Free The Litter of the Law by Rita Mae Brown Page A

or something like that. I guess what really gets my blood up is the assumption those teachers weren’t as well educated. Howard? Grambling?The list of excellent black colleges can go on. The teachers may have gone to segregated colleges, but tell you what, I never met any graduate of those colleges who wasn’t well educated.”
    “Racism is subtle and not so subtle.” Susan grabbed a cookie from the plate that Reverend Jones had placed on the table.
    “So is sexism,” said BoomBoom.
    “Yes, but you ladies have so many ways to even the score,” Neil teased her.
    “Don’t forget that, Neil,” BoomBoom teased him right back.
    “Not to ignore this fascinating history,” interjected Wesley, “but what I deduce from this is that the county, which could realize high profits on those buildings, won’t for political reasons?”
    “Don’t you think it depends on the budget?” said Harry. “We’re in hard times. If the Board of County Commissioners wants to let those buildings and the land go, this would be the time.”
    “If they’re willing to put up with the protest that our history is being demolished,” said Neil, in between bites of a chocolate chip cookie. “Here’s what I think. Use them or sell them. To keep the land idle, just sitting there, is stupid.”
    “Do you think Buddy would sell his hundred acres to the county?” Wesley asked.
    “They wouldn’t need it,” Harry replied.
    “Probably not,” said Wesley. “I mean, if a housing development was part of the plan, yes. Otherwise, no. It does seem wasteful, though. The schoolhouses just abandoned and going to ruin.”
    Susan simply said, “I say restore the buildings as a museum. It could be a good lesson for all and those rooms have cozy, lovely proportions. I’m like Reverend Jones, everything today is too antiseptic and big. I’m really tired of big.”

    After an hour of lively talk, the group began to trickle out. Harry, Susan, and BoomBoom stayed longest, helping Herb clean up, washing dishes and glasses.
    Drying her hands, BoomBoom remarked to Harry, “I was so sorry to hear that Big Mim lost the Medaglia d’Oro filly. Stunning, that filly.”
    “Fair was devastated. He thought she was one of the most perfectly formed horses he had ever seen. Big Mim was, well, in tears according to Fair, but still took it like a trooper. Being a grandmother was a comfort, I think.”
    “Heard she doesn’t like the boy’s name, Roland.”
    “Little Mim and Blair love the ancient history of Roland at the Roncevaux Pass. ’Course, Big Mim just ignored it and calls him Roy.”
    BoomBoom laughed. “Those two never have gotten along. Still, they do love each other.”
    “Would you want to be Big Mim’s daughter?” asked Harry.
    “No,” the blonde replied. “I love being her friend, though.”
    “Me, too. She’s one hell of a horsewoman.”
    They nattered on, Susan chiming in as she wiped down the coffee table, Herb as he put away glasses. Each lady kissed Herb’s cheek, then each other as they left St. Luke’s.
    On the drive home, the stars glittered in pale silver light. Friday would be a full moon.
    “Good meeting.” Susan hit her brights. “At least Neil isn’t talking about algorithms anymore. He gave a straightforward treasurer’s report.”
    “He’s figuring out that simple is better,” Harry said. “Always is, too, no matter what the subject.”
    “Ned says what drives him crazy about his fellow politicians in Richmond is how they complicate things to make themselves look smarter. He also said the level of discourse is so low a manof average intelligence has to stoop to match it.” She smiled. “But there are some good people there in both chambers. He likes working with David Toscano and he likes working with some of the people from the farming counties. He’s not too thrilled with the ones from northern Virginia.”
    “Like I said before, he’s a glutton for punishment.”
    They rounded the curve, Mount Tabor up