"You think she'll be here?"
"Probably.Miss Lila taught her piano forever."
Neely had nowhere to go, but he glanced at his watch anyway."Gotta run, Nat. Thanks for the coffee."
"Thanks for coming by,Neely .A real treat."
They zigzagged through the racks and shelves toward the front of the store.Neely stopped at the door. "Look, some of us are gathering in the bleachers tonight, sort of a vigil, I guess," he said."Beer and war stories. Why don't you stop by?"
"I'd like that," Nat said. "Thanks."
Neely opened the door and started out. Nat grabbed his arm and said, "Neely, I lied. I never hated you."
"You should have."
"Nobody hated you,Neely . You were our ail-American."
"Those days are over, Nat."
"No, not till Rake dies."
"Tell Cameron I'd like to see her. I have something to say."
* * *
The secretary smiled efficiently and slid a clipboard across the counter. Neely printed his name, the time, and the date, and put down that he was visiting Bing Albritton, the longtime girls' basketball coach. The secretary examined the form, did not recognize either his face or his name, and finally said, "He's probably in the gym." The other lady in the administration office glanced up, and she too failed to recognize Neely Crenshaw.
And that was fine with him.