Finding Eliza Read Online Free PDF

to tell her grandmother that she was right. “Plus, I missed The Gals. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen them all in the same place. I needed my old lady fix.”
    “You better watch yourself, Miss. These old ladies can still lick the likes of you. And, we’ll do it in fabulous heels.” Tru winked at her granddaughter. “Go sit your stuff down. You know the rules. No snacks at the table when documents are out. Have some brownies. Claud is all excited that she found a new recipe. Between you and me, it tastes exactly like the old recipe, but don’t tell her that. It makes her happy. We’ll be at this table over here.” Tru pointed to a table in the front of the room to the left of the main display table that she was finishing. “Now, scoot. I’ve got to finish getting these brochures out. We’re helping the local genealogy and historical societies make a push for volunteers. We need to clean up the old cemetery at the north end of town. It is starting to look a disgrace, and I will not have it deemed abandoned. If that happens it’s a slippery slope. Some sleazy developer will come in and pave over our ancestors just so they can put in a big box warehouse company selling discount track suits and bulk jerky. Tacky. Just tacky.”
    “Now, Gran. Don’t get yourself in a huff. You know your heart isn’t as young as it used to be.” Knowing that she had pushed it too far, Lizzie ducked and ran into the safe harbor of Blue and Abi who were standing just one table over. “Gals, save a girl, please!”
    “You’re on your own, sugar.” Blue said. “We know where our bread is buttered, and it’s with the old lady in the pinstriped pants right there.” She pointed a brownie-filled hand in the direction of Gertrude. “We’ll pack you up a lemonade for the road, though.”
    Lizzie couldn’t help but laugh. “Here I thought you loved me.”
    “We do love you, dear. We’re just more afraid of Tru than you,” giggled a blushing Abi.
    Gertrude threw a wadded up flier just right so it hit Abi in the back of the head.
    “See? She fights back.”
    With that, the meeting was set to begin.

 
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Four
     
    The Tuesday Night Genealogy Gathering first started at Everett Springs First Baptist Church during the summer nights of the 1960s. The South is famous for its big kitchen tables and loud family meals. People share family stories as they pass the biscuits spurring on an interest in family history from a young age. During a fellowship meal after service one Sunday afternoon, the idea was born. The church women needed a genealogy club. The ladies already gathered together cooking for the congregation’s usual events of marriages, births, and deaths. They took care of the elderly and ill. Their gatherings provided services that the church needed. It was worthwhile, but they wanted something else of their own that was just for fun.
    In the beginning, the group met only once each month. Many of the women involved had young children at home that needed their attention. Over time, the casual monthly gathering turned into a regular weekly meet-up that discussed discovering family stories.
    Lizzie stood still for a moment and just watched the movement throughout the room. Conversation buzzed as friends milled about saying their hellos and readying their materials for the meeting. Lizzie noticed an elderly man standing in the hallway that connected the hall to the main building. Thomas Abernathy was a tall, lanky man. His aged figure looked almost ghostlike from across the large room. As usual, his hands were busy completing a task, reaching and tugging at the objects before him. Lizzie couldn’t tell what he was working on, but she could tell that he was struggling. She she set down her things and made her way over to see if she could help.
    “Mr. Thomas, can I help you with that?”
    “Well, hello, Miss Lizzie. Aren’t you looking fine today? I’m just changing some light bulbs. I may be