The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires

Patricia is too nervous to tell the book club she invited James. None of them are thrilled to see him walk through the door, but he charmingly says he has been “looking for a long time for a community like this” (97). He tells the ladies he grew up in Montana (contradicting what he told the banker earlier), where he developed land. He then asks what each of the women’s husbands do, learning that Slick’s husband Leland is also developer. At the mention of this, James brings up his latest project, Gracious Cay—a gated community he is building near Six Mile, Mt. Pleasant’s Black neighborhood. Slick and Leland are investors.

The discussion of The Bridges of Madison County is interrupted by the entrance of a naked, soaking wet Miss Mary. She heatedly accuses James again, trying to show the women a photograph that ostensibly proves her point. However, she wilts when she sees she is holding the “wrong photograph” (101). As Patricia escorts her out, Miss Mary insists she will find the right photograph.

After Miss Mary’s outburst, Patricia wonders how much longer the family can handle her living with them. She expresses these concerns to book club member Grace, who reminds Patricia that “‘Men don’t know what it’s like to care for an aging relative’” (105).