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157 t w e n t y - t w o Farewell to the Lindseys it was not until my last morning in Ruleville that I found the time to return to the Lindsey home. I mounted the porch steps and knocked on the door. Ora May appeared immediately, and for the first time met my eyes and smiled. “Good morning, Mr. Sugarman,” she said in a soft voice. “Good morning, Ora. It’s good to see you again. Is Mrs. Lindsey up yet? I’m leaving today, and I wanted to say good-bye.” She stepped aside, swinging the door open, and motioned me toward the living room. “Please come in,” she said. “I’ll tell Mrs. Lindsey that you’re here.” She paused a beat. “Did you enjoy your stay in Ruleville?” “Very much, Ora. It was memorable.” “Well, that’s good. Memorable.” She grinned and hurried down the hall. Moments later Bette came through the door bearing Keirn. “Good mornin’, Tracy!” A white pique dressing gown with a huge shawl collar and enormous polka dots of black was buttoned high at the neck. She grinned and carefully placed the baby on the deep rug beside the couch. “Ora, honey,” she called, “please bring some coffee. How do you take it, Tracy?” “Black. I’m sorry if I dropped in too early.” “Oh, heavens, with Kevin around this isn’t early!” She knelt beside the baby, resting her back against the couch. “I’m leaving today,” I said. “And I wanted to say good-bye.” She rescued Kevin who had toppled, gurgling happily, onto his side. The full pink cheeks made him look like a tiny toy replica of Lake. Bette kissed him and sat him erect. She tipped her head and regarded me solemnly . “Tracy, I hope you believe this. You’ve talked with me and you know how I am, I’ve got to say what’s on my mind—or I bust!” She lit a 158   |   Return to the Delta cigarette and shook out the match. Her eyes studied the tiny drift of smoke that rose from the ashtray. When she spoke again, her voice was subdued. “I’m a rebel . . . and glad to be . . . and I don’t approve of a lot of what you’re down here for. Some of it makes me boil. I guess it always will. But I respect anyone who believes strongly in something.” She flushed, and took the tray of coffee from Ora. “I admire you for believin’ so strongly.” I reached down and picked up Kevin. I rolled his tiny pull toy along the rounded tummy. He chortled, and Bette laughed aloud. “It doesn’t take much to keep that boy happy,” she said. “You better take him for his bottle, Ora.” The maid extricated Kevin from my lap and carried him, crooning, into the kitchen. Bette watched her go, and turned, giggling, to her coffee. “That Ora! How I do adore her. She’s one of the finest people God ever made.” She burst out laughing. “She’s my partner in crime. When Lake and I returned from Mexico we toted two bottles of tequila. Do you know tequila? You put a dash of salt on your wrist and lick it between sips of the liquor.” She grinned at the memory. “It’s strong medicine. Well, last month Lake had to go up to Memphis overnight on business, and I was here, feeling bored and restless. Ora was about to go home around nine when I remembered the tequila. Oh, my, Tracy! I said, ‘Ora, let’s you and me have one drink together before you leave.’” Bette’s eyes grew round and large. She nodded to the breakfast bar. “Do you know,” she said in a hollow voice, “we sat right there, two damn-fool women, and we finished that whole bottle of tequila!” She threw back her head and hooted. “Tequila! My God,” she gasped, “what a night! We were stoned!” She wiped the tears from her eyes and looked speculatively at me. “Do you know, I can talk with Ora about anything in the world. Anything at all.” She paused. Very simply she said, “I’d die for that woman.” I nodded. “I believe you would, Bette.” I finished my coffee and placed it carefully on the table. “There’s somebody else in this town that you would love if you only knew her. You’re very much alike in a lot of ways...

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