Lydia Summary

It's been 20 years since the woman has seen her friend Lydia, who has come back to town for the woman's father's funeral. Although Lydia's appearance is much more subdued due to her new religious frenzy, the woman can still remember Lydia's wild days and how her friend would risk punishment herself by covering for the woman's behavior. In return for her protection, Lydia would give the woman tokens from her evenings out such as hotel ashtrays, a man's handkerchief or other wicked object. Now Lydia leaves only is a book of psalms before leaving the woman again. The tokens have become less controversial.

Lydia Analysis

The tale of lost youth and the memories that are most likely better than the actual events is the theme of this story. Forbidden activities always are relished more than the permissible ones, but eventually age makes everything...