As a seven-generation Southerner, Benson Tidewater had grown accustomed to the likes of Miss Florence Epperley.  Within two days of moving into his new Charleston home, she had introduced herself and invited him to her church.  He declined politely.  Now she appeared on his doorstep with sweet potato pie in one hand and a bible in the other.

Having been raised in South Carolina, Benson knew better than to talk politics with an armed man or religion with an elderly lady toting a bible.  He knew he should smile and be gracious, but when his neighbor offered to pray with him, he said, “No thank you, Ma’am.  I don’t pray.”

To his surprise she didn’t faint, although she did ask for a glass of water. “Of course, you believe in Our Savior.”

“I might if I knew who that was.”

Her eyes bulged.

He got her the water.  And tried moving her closer to the door.

She stood her ground, sipping slowly.  “The devil’s got you.  Yes, he does.  You’re going straight to hell, young man.”

Benson nodded in agreement.

“I hope your Momma isn’t alive to hear you talk like that,” she added.

Benson felt his face flush, but held his tongue.  His mother had recently passed and he returned to his family home in Furman, South Carolina.   He had spent the past month being consoled by well-intended folk, like his neighbor, fattening him with pies and cajoling him to join them at church.  Not wanting to desecrate his mother’s memory, he had kept his thoughts and feeling to himself.

He thought moving to a city like Charleston would allow him his privacy, but here was his new neighbor with her pie and her bible.  For a moment, he thought of sharing the pamphlet he had picked up last evening at the Humanist Society.

She shook her head, took one final sip of water before handing him the glass, and turned towards the door.  “Have a blessed day,” she said.

As she turned, he restrained his desire to push her down the front steps.

“Watch your footing on the stairs, Miss Florence.  And thank you for the pie,” he said.  After all, Benson was still a polite Southern boy.