I move over to Miss Skeeter, but she wrinkle her nose up at me and say, No, thanks, cause she dont eat no eggs. I tell Miss Leefolt ever time she have the bridge club and she make me do them eggs anyways. She scared Miss Hilly be disappointed.
Finally, I do Miss Leefolt. She the hostess so she got to pick up her eggs last. And soon as Im done, Miss Hilly say, Dont mind if I do, and snatch herself two more eggs, which dont surprise me.
Guess who I ran into at the beauty parlor? Miss Hilly say to the ladies.
Whos that? ask Miss Leefolt.
Celia Foote. And do you know what she asked me? If she could help with the Benefit this year.
Good, Miss Skeeter say. We need it.
Not that bad, we dont. I told her, I said, Celia, you have to be a League member or a sustainer to participate. What does she think the Jackson League is? Open rush?
Arent we taking nonmembers this year? Since the Benefits gotten so big? Miss Skeeter ask.
Well, yes, Miss Hilly say. But I wasnt about to tell her that.
I cant believe Johnny married a girl so tacky like she is, Miss Leefolt say and Miss Hilly nod. She start dealing out the bridge cards.
I spoon out the congealed salad and the ham sandwiches, cant help but listen to the chatter. Only three things them ladies talk about: they kids, they clothes, and they friends. I hear the word Kennedy[4], I know they aint discussing no politic. They talking about what Miss Jackie[5] done wore on the tee-vee.
When I get around to Miss Walter, she dont take but one little old half a sandwich for herself.
Mama, Miss Hilly yell at Miss Walter, take another sandwich. You are skinny as a telephone pole. Miss Hilly look over at the rest a the table. I keep telling her, if that Minny cant cook she needs to just go on and fire her.
My ears perk up at this. They talking bout the help. Im best friends with Minny.
Minny cooks fine, say ole Miss Walter. Im just not so hungry like I used to be.
Minny near bout the best cook in Hinds County[6], maybe even all a Mississippi. The Junior League Benefit come around ever fall and they be wanting her to make ten caramel cakes to auction off. She ought a be the most sought-after help in the state. Problem is, Minny got a mouth on her[7]. She always talking back. One day it be the white manager a the Jitney Jungle grocery, next day it be her husband, and ever day its gone be the white lady she waiting on. The only reason she waiting on Miss Walter so long is Miss Walter be deaf as a doe-nob.
I think youre malnutritioned, Mama, holler Miss Hilly. That Minny isnt feeding you so that she can steal every last heirloom I have left. Miss Hilly huff out a her chair. Im going to the powder room. Yall watch her in case she collapses dead of hunger.
When Miss Hilly gone, Miss Walter say real low, I bet youd love that. Everbody act like they didnt hear. I better call Minny tonight, tell her what Miss Hilly said.
In the kitchen, Baby Girls up in her high chair, got purple juice all over her face. Soon as I walk in, she smile. She dont make no fuss being in here by herself, but I hate to leave her too long. I know she stare at that door real quiet till I come back.
I pat her little soft head and go back out to pour the ice tea. Miss Hillys back in her chair looking all bowed up about something else now.
Oh Hilly, I wish youd use the guest bathroom, say Miss Leefolt, rearranging her cards. Aibileen doesnt clean in the back until after lunch.
Hilly raise her chin up. Then she give one a her ah-hems. She got this way a clearing her throat real delicate-like that get everbodys attention without they even knowing she made em do it.
But the guest bathrooms where the help goes, Miss Hilly say.
Nobody says anything for a second. Then Miss Walter nod, like she explaining it all. Shes upset cause the Nigra uses the inside bathroom and so do we.
Law, not this mess again. They all look over at me straightening the silver drawer in the sideboard and I know its time for me to leave. But before I can get the last spoon in there, Miss Leefolt give me the look, say, Go get some more tea, Aibileen.
Law, not this mess again. They all look over at me straightening the silver drawer in the sideboard and I know its time for me to leave. But before I can get the last spoon in there, Miss Leefolt give me the look, say, Go get some more tea, Aibileen.
I go like she tell me to, even though they cups is full to the rim.
I stand around the kitchen a minute but I aint got nothing left to do in there. I need to be in the dining room so I can finish my silver straightening. And I still got the napkin cabinet to sort through today but its in the hall, right outside where they setting. I dont want a stay late just cause Miss Leefolt playing cards.
I wait a few minutes, wipe a counter. Give Baby Girl more ham and she gobble it up. Finally, I slip out to the hall, pray nobody see me.
All four of em got a cigarette in one hand, they cards in the other. Elizabeth, if you had the choice, I hear Miss Hilly say, wouldnt you rather them take their business outside?