Nothing like spending New Year’s Eve alone, wearing sweats decorated with sequins instead of a cocktail dress and sparkling shoes. She’d sent Uncle Floyd and Aunt Verde out the door earlier. “Don’t worry about me. Just have fun with your church group.” They planned to have dinner at a local steak house then watch the fireworks out at the country club. “I thought you’d at least go to the party with Fred,” her aunt had said before leaving. “No. Fred and I…aren’t dating anymore.” She’d finally told Fred Marshall that she couldn’t date him anymore. “Is it because Jackson’s back?” he’d asked with that hang-dog look he liked to give her. “No, it’s because I’m expecting a baby. Jackson’s baby.” That had taken some time to explain. “I’d heard rumors,”
