When we come back into the front living room, Williams pointing his finger at Stuart. Im going to run for that seat and by God, with your daddys
Stuart Whitworth, Hilly announces, Id like to introduce Skeeter Phelan.
Stuart Whitworth, Hilly announces, Id like to introduce Skeeter Phelan.
He stands up, and for a minute my head is perfectly quiet inside. I make myself look like self-inflicted torture as he takes me in.
Stuart here went to school over at the University of Alabama, William says, adding, Roll Tide.
Nice to meet you. Stuart flips me a brief smile. Then he takes a long slurp of his drink until I hear the ice clink against his teeth. So where we off to? he asks William.
We take Williams Oldsmobile to the Robert E. Lee Hotel. Stuart opens my door and sits beside me in the back, but then leans over the seat talking to William about deer season the rest of the ride.
At the table, he pulls out my chair for me and I sit, smile, say thank you.
You want a drink? he asks me, not looking my way.
No, thanks. Just water, please.
He turns to the waiter and says, Double Old Kentucky straight with a water back.
I guess its some time after his fifth bourbon, I say, So Hilly tells me youre in the oil business. That must be interesting.
The moneys good. If thats what you really want to know.
Oh, I didnt But I stop because hes craning his neck at something. I look up and see hes staring at a woman whos at the door, a busty blonde with red lipstick and a tight green dress.
William turns to see what Stuarts looking at, but he swings back around quickly. He shakes his head no, very slightly, at Stuart and I see, heading out the door, its Hillys old boyfriend, Johnny Foote, with his new wife, Celia. They leave and William and I glance at each other, sharing our relief that Hilly didnt see them.
Lord, that girls hot as Tunica blacktop, Stuart says under his breath and I suppose thats when I just stop caring what happens.
At some point, Hilly looks at me to see whats going on. I smile like everythings fine and she smiles back, happy to see its all working out. William! The lieutenant-governor just walked in. Lets go speak before he sits down.
They go off together, leaving us, the two lovebirds sitting on the same side of the table, staring at all the happy couples in the room.
So, he says, hardly turning his head. You ever go to any of the Alabama football games?
I never even made it to Colonel Field and that was five thousand yards from my bed. No, Im not really a football fan. I look at my watch. Its hardly seven-fifteen.
That so. He eyes the drink the waiter has handed him like hed really enjoy downing it. Well, what do you do with your time?
I write a domestic maintenance column for the Jackson Journal.
He wrinkles his brow, then laughs. Domestic maintenance. You mean housekeeping?
I nod.
Jesus. He stirs his drink. I cant think of anything worse than reading a column on how to clean house, he says, and I notice that his front tooth is the slightest bit crooked. I long to point this imperfection out to him, but he finishes his thought with, Except maybe writing it.
I just stare at him.
Sounds like a ploy to me, to find a husband. Becoming an expert on keeping house.
Well, you must be a genius. Youve figured out my whole scheme.
Isnt that what you women from Ole Miss major in? Professional husband-hunting?
I watch him, dumbfounded. I may notve had a date in umpteen years, but who does he think he is?
Im sorry, but were you dropped on your head as an infant?
He blinks at me, then laughs for the first time all night.
Not that its any of your business, I say, but I had to start somewhere if I plan on being a journalist. I think Ive actually impressed him. But then he throws back the drink and the look is gone.
We eat dinner, and from his profile I can see his nose is a little pointy. His eyebrows are too thick, and his light-brown hair too coarse. We say little else, to each other at least. Hilly chats, throwing things our way like, Stuart, Skeeter here lives on a plantation just north of town. Didnt the senator grow up on a peanut farm?
Stuart orders yet another drink.
When Hilly and I go to the bathroom, she gives me a hopeful smile. What do you think?
Hes tall, I say, surprised she hasnt noticed that not only is my date inexplicably rude, but drop-dead drunk.
The end of the meal finally comes and he and William split the check[88]. Stuart stands up and helps me with my jacket. At least he has nice manners.
Jesus, Ive never met a woman with such long arms, he says.
Well, Ive never met anybody with such a drinking problem.
Your coat smells like He leans down and sniffs it, grimacing. Fertilizer.
He strides off to the mens room and I wish I could disappear.
The car ride, all three minutes of it, is impossibly silent. And long.
We go back inside Hillys house. Yule May comes out in her white uniform, says, They all fine, went to bed good, and she slips out through the kitchen door. I excuse myself to the bathroom.
Skeeter, why dont you drive Stuart home? William says when I come out. Im bushed, arent you, Hilly?