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old men.”
    “That they are, Ned,” Martha agreed. “Where’s Kate tonight? I didn’t see her.”
    “One of the cows has gone into calf,” he explained. “Gonna be a long night.” He reached into his back pocket. “Got somethin’ for the little one,” Ned said to Sherry. When he opened his hand, there was a small keychain with a butterfly pendant. He handed it to her. “Saw it the other day in Nellie’s shop. They’ve got all kinds of insect ones there. She’d a loved it.”
    Sherry gave Ned a kiss on the cheek. “Thanks Ned. I’ll bring her by tomorrow so she can thank you.”
    “Love to hear it,” he said with a twinkle in his eye, like he really believed that one day she would say it.
     
    …
     
    “Carl! Another round!” Martha’s index and middle fingers were in the air, signaling to the bartender.
    “God, I don’t think I need another one,” Sherry whined. “My head’s swimmin’.” Her hand went to her forehead as she swept her curls back. Martha playfully elbowed her and Sherry smiled ruefully.
    “Girl, you ain’t had enough ‘til I say so.” She put her hand on her chest and emphasized the word ‘I’. “Besides, Sarah and Leon are with Denise.” Martha chuckled. “Lord, what kind of conversation must they must be havin’.” She took the last swig of her beer before the bartender removed the empty bottle. “A homo, a pregnant lady, and a mute…no offense.”
    Sherry looked at her through glazed eyes. “I’m too drunk to take offense.”
    Martha laughed hysterically. “Can you imagine? I sure bet Leon’s glad sometimes the lil’ lass can’t speak.” She wiped a tear from her eye.
    “That’s true,” Sherry slurred.
    “Compliments of the gentlemen at the bar.” The bartender dropped off their next round of drinks. He looked up at the two men sitting on stools, watching a sports show on the overhead television. They both looked at the girls and grinned mischievously.
    “Well if I wasn’t married, I’d be hittin’ on you right about now,” Martha murmured, winking at the blonde.
    “Careful, that’s Bob Greensman’s boy,” Sherry advised. “He’s a little young for you.”
    “Damn, I’d no idea Greensman’s boy grew up that good.”
    The blonde winked at Sherry, too. She lifted her hand. “Hey Blake. Saw your dad at the town meetin’ earlier.”
    Blake’s eyes widened. He lowered his head and turned his back.
    Martha moaned. “What’d ya go and do that for?”
    “I was savin’ yer honor. You have any idea how fast word would get around if you and him started flirtin’? It’s bad enough we accepted the drinks.”
    Martha put her full beer down beside Sherry’s. “Here. You ain’t drunk enough,” she pressed. Martha noticed the entrance door open. “Well, lookie who showed up.” Jenny Martin walked in with an unknown male. “I doubt that’s her babysitter,” Martha sneered.
    “It could be her brother.”
    “Not from what I heard of her.”
    “I met her today. She seems nice enough.”
    Martha ignored the defensive tone. “You talk to Karen lately? According to her, Jenny’s son’s a rebel. Looks like the apple don’t fall far from the tree.”
    “Just because she shows up at a bar with a male friend doesn’t make her a rebel,” Sherry disputed.
    Martha paid no heed to the comment. “People often wonder why men leave girls like that. It’s no mystery to me.”
    Sherry took a sip of beer, wondering what else her friend thought of husband-less women.
    Jenny spied Sherry sitting at the table as she and her friend approached the bar.
    “Oh, hey…Sherry, is it?” Jenny asked awkwardly, offering her hand. “How ya doin’?”
    “I’m fine, thanks. This is my friend Martha. Her son goes to my daughter’s school,” Sherry explained, introducing Martha.
    “This is my friend Steven,” Jenny gestured. “Steven, this is Sherry…she works at Peach Tree Clothing.”
    Steven was tall and dressed very well for a bar. He had a phony