Quiet.
Peaceful.
Normal.
At least on the surface.
The Magnolia Ladies remained.
Of course they did.
Mrs. Jenkins watched the last truck disappear.
Then looked at me.
"You love her."
I closed my eyes.
Slowly.
Painfully.
"Please go away."
Betty patted my arm.
"No."
Doris smiled.
"We're invested now. Besides, we promised Hank we would cook him a fried chicken dinner with all the trimmings."
I walked away before I said something unkind.
Behind me, three elderly women burst into laughter.
Again.
Later That Evening
The sun had started dropping behind the mountains.
Long shadows stretched across the ranch.
I stood near the barn.
Watching.
Listening.
Waiting.
The boys were feeding horses.
Hank was inside.
The Magnolia Ladies had finally left.
