Part 3, Chapter 1 Summary

Laurel was tending to the garden at her father's house with the four elderly neighbors seated under the dogwood tree discussing the recent events. They surely wished Laurel were getting the house, as they never wanted to see that Fay person ever again. You wouldn't believe the state that house was in when the two of them had left for New Orleans that day… their bed wasn't even made! Fay could never cook either, so every Sunday that poor judge had to eat his meal at a restaurant, of all things. They only wish they could ask the judge one more question: what had happened to his judgment?

They also believed that Fay patterned herself after her own mother; after having seen the Chisom clan at the funeral. Nobody can really fault you for emulating your own mother, now can they...