Chapter 58

When the car left that afternoon with Mrs. Nelson's cousins sitting bolt upright in their seats, Mrs. Nelson watched from the porch, waving with her good hand, a half-smile set on her lips. Her mood, at least for the moment, had noticeably improved.

"Good riddance to a bad attitude," Verna hissed to Aunt Flory under her breath as they watched them drive away.

"Let's hope that's the last we see of them," Aunt Flory said. Once inside the house, Verna and Aunt Flory disappeared into the kitchen, once again leaving Mrs. Nelson at the mercy of the churchwomen. However, this time, she appeared to bask in their attention, a look of triumph lingering in her eyes.

Zoey slipped into the dining room, where she busied herself with gathering the leftover food. If she was careful not to clink the dishes together, she could easily follow Aunt Flory and Verna's conversation in the kitchen.