ICYMI (In Case You Missed It)
ANNOUNCEMENT: Buddy Read – Lexington, Alabama Series
Road to Review – Mrs. Wiggins (Lexington, Alabama #1) – Chapters 1-4
OK, SO BOOM!
Chapter 5 begins with a seed planted in Maggie’s head. Thanks to Jessie, Maggie starts to question whether her marriage will last. Jessie has this notion that as long as a woman is a “perfect” wife, there shouldn’t be any worry about losing their husband to another woman. Maggie never really considered it because her husband is gay. Although she isn’t worried about her marriage, her conversation with Jessie sticks with her. She contemplates whether she married too soon and if she is to stay married, she’s convinced that as long as she pursues this ‘manhunt’ of sorts, sooner than later, there’s no way she and Hubert won’t work out. So many thoughts are running through her head and as soon as Hubert returns home from work, she voices that she’s ready to take a chance at the bars and find some prospects. At this, Hubert is elated.
Staying true to the roles of preacher’s kid and preacher’s kid’s wife, Hubert and Maggie are avid church-goers and faithfully attend weekly Bible study onFridays. They love the Lord, but they are less than excited about going to another weekly Bible study session. Neither wants to disappoint Hubert’s parents, so they go. Meanwhile, both of them are there physically, but mentally checked out because they’d rather put their plan in motion and be at the bar already. They attempt to get out of it by saying that Hubert is sick, but since they are already there, they feel pressured to stay until the end.
Once they are free of the in-laws, Hubert and Maggie drive 45 minutes out of town to a bar in Toxey, Alabama. Maggie is a ball of nerves and Hubert is optimistic as ever. They piddle around the bar for a bit and ultimately have no luck, as most of the men that resemble Hubert aren’t approachable or they are there with a woman. As the night progresses, frustration over the lack of prospects is building, and Maggie is feeling less and less confident in her ability to go through this again until she gets pregnant.
This downtrodden feeling doesn’t last long, as they head to Mississippi the next Sunday. It’s through this visit to a bar, that Maggie realizes what’s lessening her chances of attracting a man. What do you know, it’s Hubert’s presence that’s warding off potential baby daddies. I think this realization is indicative of Maggie’s age and her lack of real-world experiences. With this new knowledge, she plans to go to her next manhunt alone.
The opportunity for her to test this must be destined. Ma Wiggins, Hubert’s mom, calls on a Tuesday and says that they will not be having Bible study on Friday. This is a huge relief to Maggie, as she’s not fond of Bible study, Ma Wiggins makes her anxious to be around, and she really needs to accelerate this plan and get pregnant.
On to Needham, Maggie goes alone.
Things That Make Me Go Hmm
- Unsurprisingly, after experiencing failure at the first bar, Hubert remains hopeful. It’s moments like these that display how supportive Hubert is, but I cannot help but wonder if he’s only being supportive because it further protects him and his secret. What say you?
- Why is it always Maggie telling Hubert’s parents that they cannot attend a church function? It’s weird to me. it seems that she literally gets her hands dirty behind him. Let me know if I’m overthinking this.
- Ma Wiggins is stressing me out. She does these pop-up visits that are signs that either she doesn’t have anything to do, or she is just keeping tabs on Maggie. In any case, me no like it. Between Ma Wiggins and Jessie, Maggie is surrounded by meddlers everywhere she goes.
Look for me in your rear-view mirror. I’ll see you all in the next Road to Review.
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