Emelda Beason had a  lovely lilt to her laughter,  a natural hoarseness. Her words and tone were gracious. Jakesport was a fishing town on Alabama’s  Coosa River before developers  turned it ... [+]

Daddy married Miss Helen in 1954. I was almost eight years old. Their marriage was a surprise since I’d only met her once.
Our new stepmother had lived ten miles away in Homewood with he ... [+]