I Set the Sheets on Fire, Then the Clubhouse novel · Chapter 15 of 24

Chapter 15: The Second Table

I did not hit Pearl.

I pulled the sheet tighter and looked at the woman who had taught me to roll pie crust.

"Did you know about Elena?" I asked.

"No," Pearl said. "God help me, no. I knew about you and Boone, and nothing else."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because he begged me not to. And because Carol made me swear on my sister's grave." She pressed her lips together. "I told him every March to tell you himself. That's my sin. Put me down for it."

"You won't be on the count," I said. "You're going to stand next to me at four o'clock and say that to the wives."

"Done," said Pearl.

At four o'clock the burned shell of the clubhouse was full.

The long oak table stood on the scorched concrete again with forty chairs around it.

This time thirty women filled the wall behind them, and Pearl's pickups lined the road.

Boone sat at the head with the wrench-handle gavel in front of him.

Dario sat at his right with a black leather book closed under his hand.

Elena stood beside me at the foot of the table.

She had washed her face, and she had not covered the eye.

I had the shoebox under my arm.

Cade stood against the back wall with his bare leather and his taped hands, apart from everyone.

"Table's open," Boone said, and struck the wood once.

Dario rose.

"Brothers," he said. "Friday this table ruled on a fire. Today I have two matters. The first is a debt."

"Rebecca Pellam owes this club two hundred and forty thousand dollars."

"She doesn't," Boone said. "She's my blood."

A rustle ran around the chairs.

Dario waited for it to die.

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