Ch. 16f Tomorrow is Another Day

[Philulhu]

Saturday March 14th, 1931 9.30am
Hebert House, Middle Ridge Road, Johnson Bayou, Cameron Parish, Louisiana

After the lateness of the evening before, everyone rose slightly later the next day. Mrs Hebert prepared a breakfast of coffee, juice and a stack of freshly cooked pancakes.

As they tucked in, she said, ”What will you be doing today? Nothing as exciting as last night, I shouldn’t think!”

[Silver Priest]

"I believe I'll be visiting Nashoba today. I want to see if he's in any state to answer some questions." Alex says. He offers the requisite compliments on their host's cooking, but to be honest his heart's not fully in it. He knows there are horrors in this area that defy comprehension. And yet again he finds himself on a collusion course with them. But perhaps this was to be his lot in life. Cursed to know the future, he and his friends needed to fight to protect the present.

[Mr. Handy]

"I hope it's not as exciting as last night," says William. "Do exciting things usually happen here, or are we just lucky?" He nods to Alex. "I'd like to see him again too."

[Philulhu]

Mrs Hebert pursued her lip disapprovingly. ”Was he involved in last night’s events? I shouldn’t put it past him!” she said.

[Mr. Handy]

"He does seem to have had some involvement," says William, "though he also seemed surprised by some of what happened. I'm hoping he'll have something to say about it since he's had some sleep and come to his senses."

[Bullfrog]

"God have mercy on his soul." Lawrence mumbles, prodding a pancake repeatedly with his fork; he looks like he's slept for a number of hours that can be counted on one hand.
"Saw some real shifty types working out there, too. I'm sure everything will be clear, now that it's the morning and we've all had time to sleep on it. Who enforces the law out here, anyways? I don't suppose I've seen many policemen around here."

[Philulhu]

”Until recently, we haven’t really needed anyone,” replied Mrs Hebert. ”We’re a small town and everyone rubs along alright. Nobody wants to be the subject of one of the Reverend’s sermons on a Sunday morning! He has a way of talking to you without talking to you, while the whole town listens in on the conversation, if you know what I mean!”

”As for the police, we could call on someone from Baton Rouge, if we had to, but no-one’s needed to do that in quite a while.”

Can I have a Psychology or Spot Hidden roll, please?

[jp1885]

[7] = 7
Psychology 60 1d100: [ 7 ] = 7
Extreme success!

Despite all her bluster and ill-temper, Ivy can be an extremely shrewd judge of character.

Her eyes narrow - sometimes doesn’t seem right…

[Philulhu]

Something in Mrs Hebert’s tone suggests to Ivy that she might be talking from personal experience.

[jp1885]

"The good reverend has had you in his sights Mrs. Hebert, hm?" asks Ivy, arching an eyebrow.

[Mr. Handy]

William had a similar thought.

Psychology roll (67% skill) about Mrs. Hebert:
d%

[Silver Priest]

1d100

"I don't believe we've met the reverend," says Alex. "Though we did run into the local priests."

[Philulhu]

Sorry, Reverend = priest (she doesn’t specify which one).

Mrs Hebert stiffened, her eyes flicking to her daughters and back. ”That’s my business,” she replied, tightly and firmly. ”And as guests in my home, I would appreciate some respect for my privacy and that of my family.”

[jp1885]

Ivy follows the woman’s gaze to the children.

“I have overstepped the mark, for which I apologise,” she says, softening her tone. “Should you wish to confide with another woman in private, I am here. Let us leave it at that.”

[Philulhu]

”That would be for the best,” said Mrs Hebert. She stood and picked up some of the dishes, taking them into the kitchen, where the sound of taps being turned on could be heard.

The two girls looked at each other uncertainly, not sure what had passed between the adults.

[Mr. Handy]

William enjoys his pancakes, thinking it wiser not to comment.

[jp1885]

Ivy smiles what she hopes is a comforting smile to the children, before standing up by the kitchen door.

“May I help with the washing up?” she asks. “By way of further apology.”

[Philulhu]

Mrs Hebert looked at Ivy for a long moment then stepped away from the sink and picked up a dishtowel to start drying the few things she had already washed.

”Thank you,” she said quietly.

[jp1885]

Ivy nods and briskly sets about the dishes.

"I meant what I said about confiding in me," she says quietly. "Should you wish to do so.

She flicks a dish rag ruthlessly across a plate. "I shall say no more on the subject."

[Philulhu]

Mrs Hebert looked from Ivy to the dining room, where the three men sat talking as they finished their breakfast. ”Tell me,” she said, ”Have you been married long?”