1936, June 15
After a most frightful delivery, my beautiful babies were born yesterday. Patsy Jean came first at 11:36, and eight minutes later, the doctor cut out her bald-headed twin, Flannery Bee.
Doctor Stinnett said I will heal quickly and that our precious girls are fit as a fiddle. But my darling husband was beside himself, and argued with him about Patsy’s well-being. Then Honey Bee left abruptly.
A short spell later Honey Bee returned with a razor, and shaved off Patsy’s thick crop of long hair, every single strand. Doctor Stinnett called for the law and had my dear husband removed from the hospital.
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for our sweet, darling girls. O’ Merciful God, look upon Patsy with Your watchful eye and shield her from evil. Protect us always, protect us all.
The pages darkened. Flannery rose slowly into Captain Green’s broad shadow.
“Mrs. Hamilton,” he said, a surprise in his smile, “it’s good to see you again.”
From behind, an outside door opened, and footsteps drew near. A hand landed on Flannery’s shoulder. She turned and met kind eyes.
At forty-two, JoLynn looked a little older than her years, burdened with the old ways and knowing eyes.
Captain Green looked questioningly at the women.
Quietly, JoLynn slipped her hand into Flannery’s and squeezed once. Twice. Then again, an approval in the woman’s supportive grip.
Finding strength, Flannery pressed back and handed Captain Green the diary and the tin with the pearls and the bullet—the Butler family’s first lick by the Devil himself, and her family’s first heartaches and the later ones—all the sins of her and JoLynn’s families.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
My deepest gratitude to Beau “Honey Bee” Brasington for your dear friendship and because there’s a paddle for every ass.
Many thanks to Deborah and Gwen for generous first reads and gracious help. I’m so glad Nashville happened and am doubly grateful for your friendship and wisdom.
A special thank you to Sgt. Jerry Huckleberry of the Louisville Metro Police Department Dive Team for your valuable knowledge.
Big thank yous and my greatest appreciation go to my fantastic editor, John, and to Vida, and Paula, Debbie, and the fabulous hardworking team at Kensington.
To Kris Mills-Noble, Creator Director, Kensington, I love this cover, and the beautiful work you give to my novels. Thank you.
Lauren, because I promised, and you are loved.
Lauren’s Poem
A beauty named Lauren Jernigan
promotes books to the moon and then back again
She Tweets and Posts
She Hollers and Boasts
until her books outshine the best of ’em
Additional Lauren’s Poem contributors
(because it took four authors):
Karen Abbott, Joshilyn Jackson, Sara Gruen
To my dear agents, Stacy and Susan, you guys are everything; thank you is never enough.
George Berger, a special thank you to you, my dearest writer friend and author. I remain your number-one fan always.
For Joe, my first reader, my first everything, thank you. I love you like salt loves meat. To my beautiful children, Jeremiah and Sierra, I love you more.
Thank you, dearest reader, for bringing me into your home.
A READING GROUP GUIDE
THE SISTERS OF GLASS FERRY
Kim Michele Richardson
ABOUT THIS GUIDE
The suggested questions are included to enhance your group’s reading of Kim Michele Richardson’s
The Sisters of Glass Ferry.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Do you believe that the spirits of dead people who died horrifically and left unfinished lives stay with the living to try to make things right?
2. How does the geography of where one grows up—the weather, the plants, the lakes and the rivers and the sky—affect character, or does it?
3. Discuss Honey Bee’s superstitions. Do you have any related notions, wives’ tales, or beliefs that were passed down to you from your family?
4. Production of Kentucky bourbon has boomed, reached its highest peak, and, worldwide, people are trading their other spirits for the native bourbon. Nutrition journals and clinical studies claim bourbon boosts healthy hearts, improves brain function, fights cancer, regulates diabetes, and more. Currently, there are 6.6 million barrels of bourbon in Kentucky, or 1.5 barrels for every person living in the state. How do you feel about the benefits and burdens of alcohol consumption? What’s the place of that industry in the larger economy? In health care?
5. How have midwifery and baby deliveries changed over the years? Has it come full circle?
6. If you are not a twin or a triplet, did you know twins (etcetera) growing up? Discuss multiple births decades ago compared to now.
7. How has police forensics changed since the ’50s? Since the ’70s? What specialty law enforcement units such as the Hostage Negotiation Team, S.W.A.T. team, horse patrol, dive team, etcetera have been created to aid in police investigations and bring swift recoveries?
8. With all the deadly car accidents and other mayhem surrounding high school proms, how can we make that uniquely American celebration safer? Should the event be modified, eliminated?
9. Up until the 1990s, police had their hands tied when dealing with domestic violence. A policeman in Kentucky and other states had to witness the misdemeanor assault, a battering against a woman or child before they could arrest the perpetrator on the scene. How have laws to protect women and children changed in your state? What new laws could be implemented to strengthen the fight against domestic violence?
10. Discuss the treatment of the mentally ill today versus decades ago.
The Sisters of Glass Ferry Page 26