Saturday morning, Taylor joined his sister, Mildred, for breakfast at the Waffle House.
"I'm so sorry about all this," Mildred said.
"Well, I have only myself to blame," Taylor said. "My real concern now is the children. Sam's nineteen and Barbara's fifteen, and they're either going to hate me--or--I don't know! I don't want them taking sides!"
"Nobody's perfect," said Mildred, lighting a cigarette.
"There's also this mess with Clarence Donovan. I knew he wasn't perfect, either, but he's on the verge of losing his pharmacy if he doesn't straighten things up."
"People in Cole have an amazing way of forgiving," Mildred said. "Why, if everyone here was judged by the scandals, that is, if no one forgave, we'd have no community. No one would be speaking to each other!"
"I'm going to call Ginger today and see if we can talk."
"Good idea," Mildred said.
Later that day, Leora Carter answered the phone when Taylor called Ginger.
"May I please speak to Ginger?" Taylor asked.
"Who's calling?" Leora sarcastically replied.
"Please let me speak to my wife!"
There was a pause.
"Ginger, this is Taylor."
"Why are you calling?" Ginger asked.
"You might not go along with this, but I want us to have a meeting, to talk, soon."
"When?"
"As soon as possible, Ginger! Whether you know it or not, I still love you. I want to see our children. I can't seem to keep up with them."
"Keep up with them?" Ginger angrily replied. "We're the ones who can't keep up with you!"
"Why don't we meet out at the lake?"
"Fine. What time?"
"One thirty."
"See you then."
Taylor showered, shaved, and dressed, anticipating the afternoon ahead.
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