McGillys, Lily. Me, Benny Jack, you and Mimi, we’re all part of the most powerful family in FaulknerCounty. And besides, me and Judge Sanders play golf together every Wednesday, and half the time I lethim win. His son-in-law got himself in a spot of trouble a few years back, and I helped him out of it.
People in this county don’t forget names nor favors, Lily. There’s no way ole Jake Sanders would goagainst a McGilly.”
Lily pulled into the sock mill’s gravel parking lot. “I hope you’re right.”
Big Ben grinned. “Honey, in Faulkner County, I’m always right. I’m a McGilly.”
When Ben and Lily walked into the sock mill’s office, the clerical workers were abuzz, whispering
“here they come” and “won’t they be surprised.” One of them went to the restroom door and hollered,
“Jeanie! They’re here!”
“Just a second,” Jeanie called from behind the closed door. “We’ll be right out.”
“What’s going on?” Lily asked one of the office workers.
She smiled. “Let’s just say that somebody’s mamaw took her shopping.”
Jeanie opened the door, cooing, “Come on, let’s show Mama and Daddy.”
Mimi stood in the bathroom doorway, steadying herself against the door facing. She was wearing acake-frosting-pink dress, the skirt of which was so tiered with stiff, lacy ruffles that the little girl wasunable to lay her arms flat at her sides. Instead, she stood with her arms sticking out, like Mr. PotatoHead. Her tiny feet were encased in stiff white patent-leather Mary Janes, and a lacy headband with apink bow clued in anyone who might not yet have picked up on the fact that this was indeed a femalechild.
“So, what do you think?” Jeanie asked, beaming.
Lily started laughing — a more socially acceptable reaction than crying, which had been her otherimpulse. “She’s...she’s...a sight.” Mimi looked mad as hell, just like Charlotte used to look when she hadto wear a dress and high heels.
“Good god, Mother, how much did you pay for all that crap?” Ben asked.
“Now, Benny Jack, don’t you say a word. A mamaw’s got to splurge on her only granddaughter alittle bit. We just went over to the Little Princess shop in Callahan, and then after that we stopped atMcDonald’s for a Happy Meal.” Jeanie scooped Mimi up in her arms. “And Lord, you shoulda seen thisgirl put away them Chicken McNuggets!”
“She’s...she’s never eaten meat before.” Lily had pledged to raise Mimi a vegetarian, at least untilshe got old enough to make her own dietary decisions.
“Well, I’ll tell you what,” Jeanie said. “She eat them Chicken McNuggets like she was going to the