So there I was scrunched up in the backseat of Bridgy’s perky red two-door response to her divorce. So much for ironing my skirt and blouse; by the time I unfolded out of this seat, I’d look like I’d taken a nap fully dressed.
As we pulled into the church parking lot, I was delighted that a large turnout was in the making. Delia, who’d never hurt another living being, not four legged, two legged or winged, deserved a royal send-off, and from the size of the crowd heading to the church, she was going to get one.
We parked at the far end of the lot in the spaces reserved for those going to the cemetery.
Aunt Ophie got out of the car, read the “reserved for cemetery vehicles” sign and started to bluster. “Why didn’t y’all tell me we were going to the cemetery? In this car we look like a fire engine in the Fourth of July parade. You should have let me know. I would’ve driven.”
I was still struggling out of the backseat. I’d decided butt-first was the easiest way to go, so I was giving Ophie a perfect view of my thoughts on the matter. Bridgy, who was remarkably patient with her aunt, even on this stressful morning, said, “Aunt Ophie, darlin’, it would be too much for you to drive from here to the mainland and back, given the unfamiliar roads and all.”
By the time I was out of the car and upright, Ophie was nodding in agreement as though she hadn’t had her own words thrown back at her by her smiling niece.
I was smoothing the front of my skirt, trying to force the new wrinkles to lay flat, when Ophie saw Ryan crossing the parking lot. He was dressed in gray slacks and a white shirt with a blue and green striped tie, the one garment I would have sworn he didn’t own.
“There is that nice deputy. Oh, I wonder if his handsome friend is here.” And she began yoo-hooing Ryan, in a tone a bit louder than circumstances would dictate.
As Ryan headed our way, Ophie turned to me. “Should we tell him now? Tell him we’ll help in any way we can?”
“Not the time. Certainly not the place.” And I was happy to see her nod in agreement.
Ophie wasted no time in inquiring about Frank Anthony. “Where’s your friend, the one who so liked my buttermilk pie?”
“Don’t you worry your pretty little head, Miss Ophelia. He’s here. Lots of deputies here. You can’t be too sure who’ll show up at a murder victim’s funeral.”
Murder victim—that still sent chills down my spine. I left Bridgy and Ophie chatting with Ryan and started to scout around the parking lot looking for an unexpected face, one that usually hides under a bucket hat. But no luck. I waved across the parking lot to Fern and was pleased to see Holly and Maggie walking into the church with Lisette. I spotted Rowena crossing the street deep in conversation with Judge Harcroft. Talk about an odd couple. Still, I was happy that the book clubs were well represented.
Bridgy came out of nowhere and grabbed my arm, steering me inside. We took seats on the center aisle, opposite an open window with a large fan spinning at top speed. Even this time of year, a crowded church could get uncomfortably warm. I noticed Ophie clutched a lace-trimmed hankie, ready to mop and sop as needed.
The pews filled quickly. The organist began to play a soft, but unfamiliar, tune. Dressed in his cassock, Pastor John came out on the dais from a side room, with two young acolytes at his heels. He fussed with some papers on the pulpit while one of his helpers straightened the numeral seven that had fallen askew on the hymn board. Then Pastor moved to the center of the dais and faced the rear of the church. The organist started the prelude to the entrance hymn, and we all stood as Pastor John walked to the doorway to greet the family and welcome Miss Delia into the church for the last time.
When the processional came down the center aisle, I was again struck by how shrunken and timeworn Miss Augusta had become. She didn’t quite reach the shoulders of the two middle-aged men, one balding, the other with a paunch that completely hid his belt, who flanked her, and neither of them was any taller than average. I guessed they were Delia’s nephews, although I didn’t see a speck of family resemblance.