Dash said, “Well since I’m obviously not invited to this party, I’ll go see who that is.”
Dash opened the door and Lillian Bray came waddling in, her face beet red. “Dash Randall, what have you done?” she demanded.
“Me? I don’t think I’ve done anything.”
“Well you should have done something.” She rolled into the living room and turned on Savannah. “Honey, you can’t say no to Bill. I mean you and he are a foregone conclusion. It’s written in the stars. Made in Heaven. Y’all belong together. Now, honey, he’s on his way over, and you need to tell him that you’ve changed your mind.”
“Who is Bill?” Claire asked in a tone very much like Dame Judi Dench playing Queen Elizabeth in Shakespeare in Love.
“Oh, he’s the one who told you Savannah couldn’t leave because she’s getting married,” Miriam said as she poured another tumbler of sweet tea.
“The minister?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Dash supplied.
“Oh, my goodness,” Lillian said suddenly, “is that you, Katie Lynne. Why you’ve gotten so… old.”
Mom’s jawline tensed. “So have you, Miz Lillian.” Mom turned toward Savannah. “You have funding for the theater, and you’re marrying a minister? And all this happened in a month?”
Savannah shrugged. “Well, I guess things happen fast in Last Chance.”
Mom rolled her eyes. “My experience is that life moves at a snail’s pace here. And knowing your history with men, I’m thinking this development is a very dangerous sign. Hon, you’re always falling in love at the drop of a hat. And you’re always disappointed in the end. And I know how that goes. God, I know. I’ve been married three times. You can’t marry this man, not if you’ve only known him for a few weeks.”
“Oh, yes she can,” Lillian countered. “Miriam has blessed the match between Bill and Savannah. And what Miriam brings together stays together.”
Mom stared at Lillian and then at Aunt Miriam and then back. “You all are crazy,” she muttered. “Savannah, these people are crazy. You can’t live here.”
Just then Bill Ellis strolled through the open front door. “Hello, is anyone home?”
“C’mon in, Bill, your timing is impeccable, as usual,” Dash said. “We’re having a family get-together, and I have this feeling we may need spiritual guidance before it’s over.” Dash had resumed his place, leaning against the archway.
Bill strolled into the room bearing an Easter lily that he might actually have bought instead of picking from Lillian’s garden.
“Meet Savannah’s mother, Katie Lynne Brooks, and Savannah’s ex-mother-in-law, Claire White. Ladies, meet Reverend William Ellis, our minister at Christ Church.” Dash did the introductions in a voice that sounded low and brittle.
Bill didn’t smile. “I’m here for you, Savannah. What can I do?”
“Leave,” Claire said.
Lillian glared at Claire, and Claire dished it right back. It was a standoff as to who had the scarier evil eye.
“Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God,” Bill intoned.
Lillian turned. “That’s from Proverbs?” she asked.
“No, it’s from James, Lillian, and you’d be well to remember the sentiment.”
The church lady nodded and actually seemed to deflate. “You’re right, Bill, we should keep calm and try to sort this out.”
Savannah’s patience snapped.
“Look,” she said in a firm voice, staring right at Claire. “Bill is right, you need to stop talking and start listening. I don’t want to live in Baltimore. My life is no longer there. I will do whatever I can to make sure you both have a chance to spend time with Todd. I know you love him and want the best for him. But Todd is living with me. If you’d like to stay, that’s fine. You can join us for Easter dinner. But I won’t have any more demands, from any of you.”
She cast her gaze from Mom, to Claire, to Bill, and back again.
“And Mom, there is one last thing. I’m sick and tired of you always bringing me down. I have financing for the theater. There are people in this town who want to see it revived, and they’ve given me a grant. So don’t look down your nose at me. Don’t belittle my achievements. I’m not living your life. I’m living mine.”
“They gave you the money?” Mom asked. “Don’t you think that’s a little strange? I mean, usually people invest in a project.”
Before Savannah could address these questions, the door burst open again to admit the prodigal son and his canine.
“I found him,” Todd said. His announcement was completely unnecessary because Champ scampered