All of the House Corp Board members drove in, that Monday after the protest, from all over the state. Although we were merely Rush Advisors without a vote, Sallie, Gwen, and I were invited to the meeting also, and so was Selma James. Because of our commitment to Alpha Delt, they valued our opinions and felt we should, at the very least, be included in the discussions. Now, looking back on it, I should have stayed home. I’d give anything to not know what I know. And I wouldn’t have had to change my phone number.
We convened at the Inn at Ole Miss for a clandestine conference—sans Lilith—in a small meeting room. Our National Alpha Delt president even called in to the meeting and was put on speakerphone as we discussed our fate. Someone had the great idea to have lunch catered in from Volta, a favored Oxford restaurant, and it saved the day. For me, anyway.
The first order of business was to address whether or not Lilith should remain as House Corp President. Even with the way she had handled everything, including her switcheroo of the Rush ballot—which no one can prove—it was still tricky business. Lilith is a volunteer. But every single House Corp Board member voted unanimously to ask for her letter of resignation. When one of the board members turned to me and suggested I break the news to her since we were close friends, I almost had to change my underwear. “Who, me?” I gasped, with a hand on my heart.
Sallie saved me with her laugh, then added, “Unless you want to pay Wilda’s cardiac arrest hospital bill, y’all best let someone else do it.”
Lilith’s been stripped of her crowning glory, but she gets to keep her pin. Haynes, believe it or not, doesn’t give her all the blame. He includes the entire Greek system.
He explained it this way: Any time an injustice is going on, more than one person knows about it. It doesn’t matter if it’s a sorority or a fraternity, a corporation, a media outlet, or even a law practice. People in charge know what’s going on, but they choose to keep the status quo. It’s more convenient that way. But when something of this nature comes to light, like our girls protesting against the way Miss Pearl was treated and the lack of staff benefits, all of a sudden it becomes public and paints the organization in an unfavorable light. He says someone has to take the fall, and this time it’s Lilith. He’s not saying she doesn’t deserve to be ousted—he believes that wholeheartedly—but he believes the system is also to blame.
As for me, I think the whole thing is a tremendous oversight. Haynes, bless his heart, is bent toward cynicism.
Call me extra crazy, but I feel sorry for Lilith now. Her own daughter wants nothing to do with her. To say her friends have dropped her like a hot potato is putting it mildly. They’ve put her in the “rotten, slimy potato” category. It seems like the entire state of Mississippi is talking bad about her. When Fran from the board called to tell her she’d been asked to step down, Lilith said she’d never step foot in the Alpha Delt house again.
Surely a nice person lives in there somewhere. Surely she’s not inherently mean. I’ve been giving it a lot of thought these last four weeks, and I’ve decided she’s a wounded, tortured soul. Something must have happened to her in childhood or another time along the way. Childhood wounded me, but I tend to take it out on myself more than I do others. And for God’s sake, I’m the last person who needs to be judging another person’s mistakes.
Here’s the kicker: Once the decision was made, the board members tried talkingmeinto taking over Lilith’s position. I politely declined, but somehow agreed to serve on an interim basis until a permanent replacement can be found—someone like Lilith with tons of free time. The ten grand I owe Mama certainly won’t get repaid with volunteer hours.
I’m beginning to sound like a broken record, but I knew I should have resigned from the Advisory Board when I had the chance.
SEVENTY
MISS PEARL
Thirty minutes intoThe VoiceI hear a rap on the door. I knew I shouldn’t have waved at James Hardy this morning. Soon as I did it I regretted it. His chest puffed up the second I lifted my hand. That man can keep on knocking as far as I’m concerned; I am busy. Usher is on the television.
Looking at my main man with his handsome self is the best way I know to take my mind off everything that’s happened. On the bright side, I’ve got two job offers. First, the University has a position with my name on it: a supervisor in the maintenance department making fifteen dollars an hourplus benefits,including health and dental insurance and retirement. I can even attend the University again at a discounted rate. I’m supposed to give them an answer by close of business Friday.
Miss Wilda came over here personally the other day to let me know the board unanimously approved my application for House Director. She even said there’s a plan in the works for staff benefits. Eli Manning is on board to help the pledges with their fund-raiser. When he heard about the protest, he called Selma personally and commended her on a job well done.
The best part about the offer is Lilith Whitless will not be my boss. That lady finally got her due. I might not know everything that’s going on behindclosed doors over there, but I do know one thing: Before God, I will never be in the same room with that woman again. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever.
I haven’t made up my mind yet. There are pros and cons for both positions. Attending the University at a discounted rate translates to quite a bit of money. When I explained that to Miss Wilda, she said it was perfectly understandable. On the other hand, having a lovely apartment to live in has value and is something I would greatly appreciate. But I have to consider my future and where I have the best opportunity for advancement. No matter the outcome, I am happy. Knowing the girls took a stand for me is something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.
Lord have mercy, here comes the knock again. I mash the pause button down so hard, I leave an imprint on my thumb. Then I drag myself off the couch and pad over to the door. Once I put my eye up to the peephole, I nearly fall out on the floor. It’s not James Hardy. The Evil Queen herself is perched right outside my door.
What in the world could she want? I sigh so loud I’m quite sure she can hear me, but I do not care. She can stand there all day long if she wants to. I amnotopening my door for her. Now I wish it was that James Hardy fool. As I’m headed back to the couch I hear her say, “Hello. Miss Pearl?” in a tone that’s not harsh.
So that’s what she’s doing. Putting some nice in her voice. Coming over here to save face.Go on home, lady. You’re not fooling me.I plop back down on the couch and snatch up my remote.
“It’s Lilith Whitmore. I have something for you.”
Something for me? Like what? A warrant for my arrest? What on earth is so important that this lady has made it her business to drive all the way out to my neck of the woods? She’s crazy if she thinks I’ll listen to one more word of her disrespectful bullcrap.
“It won’t take long.”
Why would I want to show my face to her? So she can slap it again? I may not have a college degree,yet,but I am no dummy. Maybe I should call the police. She’s on my property now. Where’s my phone?
“I’ll leave it on your stoop. Please don’t wait too long to get it, though. I wouldn’t want it stolen.”
Stolen?What makes her think anyone around here would want what shehas? And who does she think is a thief? Maybe I should open this door and give her a big piece of my mind. Let her know despite what she thinks she sees on the outside, my neighborhood has more love on the inside than that Natchez mansion of hers has ever had. That I know.
“I’m leaving now. I hope it will be okay out here.”
That’s it. I’m fixing to let her have it. I push myself up, pad back over to the door and put my eye up to the peephole again. She’s digging inside her extra large Louis Vuitton pocketbook. Probably going for her gun. Because of me, she’s lost her board president position. I’ve read about people like her, snapping all of a sudden.
But the more I think about her coming to shoot me I reconsider. Mama Carla said she was watching everything that happened at my going-away party from a safe spot across the street. She’s nothing but a chicken. With her head cut off! I have to stop myself from laughing out loud imagining her running around the House headless.
