Crimson scalenes in Indigo Apple.

As was his custom, Theodore Conrad was at the kitchen Seated front and center in the pew to Larson’s right was stove eagerly preparing his favorite sauce for rigatoni: Matsie Bart. As a member of city council, Matsie felt it her cream with basil and anchovies; cloves of roasted garlic, civic duty to ‘tend her flock, to keep the faith.’ As she sliced on the long axis; and melted gorgonzola. As he scanned nearby parishioners to ascertain their response to stirred this concoction, he savored the bouquet and palate Larson’s prevailing theme, she shouted ‘‘Amen.’’ For of one of his favorite Chilean wines, a 1995 merlot from emphasis she added, ‘‘Amen, brother,’’ and nodded her the Casa Lapostolle vineyard in the Rapel Valley. As she head in approval of Larson’s plea for peace amongst all looked up from the newspaper she was reading, Elizabeth men. noted that ‘Mississippi will be hosting the Splendors of Seated next to Matsie was Chester Hydrant, the city’s Versailles exhibit this year. This follows on its 1996 part-time sheriff. As was his custom on Sundays, Chester selection to host the Palaces of St. Petersburg display’. was dressed in his starched police uniform. Only his ‘‘How was Mississippi, home to author and Nobel holster and imposing revolver were missing. Even on his laureate William Faulkner, selected?’’ asked Theodore. best day, Chester gave one the impression of a serial killer. ‘‘It appears the French government wanted 1 million Chester was also employed at Murdock’s, the town’s dollars to refurnish two rooms at the Chateau de Versailles. major food market, where he was responsible for the meat The state legislature, eager to boost Mississippi tourism, section. Butchering came easily to him. agreed to pay.’’ In the pew to Larson’s left, dressed in their Sunday ‘‘I wonder if it will be the Chambre de la Reine, Salle finest, were Billy Bob and Sue Ellen Smith with their du Sacre, Galerie des Batailles, or the opposing Salons de 4-year-old daughter, Clementine. Billy Bob was a mail la Paix and de la Guerre,’’ remarked a smiling Theodore. carrier at the post office, Sue Ellen a homemaker. ‘‘In any event,’’ he added, ‘‘let me tell you about a Immediately behind the Smiths and squirming to prevent conundrum that took place in Mississippi not too long paresthesias of their maximi were Billy Joe and Peggy Sue ago’’. McAllister with their son, Michael, who enjoyed leaning It was August 5, 1993, another hot and humid summer over the pew to tug on Clementine’s pigtails. Billy Joe Sunday in Indigo Apple, Mississippi. Magnolias, azaleas worked over at the paper mill not far from Natchez, while and camellias had long since stopped blooming in this Peggy Sue was a librarian at the town’s elementary school. isolated rural community located in the southwestern ‘‘We must rise up against prejudice and bigotry,’’ urged portion of the state. There were no antebellums, or pre Larson. ‘‘One cannot judge a book by its cover. The color Civil War mansions, in this town of 2000. At the Holy of a man’s skin, his religious preference, or the accent of Memorial Church, 100 of its inhabitants had assembled for his speech does not belie his substance, his integrity, his today’s worship service. Even the oppressive heat did not value to society. We should not be so mindless as to dissuade these devout churchgoers from their appointed suggest that it is only in this part of the country or in the mission with another one of preacher Larson’s inspiring western world that cultured and civilized men can be sermons. He often addressed civil rights. Today’s session found. We must not forsake our fellow man.’’ was entitled Let There Be Love. It focused on the need for ‘‘Amen, brother!’’ chanted Matsie Bart and Chester compassion and understanding of one’s fellow man. HandHydrant in unison. held fans were aflutter as parishioners made a futile As the faithful filed out of church, they had the chance attempt to stave off the heat while nodding their heads in to compliment Larson on his passionate rendering and to agreement with Larson’s pronouncements. make small talk. Milling together outside the church