Summary

Chapter 9

It is February 1982, and it is the day of the great luncheon with Alice. Gus, of course, has made it an ‘affair’ inviting Alice’s editor and her husband, Jack, Truman Capote, and a few other distinguished literary types. Everyone arrives and stands around mingling. Alice’s face doesn’t change expression the entire time. Finally, when Gus is sure that Truman Capote isn’t going to be arriving, he seats everyone.

Bobby has opted for true Southern cuisine that most regular patrons don’t get at Café Andres. He decided that serving Alice something from her own cookbook would be presumptuous and he wants to give a nod to their shared southern heritage. However, she doesn’t finish the catfish filet, only eats a bite or two of the hushpuppy, and then leaves before dessert. Bobby is crushed, but hides it...