Free The Widows of Eden by George Shaffner Page A

have gotten dozens of requests, and not just for rain.”
    I added, “They’re coming out of the woodwork, Mr. Moore. It’s Circle girls with family sickness and financial troubles mostly, but they all want to see you. What do we tell them?”
    He pondered our predicament for a minute, then inquired, “Can you make me a list?”
    â€œA list? Of everyone?”
    â€œYes, all of them.”
    â€œBut there are so many. You won’t possibly be able to see them all.”
    â€œI don’t intend to try.”
    â€œThen why do you need a list?”
    â€œI’m not the only fish in the sea, Wilma. Maybe there are others who can help.”
    â€œLike your widow friends?”
    â€œPossibly. If you and Loretta will be kind enough to make me a list, I’ll see what I can do. How is Hail Mary? Was she at the Abattoir today?”
    Loretta shrugged. “She sent her best. So did Lily Park Pickett and Bebe Palouse. They’re all looking forward to seeing you. Dot said hello, too.”
    â€œI understand that I was on the agenda, or was it my deal with Clem?”
    â€œThe latter, mostly. Just out of curiosity, have you told anybody else about it?”
    â€œNo. Why?”
    â€œWe’re concerned that news of the deal might leak. If it does, I doubt that the people of Ebb will appreciate your position, probably because none of us do. We’re afraid we could have a small uprising on our hands. Do you understand?”
    â€œI do, Lo. You can report to the board that my lips are sealed. In return, all I ask is that you and the other members have a little faith in me.”
    â€œThat’s not fair, Vern. We’re women; we’re the faithful gender. But none of us can figure out why you have to make a choice between Clem and the weather. You didn’t with me.”
    â€œAs I recall, there was no shortage of rain when your heart stopped beating. Besides, I played no role in your recovery. That was either your pluck or divine intervention. I just happened to be venting my anger in the vicinity.”
    â€œNobody buys that, Vern. The people of Ebb believe it was you.”
    â€œThen their faith is about to be tested, Lo. Yours, too. A deal is a deal.”
    That sounded like another kung fu conversation ender to me, but Loretta replied smoothly, “Uh uh, darlin’. You can’t test my faith because I know two things for certain: you’re going to do something extraordinary this week; and you’ll disappear when you’re done. Between now and then, Wilma and I will stand behind any decision you make and we’ll do whatever we can to keep the people of Ebb from assaulting you at every street corner. But in return, you have to reciprocate. You have to have some faith in us, too.”
    â€œBut I do. I have complete faith in both of you.”
    â€œThen why don’t we know anything about you? If you have faith in Wilma and me, then answer three questions about yourself. Just three easy questions. We won’t tell anyone what you say; not Cal, or Clem, not anybody in the Circle. No one.”
    â€œJust between us?”
    â€œWe won’t tell anyone; not a soul.”
    Mr. Moore put down his knife and fork and wiped his hands on his napkin. Then he pushed his chair back from the table, crossed his legs, and said, “Okay.”
    Before he could change his mind, Lo asked, “Where have you been in the last two years?”
    â€œIn the western half of the United States, plus England, Italy, Japan, and North Africa.”
    â€œDo you help people in those other places like you help us here?”
    â€œFrom time to time, but only in the U.S. as a rule.”
    â€œDo you work with your widow friends? Are they involved?”
    â€œYes.”
    There it was, and without a word of explanation. I couldn’t help it. “They are?” I said. “How?”
    Mr. Moore scooted his chair up to the table and picked up