On the first weekend of October, Jean Back came home from the college she attended, Louisiana State University, in Baton Rouge, for the Cole High School homecoming. Saturday afternoon, she visited the Katz-Meyer home.
Karl was away playing golf, Joe was taking a nap; Miriam was on the front porch, listening to the radio.
"Hi," Jean said, as she walked up the sidewalk.
Miriam quickly turned off the radio, and arose to greet Heidi's friend.
"My baby, how are you!" Miriam cordially said.
"Fine. I've missed everyone so much!"
"L. S. U. seems to be agreeing with you. You look so good."
"Doesn't every college kid look different when they return home, Miriam?" Jean replied.
"Come with me to the kitchen," Miriam said. "It's time for my afternoon coffee!"
The two talked and talked, between sips of coffee, about Jean's school life, the latest Cole gossip, and, of course, Heidi.
"Heidi is so homesick!" Miriam said. "But Uncle Karl insists she not come home until Thanksgiving! He's determined she stay away from home and get used to life in the big city."
"Does Heidi call often?" Jean asked.
"Don't be misled," Miriam replied. "If Heidi doesn't call, we call her!"
They both nervously laughed, and talked some more.
By the time the two of them walked to the front porch, Karl, having returned from his golf game, and Joe, having waked from his nap, were both there. They all exchanged pleasantries, and Jean departed down the sidewalk.
As Miriam was walking back to the kitchen, the telephone rang. She ran to the one in the hall.
"Hello."
"This is Heidi."
"Heidi! Your best friend just walked out of here!"
"Is Jean home?" Heidi cried.
"Yes, baby. She came home for the high school homecoming game," Miriam replied.
"Why the hell can't I come home?"
"You know what Uncle Karl says is best for now!"
"Hell!" Heidi said. "I want to come home for a weekend!"
"You've picked up quite a vocabulary in New Orleans!" Miriam said.
"Damn right," Heidi said. "I want to come home for a weekend!"
"I'll think about it," Miriam said.
"Why is it always Uncle Karl making the decisions? Doesn't Daddy have any say in the matter?"
"We must respect those with money," Miriam calmly replied.
"I miss all of you so much," Heidi said.
"I'll discuss this with Uncle Karl--and your dad--tonight," Miriam said.
"Please do! I miss all of you so much!"
At the dinner table that night, an air of tension prevailed. Things on the farm weren't going well, Karl's golf score for the day was bad, and Miriam's left knee was hurting. Nevertheless, she could not forget her daughter's plea.
"I hate to mention this," she began, as they all lit cigarettes and poured coffee, "but I talked to Heidi on the phone this afternoon."
"Here we go again," Joe said.
"Shut up, Joe," Miriam said. She then turned to Karl. "Heidi wants to come home before Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is almost two months off."
"I don't know," Karl said.
The telephone rang.
Miriam, as usual, answered.
"Miriam," Lu said, "I'm having a few friends over later for drinks. Nothing big. I meant to call you sooner, but I didn't have the time. Would the three of you like to come over?"
"Oh, I don't really know, Lu."
"Don't say that," Lu said. Come on over and have a few drinks!"
"I don't know," Miriam replied. "Heidi might call. I need an answering service."
Miriam paused. She looked toward Karl and Joe who, at the same time, said, "No!"
"Well," Miriam said, "you might be missing Karl and Joe, but I'll come over a little while."
"Wonderful!" Lu said. "You'll be the life of the party!"
"I'll be right over."
After Miriam hung up, she walked to her room. Opening the closet, she changed into a summer, sleeveless, purple dress, and adjusted the belt. She then slipped on some shoes, and brushed through her ageless, black hair. She threw a pack of cigarettes into her purse, checked her face again, and went back to the kitchen.
"Before I go, Karl, tell me whether or not you approve of Heidi coming home before Thanksgiving. I can't be worrying about this all night."
"She can't come home before Thanksgiving, Miriam!" Karl replied.
The party was in full swing as Miriam entered Lu's house.
"Good evening, Miss Miriam," Anna said. "Everyone is on the back patio!"
"Hello," Miriam said, spreading her usual charm, as she made her entrance onto the patio.
During the course of the evening, Lu tried to encourage Miriam about Heidi's situation in New Orleans.
"Don't worry about it, dear," Lu said. "Remember, you and I both have relatives there! By now, I would think that Heidi has made some friends. Isn't she in a sorority?"
"I suppose, Miriam replied. "It'll sure be nice to see her at Thanksgiving."
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