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“Yes, Daddy, what’s up?”

“I just wanted you to be the first one to know that we eloped.”

“You did what?”

“Lois and I got married at the courthouse down in Columbus.”

“You and Lois ran off and got married?”

“Just to Columbus. We were back in time for lunch.”

“Well, this is a surprise. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I would have, but I thought it might upset you…because of your mother.”

“No, no. I’m happy for you, Daddy. I like Lois.”

“Can we come over and visit? We have a car and a driver all lined up. I want her to see where we’ll be living.”

“Of course, Daddy.”

“And can Virgil come, too?”

“Fine.”

This was something Ruthie hadn’t expected, but then why not? The more the merrier.

—

BRIARWOOD MANOR BEING such a social place, news naturally traveled fast. Over at Caldwell Circle, Martha Lee had just been called by a friend and informed of the latest excitement.

After she hung up, she looked as if she might faint. She turned to Gerta and exclaimed, “My God, Bud Threadgoode has just married the Coca-Cola heiress!”

Luckily, Gerta caught her right before she hit the ground.

WHISTLE STOP, ALABAMA

ALTHOUGH THEY HAD tried to keep it quiet, an article about the renovation project appeared in The Birmingham News . But it turned out to be good news for Evelyn and Ruthie, who were now busy looking for people to hire for the grand opening.

Opal’s granddaughter Bea, who was also a hairdresser, saw the article about the town of Whistle Stop opening back up. She quickly called the office and left a message. “Mrs. Couch, you don’t know me, but my name is Bea Wallace, and my grandmother Opal Butts used to own the beauty shop in Whistle Stop. I was wondering if you had rented out that space yet. If not, I would love to talk to you about it.”

Earlier in the day Alberta Peavey had called, telling her that she was an experienced chef and could bring her grandmother’s recipes with her. That is, if there happened to be a job opening.

When Evelyn heard that she almost started to cry. Suddenly all the little chickens were coming home to roost.

And soon there would be another chicken flying in.

After hearing that the old Whistle Stop church had been restored, a young female minister fresh out of the seminary showed up at the office and expressed an interest in starting a new congregation. She explained that it would mean a lot to her, because her grandfather had once been the preacher there. She said her name was Jessie Jean Scroggins.

All they needed now was someone to run the new bed and breakfast.

It was Saturday, and Ruthie was busy on the Internet looking at wallpaper, when her phone rang. When she picked up, a somewhat familiar voice said, “Mrs. Caldwell?”

“Yes?”

“You may not remember me, but I was your father’s nurse a few years ago when he was at UAB Hospital.”

“Terry?”

“Yes. You remember me!”

“Well, of course I remember you. How are you?”

“Hanging in there. How’s sweet ol’ Bud doing, still sassy as ever?”

“Oh, sure, but what a surprise to hear from you. Are you still over at UAB Hospital?”

“No, I retired last year.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes, it was time, but listen, I know you’re busy so I will get straight to the point. I’ve been reading a little bit in the papers about what you and Mrs. Couch are doing, and I read that you are looking for someone to run a bed and breakfast.”

“Yes, we are.”

“Now, this may be a complete long shot, but I was wondering if I might apply for the job.”

“Oh, Terry, are you serious?”

“Yes, I’ve had a lot of experience looking after people, and believe it or not, I’m a hell of cook.”

At that moment, Evelyn walked in the door and Ruthie said, “Hold on a minute, Terry,” and she put her hand over the phone.

“Evelyn, it’s Terry, Daddy’s nurse from UAB calling.”

“Oh yes. How is she?”

“She’s retired from nursing and wants to know if she can apply for the B&B job.”

Evelyn quickly walked over and took the phone. “Terry, this is Evelyn Couch. Why, hell yes, you can apply. Get yourself over here.”

—

LATER, AFTER THEY gave Terry the job, Ruthie said, “Won’t Daddy be pleased? He really liked Terry. And I think it’s good to have an ex-nurse around, don’t you?”

“Yes,” Evelyn said. “And think about it, Ruthie. You’ll be managing the cafe, Terry is running the B&B, Bea will have the beauty shop, plus with Alberta cooking and Jessie Jean preaching it’s going to be an all-gal town. Your dad is going to be the only man here.”

Ruthie smiled. “Knowing Daddy, he’s sure to love that.”

WHISTLE STOP, ALABAMA

IT WAS IN the middle of one of those sudden Alabama rainstorms when she heard someone knocking loudly on the back door of the cafe. Ruthie opened it, and to her surprise, there stood Martha Lee Caldwell, soaked to the bone, with suitcase in hand.

“I have come to Alabama, not with a banjo on my knee, but to fling myself upon your mercy.”

“Oh, Martha, come in. What happened? What are you doing here? Aren’t you supposed to be at Briarwood?”

Martha Lee stepped inside. “I was, but I was told by that little worm Richard Merris that Briarwood had a waiting list and I’m number six. Can you believe it? Me? On a waiting list? He said my financials are not acceptable at the moment. Well, we’ll see about that.”

She then affected the best humble look she could manage and said, “Might you have some small little corner where I could wait? I promise I’ll be as quiet as a mouse.”

“Oh, of course you can. But my gosh, Martha, does Carolyn know? I’m sure she’d love to have you come stay with her.”

Martha Lee looked at her strangely. “Haven’t you heard?”

“No, heard what?”

“Carolyn is getting a divorce.”

“What?”

“Yes. But I’ll let her tell you the particulars, I must lie down now. I’m tired to the bone.”

Of course, after that, Ruthie didn’t sleep a wink all night.

The phone call came early the next morning.

“Mother, Brian has left me, and moved in with another woman.”

“Oh, honey, what happened?”

“He left me for his dental hygienist. Can you imagine?”

“Oh, no.”

“I am so humiliated I could just die. All our friends know. I can’t stay here another minute.”

“Does Grandmother know Brian moved out?”

“Yes. But I can’t talk to her about it, she wouldn’t understand. I need to be with you right now. Can Cameron and I come down there with you?”

“Of course you can, darling, and don’t you worry. We’ll figure something out, okay?”

“Oh, thank you, Mother, I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t have you to turn to.”

After Ruthie hung up, she was heartbroken for her daughter, but also a little hopeful. It was the first time she had ever heard Carolyn say that she needed her. And that felt good. Life certainly had its twists and turns. Her daughter and her granddaughter would be coming to Whistle Stop to be with her. Maybe forever. Who knows? There was a brand-new school opening up not far from there. Ruthie had to stop herself from getting too far ahead of herself. But it was a possibility.

WHISTLE STOP CAFE

Present Day

EVERYBODY WAS THERE for the cafe’s big grand opening. Ruthie’s son, Richard, and his girlfriend, Dotsie, came all the way from Oregon and were delighted. Being vegan, they could eat all the fried green tomatoes they wanted. Bud and Lois were there, along with Billy Hornbeck and Geena. And many of the grandchildren of Reverend Scroggins and Sheriff Grady flew in from out of town. Janice Rodgers, a popular news anchor at the local TV station, came out and filmed a special feature on the town and cafe, and interviewed Bud about the old days. Later, the mayor of Birmingham dropped by and presented them with a plaque, declaring that July 28 would be forever proclaimed “Whistle Stop Day.” All the railroad engineers had been alerted about the event, and every train that passed by blew its whistle in honor of the day.