The Darling Dahlias and the Eleven O'Clock Lady

“Too true,” Ophelia agreed with a laugh. “But Liz told me that her mother says that in private, Mr. Dunlap is a tiger.”


“Well, you can’t beat that,” Lucy said. “And speak of the devil, here comes Liz. And Verna.”

“Hello, girls,” Verna said. She was carrying a bottle of ginger ale in one hand and four paper Dixie cups in the other. “Is this a private confab, or do you have room for us?”

“There’s plenty of room,” Ophelia said, eyeing the bottle. “I see you brought refreshments. That wouldn’t be bubbly, would it?”

“Don’t I wish,” Verna said, laughing. “Just plain old ginger ale. But suitable for toasting.” She began filling cups for everybody.

“What’s the grand occasion?” Lucy asked, reaching for a cup.

Verna grinned and slid onto the picnic table bench next to Ophelia. “It’s Liz’s occasion. And it’s not just grand, it’s spectacular!”

Liz sat down beside Lucy. “It’s a miracle, is what it is,” she said, all smiles. “On Saturday, I got a letter from my literary agent, Nadine Fleming. She wrote that she liked Sabrina very much, just as it was, and planned to show it to an editor she knows. Last night, she called long-distance to tell me that she had showed it to him and he’s agreed to publish it! And Nadine says I need to begin another one, right away.” She shook her head. “I still can’t believe this is happening. Maybe I’m just dreaming it.”

“You’re not dreaming!” Lucy cried, flinging an arm around Liz’s shoulders. “It’s all real—and all wonderful!”

“Liz, that’s so exciting!” Ophelia exclaimed. “I can’t wait to read it!”

“I’ll bet it wouldn’t have happened if you had married Grady,” Verna muttered knowingly. “You’d be having babies instead of books.”

Ophelia glanced over to the swimming hole, where Sarah was executing a perfect dive. “There’s something to be said for babies, you know.”

“Of course there is,” Lucy agreed. “There’s everything to be said for babies. But we’re glad that Liz is having a book, instead. At least, this year.” She lifted her Dixie cup. “Here’s to you, Liz. And to Sabrina.”

Verna stood up. “To Liz and Sabrina,” she said.

They all rose. “To Liz and Sabrina,” they said in unison, and lifted their Dixie cups together.





Historical Note