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“What sort of errand?”
“It’s covered by the attorney-client privilege. If I tell you, it won’t be secret anymore.”
“If that isn’t a load of horseshit.”
“Never thought I’d hear coarse words come out your mouth,” he admonished.
“Like our son said, times are changing... But I... I don’t like using that sort of language, Francis. I’m sorry.”
“Look, I got to work on that engine. Dick Overton wants it by the end of next week. You were talkin’ about gettin’ one of them new dishwashers that hook up to the faucet? Save you a lot of time.”
“We’ll discuss that when you have the money. I’ve never trusted Dick Overton farther than I could throw him, and that durn wife of his gets on my last nerve.”
“Well, he’s not gettin’ the engine back ’less that cash hits my palm.”
She eyed him cagily. “What did you think about Robert running into Christine?”
“I didn’t really think anythin’ about it.”
“Things could have turned out different for Jefferson, if... if he and Christine...”
“That was never goin’ to happen, Hilly. They had fun, but somethin’ permanent was not in the cards. Jeff always wanted to enlist. And we just ain’t the right society for someone like that gal.”
“I can’t believe she was part of our lives for over a year. Came here all the time. Had meals with us. Sat and talked with us.”
“But we never got invited over there, did we? To her house, did we?”
“I’m sure back then the Randolphs were very busy.”
“Right. They just didn’t want us riffraff in their fine home.”
“We’re not riffraff, Francis,” she replied heatedly.
“I fix trucks for a livin’. Folks like the Randolphs hire people like me. They don’t marry them. Hell, it would be like a white and a colored gettin’ married.”
“Well, as our son pointed out, people can legally do that now,” retorted Hilly.
“Okay, I’m all talked out.” He turned to leave, grabbing at his lower back.
“What’s wrong?” she said.
“I’ve pulled too many wrenches in my time, Hilly. All adds up.”
“And you’re okay with your son doing what he’s doing? People are talking. They think we’re just fine with Robert representing that man.”
“I don’t care what anybody thinks of him or me.”
“Easy for you to say. You’re at work all day. I have to deal with the neighbors.”
“Hell, you don’t even like the neighbors, Hilly.”
“He’s going to ruin his career in Freeman County.”
“Well, then maybe he’ll have to move to a new place. Fresh start.”
Hilly looked shocked. “What about us? What about Lucy?”
He drew closer to his wife. “I actually talked to him about takin’ over her care when we can’t do it anymore.”
