“I was wondering where they were.” Haynes glances behind him and then at his watch. “We were supposed to meet them at one.”
“You know young girls. Boys always win out over parents.” She claps her hands together. “Have you tasted the stuffed figs?”
“Not yet,” I say. “We haven’t even made it around the food table.”
“Rosetta is passing them around. Oh, where is she?” Lilith cranes her neck around the tent. “They are to die for. You’ve got to try one.”
Haynes, who only minutes prior told me he knew absolutely no one, says, “Excuse me, ladies, I spot a buddy of mine,” then moseys off.
The second he walks away Lilith jams her hands into her hips. “Have you been to the House?”
I shake my head.
“Be glad you haven’t.”
“Why?” I try to look her in the eyes, but am distracted by her beautiful jewelry. Floral medallions made of aquamarines and diamonds set in platinum circle her neck. I look up and see matching earrings hanging from her lobes. And she’s wearing her Alpha Delt pin again.My gosh, I haven’t worn mine since I graduated. Give it a rest, Lilith.
“Apparently Carla is away this weekend for some…personal need.At least that’s what I’ve been told. You’ll never guess who’s filling in for her.”
“Who?”
“The maid.”She says it with such disgust I flinch.
Right then a server walks by and offers us a fig. As I stuff one in my mouth my taste buds explode. “Yum. What’s in this? Goat cheese?”
Lilith nods. “Wrapped in prosciutto. But back to the House.”
Now another server walks up and stands off to the side. I can’t help noticing she’s twisting her hands together and chewing her bottom lip. Lilith deliberatelyignores the poor thing. Trying to help I look at the woman, then back at Lilith, hoping she will at least acknowledge her.
“What is it, Tilly?” Lilith finally asks, with a light stomp.
“Mrs. Whitmore,” Tilly replies in a soft voice. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but there’s a problem with the generator and the party manager asked me to find you or Mr. Whitmore.”
“Jesus.I’ll be right back, Wilda. In the meantime go indulge yourself. The food is fabulous.”
On the way over to the food table I spot the desserts. Football-shaped sugar cookies inscribed withHOTTY TODDYTHE WHITMOREWAY, and individually baked brownies and lemon tarts in the shape of Colonel Reb, the outlawed Ole Miss mascot. Before I can lift a plate from the stack of fine china, Haynes taps me on the shoulder. “Ready?”
I turn my head slowly with a murderous glare.
“Just kidding,” he says with a playful grin. He relents—how could he not—and gets a plate of his own. Then we mosey around the table, loading up on what looks like the best brunch food we’ll ever put in our mouths. There’s another server at the end of the table handing out trays and red linen napkins with utensils rolled inside.
The perimeter of the tent is lined with wooden vineyard chairs. We grab two seats near the TV, which is broadcasting the Ole Miss pregame show. Only a few bites into our meal Gage spots us and makes his way over. Haynes stands up, lays his tray on his seat, and shakes Gage’s hand. “Man, you sure know how to throw a party.” I stand up, too—reluctantly. I so hate a cold egg.
“Thank, you. Thank you. So pleased you could make it.”
“Gage,” I say, “this food is delicious. I feel like I’m at the Plaza, not the Grove.”
He laughs. “Well, it’s been quite an undertaking, I must admit. Getting all these moving parts together has certainly been a challenge. But Lilith is the one to thank. She’s made it happen.” Raising his chin, he gives us a booming laugh. “That wife of mine can makeanythinghappen. And God bless the poor soul who tries to stand in her way.”
“I remember that well from our college days.” I steal a glance at my eggs, which are growing colder by the second.
“Make sure you come back after the game. Lilith’s got quite the surprise planned.” Leaning toward us he whispers, “She’s hired a Motown band.”
Out of the corner of my eye I’m watching Haynes. His mouth has stopped moving. I think he has shock-jaw.
“We’re taking the big table out to make room for a dance floor. A couple of my boys are bringing it in during halftime.”
Haynes tightens the grip on his beer. “I didn’t know you had any sons.”
