Wanda.

“Mama.” Jody nodded as well.

“I told you this would happen, that no man will buy the cow when he’s getting the milk free,” Wanda hissed at her.

“Are you braggin’ that you’re right or callin’ me a cow?” Jody asked.

“You’ve disgraced yourself again. Where are you stayin’ since he’s married someone else?” Wanda’s mouth was set so tight that it was a wonder the words could escape.

“She’s stayin’ with me and Paula,” Mitzi answered.

“That’s where she should’ve been all along or else livin’ with me.” Wanda’s high-pitched voice grated on the nerves. Poor Jody didn’t need that when she was trying to sort out everything.

“We’ll take good care of her,” Mitzi promised.

“Why do you care anyway? You haven’t even spoken to your daughter in years,” Fanny Lou asked.

“She could have been a help to me, but oh, no, she had to cause so much trouble that she drove her father away and then embarrass me in front of all my friends by living in sin,” Wanda said through clenched teeth. “And now she’s gettin’ her comeuppance.”

“I’m standin’ right here, Mama,” Jody said.

“Maybe so, but I’m choosing not to see you. God says we should hate what He hates and love what He loves. He doesn’t love the way you’ve lived,” Wanda told her.

“Well, I’m sure glad God loves you even when you’re self-righteous,” Jody replied.

“You’re sure showin’ a lot of Christian love, Wanda. You should be supporting your daughter in this tough time,” Fanny Lou snapped.

From the expression on Wanda’s face, Mitzi expected her to plumb stroke out. But she whipped around and stormed out of the church by a side door.

“Reckon she’ll get into heaven if she dies this week since she didn’t shake the preacher’s hand?” Fanny Lou giggled.

“Granny!” Mitzi scolded, but she couldn’t keep the twinkle from her eyes.

“I might have voiced it, but you were thinkin’ it. Lyle wasn’t much of a man to tell Jody about his affair and marriage on the phone. If you ever have a feller like that, I’ll kill him and drag his body down Main Street behind my old pickup truck,” Fanny Lou whispered. “I’m tempted to go out there and do it to Lyle.”

“And I’ll help you.” Mitzi’s father, Harry, motioned toward the side door. “Let’s take our chances on not dying this week and skip shaking the preacher’s hand. Whoever gets to the café first should save a table for the five of us.”

“Granny, you want to ride with me? Jody came with Paula this morning,” Mitzi said.