Hortons Bend

but simply smiled and decided to wait to see if they might feel uncomfortable by her lack of retort. The ladies briefly kept eye contact with her but then began to look around the room for any future lambs that might be preyed upon. Barbara’s pride could not contain her self so she chose to strike before they moved on to their next kill. “Ladies I’m sure you’re aware that the museum is a non-profit entity and our generous donations keep the lights on so I’m not sure by what you mean regarding Herschel Banner’s role in sustaining our operations.” Shelby had forgotten Mrs. Peabody was even present and knew a challenge when she heard one. “Oh Barbara we know the museum does nicely but we couldn’t help but hear from Ester that Herschel has a special place in his heart for the museum but that he can be controlling at times. What was he talking about earlier Susan? Something having to do with that wretched little part of our fair county called Horton’s Bend being off limits to the museum?” Mrs. Josephine smiled and nodded in agreement. “We all have to live within our means and do what we have to do in such times as these.” Shelby moved her hand around the room as she said this. Barbara simply smiled and said “you’re quite right” as she walked away.
    Barbara stood in another part of the room deciding what she wanted to do . She felt exhausted from the combative conversation with the ladies. And her ankles were throbbing from standing so long. Horton’s Bend? What in the hell did that have to do with anything? And what did Ester Bloodworth know anyway? Barbara had never even seen this part of the county and yet it had been the impetus of what was now becoming a full blown migraine. Excusing herself from some guests, excluding the hosts, she decided to gather her sweater and go home for the evening. Her exhaustion left her unable to remember the antonym of sublime as she drove home.
    Steve Price got into his bed around 3am Saturday morning. He had seen no unusual traffic and wished that he had gone home shortly after the two county employees drove away. While he didn’t see any vehicles enter or leave the Horton farm, Price did notice an unusual greenish glow near the river around 1am. The night had turned somewhat foggy around that time but cleared up shortly. He chalked it off to the lantern glow of someone fishing the Oostanaula at an ungodly hour.
    Chapter 14
    When Paul Brody woke Saturday morning, he could hear his wife in the kitchen. He decided not to get out of bed just yet but rather lie there and listen to the sounds she was making. Pans rattled and the oven door was opened and closed several times. Brody really wasn’t hungry but knew he would be within the next hour. He re-stuffed his pillows and stretched his legs to pass the time. Once, he feigned sleeping while Lacy passed through the bedroom to go to the bathroom. Brody didn’t feel especially anxious but did force his mind to concentrate on anything other than his plans this evening. He stared out of the window and could hear birds chirping in the yard. The sunshine was fairly bright and he assumed it must be around 8:30am or so. Finally he sat up in bed and came to the conclusion that he would start moving around in another ten minutes or so.
    Brody quietly wen t into the closet and found a pair of blue jeans and t-shirt to wear. After putting on some socks he slipped into a pair of Converse hi-tops and walked into the dining room. Lacy looked up from the day’s newspaper and smiled. “I was just about to come wake you up. Good morning” she said. Brody smiled and came over to give her a hug. “Smells wonderful. Have you already eaten?” he asked. “Oh I nibbled on a few things. Go ahead and sit down. I’ll make you a plate.” Brody did as instructed and reached for the paper. The headline read “Local Commissioners Meeting Again Next Week”. The article underneath was vague about what they were convening for so he moved on to the second page. Lacy put his plate on the table and he sat the paper over to the side. The smell of the freshly buttered biscuits and grits brought on his hunger with a relish. Lacy sat down and watched her husband eat his breakfast. Brody finished eating and wiped his mouth. “What do you have planned for today hon?” he asked. “Oh I don’t know. Hang out here with you till noon I guess and then maybe go over to that nursery near the bypass. I heard they are having a plant sale so I