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Fresh guilt surged when she remembered the way Mr. Ketchum had turned with her in his arms, purposely placing himself between her and the snake. He would’ve allowed the snake to bite him instead of her.
Maizy shook her head. “The emergency workers would’ve saved you—”
“Not with a seven foot rattler in the room or possibly loose in the school, they wouldn’t have. It think it’s obvious from the weak ‘beeps’ and ‘boops’ of this conglomeration of hospital equipment that I probably would’ve had a heart attack before the snake was properly dealt with and they got to me. Maizy, I owe you a sincere apology for this entire affair.”
Maizy shrugged and gave her a weak smile. “It’s done. I’ll move on. I still feel my choice was the right one.”
Beverly didn’t debate the accuracy of Maizy’s statement, but determined to do what she could to make her part in this debacle right. Guilt flooded her again that she didn’t give a full confession but she just couldn’t do it. A Dumphrey made good decisions based on right and wrong, not on the opinions of others. Her father would be mortified if he was still alive.
Beverly pointed at Maizy’s jacket, held in her lap. “So, what do you have in your pocket there?”
Maizy lifted the bundle from the pocket and said, “It’s the rattle. I brought it…I brought it because I wanted you to know it was my men that saved you. But you…the pictures…you already knew that.”
Beverly reached out for it. “I’d like to see it.”
Maizy placed the paper towel-wrapped bundle in her hand and she opened it gingerly, a chill skittering up her spine at the sound the rattles made in such close proximity. It fell out into her lap.
“Well, goodness. He was a granddaddy, wasn’t he?”
“Yes. Heath lifted him up so we could see. It was at least seven feet long.”
“He’s a good man.”
Maizy frowned at her. “Why do you say that?”
Sadness swept over her as she smiled at Maizy. “Because he took one look in my eyes and knew something was wrong. I don’t think he saw the snake, only my reaction to it. He was already acting before the blasted thing began to rattle. It seemed like forever at the time, but I know they strategized and acted on their plan within seconds.”
Maizy nodded and smiled. “They have a unique way of communicating.”
“Sign language. I saw it. Maizy, I would like to do what I can to make this situation you’re in better. Perhaps—”
“It’s already done, Mrs. Dumphrey. I’ve reconciled myself. Defining the level of privacy teachers are allowed to enjoy in Divine is always going to be a gray area. To be honest, I’m glad to not have the worry on my shoulders anymore.” Maizy rose from her chair and laid the flowers in Beverly’s lap. The lovely scent of the roses wafted to her nose and her guilt swamped her, making it difficult to breathe. “I’m glad you’re all right, Mrs. Dumphrey.”
“If they’d known who they were saving—”
Maizy stopped at the corner of the cubicle and gazed at her. “That wouldn’t have mattered a bit. They’re protective of all women. I hope they let you go home soon. Feel better.” Then she was gone.
Beverly sat there with the rattle in one hand and the flowers in the other, her vision blurring as her eyes filled with tears. When was the last time she’d cried? Forever. When was the last time she’d made someone else cry? Last week.
She gasped at the realization she was just as big a viper as the former owner of the rattle she held.
When the nurse checked on her a few minutes later, she asked for her cellular phone from her purse. She dialed a number and when the person on the other end answered, her statement was direct and to the point. “I’ll make this brief. You’ve lost my support. Stop harassing these people or I’ll reveal what you’re doing to the school board and to your pastor.”
“I will never give up. I—”
“No, Tabitha. It’s too late for Miss Owen. I already tried to rectify what you’ve done but she won’t allow it. If you decide to go through on your empty threat and go to the national news networks I will contact them myself and reveal you for the self-righteous, vengeful, jealous harpy you are. You will be the one dragged through the mud, Tabitha. You will stop this now.”
