Page 82 of Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Book
“Me either,” Betsy admitted. “All they did was drink wine and have babies.”
“Drink wine and have babies!” Isaac roared, tears streaming down his cheeks.
“Now I feel like I’m missing out,” James said. “Maybe I should read it, too.”
Isaac laughed even louder and Elijah joined in. “Noooooooo!”
Betsy squeezed her husband’s arm. “I don’t think it’s for you, baby,” she told him.
When he finally caught his breath, Isaac planted a kiss on his mother’s cheek. “I’m really touched that y’all did that for me.”
“We’re family,” Betsy told him. “There’s nothing the four of us can’t overcome together. Now let’s prove it and go get that damn statue pulled down!”
“Amen to that,” said James.
As the Wrights headed off in separate directions, Beverly grabbed the youngest son’s arm. “Elijah, you mind giving me a hand for a second?” she asked.
Beverly had just seen Wilma and Bella pull up—very slowly—to the curb. Bella hopped out and opened the back of her SUV. Inside was the seven-tier cake that Wilma had promised as her contribution to the cookout. Elijah froze at the sight of Bella in a strapless yellow sundress.
“What’s the matter?” Beverly asked when she saw his stricken expression.
“She’s heading up north for college soon,” Elijah said.
“Maybe, but I have a hunch she’ll be back,” Beverly told him. “Now go show off your muscles and help her carry that cake.”
“Alright,” Elijah replied with a grin.
“I do hope this cake’s G-rated,” Beverly joked as she approached the vehicle. “I’ve heard what Wilma can do with some coconut shavings and whipped cream.”
“Don’t worry, I made her keep it clean,” Bella said.
“Just plain old chocolate with strawberry frosting,” said Wilma. “But come on over for the Fourth of July. I got something planned that’ll knock your socks off.”
“Where’d you get the idea to bake a giant phallus for your birthday, anyway?” asked Beverly.
“You don’t know?” Wilma snickered. “Your delinquent daughter put that dirty cake book in Lula Dean’s library. Honestly, I can’t thank Lindsay enough. It kept me out of the old person’s home and made my eighty-fifth birthday one to remember.”
“I think you more than paid her back,” Beverly said. “I’ve been meaning to let you know how grateful I am—for everything you two did for Lindsayand for all the help you’ve given Ronnie Childers. He’s such a sweet boy. Did I tell you he was planning to confess to taking Lula’s books just to get Lindsay out of trouble?”
“I’m not surprised,” Bella said. “Lindsay’s changed a lot of lives and earned a lot of goodwill. I wouldn’t be the person I am today if she hadn’t given meThe Southern Belle’s Guide to Etiquette.”
Beverly’s brow furrowed. “See, I still don’t understand why you keep talking about that horrible guide like it’s the greatest book ever written. Is there something I’m missing?”
“It definitely taughtmea thing or two,” Wilma said. “It’s got some pictures of lady parts in there that you just got to see for yourself.”
Bella cracked up at the sight of Beverly’s utter confusion. “It was one of Lindsay’s jokes. She put the etiquette guide’s jacket onA Girl’s Guide to the Revolution. That’s the book I’ve been reading.”
Elijah came around the back of the vehicle carrying a giant pink cake. “Lindsay’s like the town’s fairy godmother,” he said.
“She’s got me inspired, that’s for sure,” Bella said as Elijah passed by with the cake. “I’m wondering if Troy might be the place I can do the most good. I think I’m gonna take a little time off and see if I can find a school closer to home.”
“Oh, I do like the sound of that,” Beverly told her. She didn’t need to see Elijah’s face to know how big his smile was.
“Hey there. Y’all mind if I borrow Ms. Underwood?”
Beverly spun around when she heard the familiar voice. “Darlene!”
The 1996 Troy High School cheerleading squad had reassembled for the first time in twenty years. When Darlene Honeywell pulled Beverly into a hug, Yvette, Wanda, and Val rushed over to join them.
