to go into them because there are ladies present. Let’s just say that given these factors, we feel it would bein Mimi’s best interests to live with the remaining members of her biological family.”
“But Mike,” Lily interjected, “Ben is Mimi’s biological father.” So much for the honesty theory,she thought.
“Oh, I don’t believe that story for a minute. Mimi’s daddy was in some test tube at a sperm bank.”Mike’s bald spot flushed red, and a vein in his forehead bulged. “Just because you found some sissy tomarry you, just because you put on a dress and shaved your legs, that doesn’t change what you are—”
“Calm down, son—” Charles interrupted.
Heedless, Mike ranted on. “And don’t think for a second we don’t know who you are, Lily...
McGilly, as you call yourself. For whatever perverted purposes, you may claim to be a normal wife andmother, but deep down you’re still a godless, man-hating…”
A crash issued from upstairs as though a door had been ripped from its sockets. Something hugebarreled down the stairs and soon was standing on its hind legs with its front paws positioned on the armsof Mike’s chair. A low growl issued from its black, curled-back lips.
“Mordecai!” Big Ben hollered. “Down, boy!”
The rottweiler didn’t budge. Mike’s face, so recently aflame with anger, was now frozen in terror.
“Mordecai!” Lily called. “Down, boy”
Mordecai wagged his stump of a tail at Lily and moved his bulk to rest in front of her and Mimi,creating a physical barrier between them and the Maycombs.
“Oh, I see how it is.” Mike rose from his chair. His plaid pants looked suspiciously damp to Lily.
“You invite us down here so you can make a mockery of us. You sic your dog on us —”
“Now hold on a minute, buddy,” Big Ben interrupted. “We didn’t sic our dog on you. He was shutin the bedroom upstairs.”
“He musta heard you yelling at Lily,” Jeanie said. “Ever since Lily got here, Mordecai’s just tookto her. It’s like he’s her protector —”
“My knight in shining flea collar,” Lily said, hoping a joke would lighten the bleak situation. Itdidn’t.
“Well...” Ida was holding her purse in her lap. “It’s getting awfully late.” She looked at Charleshopefully.
He picked up his cue. “Yes, it is, and we’ve got a long drive ahead of us. Thank you for dinner—”
“Wait,” Ben said. Everyone’s head turned toward him. “My wife and I asked you here tonight inhopes that we could settle our differences outside a court-room. Now, Lily and I have talked about this alot, and we both agree that you can see Mimi as often as you like— as long as you agree to respect the