Chapter 43
We held hands, said grace.
“Wiley has told us so much about you,” Mama said, urging us to pass the food around.
“Having read Wiley’s book, we feel like we know you,” Mr. Ledbetter offered.
“Oh,” Mama said, pursing her lips unhappily.
“Do we have to talk about Wiley’s book again?” Shelly asked.
“I thought it was very interesting,” Mr. Ledbetter said. “But I’m sure it was uncomfortable to have your family history so publicly displayed. The fistfight with Bill—was that true?”
“Of course it was,” I said.
Bill’s face reddened.
“We fight like cats and dogs, so it wasn’t exactly news,” I added.
“I didn’t talk to him for three months after I read that book,” Bill admitted. “He could have just nailed us to a cross and been done with it.”
“I simply pointed out that you weren’t very supportive when Noah was born,” I said in my defense.
“Nobody thought he was going to live,” Bill shot back.
“Are y’all really going to fight about this again?” Shelly demanded.