I said to Gabe a few minutes later as we walked toward the Dairy Queen. The streets were nearly empty though it was only a little past eight o’clock. It was something I’d forgotten—how early the sidewalks rolled up in these small Southern towns.“Why not? That’s who I’d guess was behind it.”“For one thing, I met him, and he didn’t seem the kind of man who’d put his son up to something like that.”“Are you saying you trust a politician?” Gabe’s laugh was cynical.“No, but I trust Amen. She really respects him. She told me and Elvia yesterday that she doesn’t think he’s been a bad mayor, just one who’s behind the times. She says his biggest problem is he just has no impetus to change.”“Most rich white people don’t.”His bitter words startled me. Not knowing quite how to answer, I changed the subject. “So, what did you think of Amen?”He gave it some thought, then said, “She’s a brave woman.”“That’s a given. But what did you think of her personally?”
