Lettie scurried around putting bridge tallies on her kitchen table and a card table in the living room. The Covered Bridgers were playing at her house this evening. This was the first time they had gotten together since Charlotte's death a month earlier.
Lettie's bumps and bruises had healed, but she was still struggling to get over the emotional aspects of her ordeal. Gloria was in the psychiatric ward of Stafford Community Hospital charged with first-degree murder. Lawrence was in shock, and he had taken their sons to visit his parents for an indefinite time. Deciding whether to stick by Gloria or not would take considerable time and thought.
Gloria had lied to him from the beginning of their relationship, but Lawrence could not ignore the fact that she was mentally disturbed. He had deep sense of loyalty and with counseling and medication, maybe she could be helped. However, she would have her day in court sometime in the future.
Lettie had learned many things since that fateful day in the funeral home parking lot. The day she saw Jeff driving out of Hickory Creek Park, Jeff had met Gloria there to have it out with her. Of course, he had no idea she had murdered Charlotte. He met her to tell her one last time to leave him alone, or he would definitely tell Lawrence everything.
The burglary at Williams Lumberyard had nothing to do with Charlotte's murder. Only merchandise was stolen, and three teenage boys were arrested while attempting to pawn a twenty-five inch television set.
Mitch and she had been dating exclusively, and his divorce was proceeding on schedule. Lettie was still holding to her resolve not to commit to anything until his divorce was final.
Renee was home from school for the summer, and they had been inseparable. When Lettie had called her the night of the funeral to fill her in on her mishap, Renee wanted to come home right then, but Lettie insisted she stay at school. Mitch and Sophie took turns staying with Lettie until Renee got home. Renee thought Mitch was great and that her mother was being old fashioned about making a commitment before his divorce was final. Mothers and daughters had to disagree on a certain number of things.
Renee was substituting in the bridge group tonight. After all, the Covered Bridgers had lost two members. They did have one new person on a permanent basis. Melanie Downey had decided to stay in Stafford. She secured a teaching job in the Walker County School System and was living in the house with Jeff. When Lettie learned of her intent to live in Stafford, she asked her to take her sister-in-law's place in the group with the blessings of the other Covered Bridgers.
One other thing she needed to do was to get her Tapestry Leaf Jacket out of the closet. She wanted to show her bridge buddies her latest creation. Show was all she could do, because it was too hot to wear it now, but she was ready for Fall.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The pattern for the Tapestry Leaf jacket may be found in Kaffe’s Classics by Kaffe Fassett, published by Little, Brown and Company, 1993, page 53.