“Abraham Lincoln took the state,” he said.
“I ain’t interested,” J.P. said, opening his eyes.
“A bonus and free nigger pussy for us all.”
“Pour me a drink. There’s a glass on the table.”
Seth went to the other room and brought his bottle back. He clinked the lip of it on the glass and poured.
“I’m going to get me a big redheaded nigger woman,” he said.
J.P. sat up in bed and took the drink. He put on his shoes, leaving the strings untied, and went over to the ice pitcher on the dresser and poured some water in the glass.
“Mr. Lincoln has promised free nigger pussy to all white male voters,” Seth said.
“Did the sonofabitch really take the whole state?”
“He missed it by four parishes.”
“Is J.P. up?” April said from the next room.
“He ran off with a nigger woman,” Seth said.
“You’re very cute,” she said, still in the other room.
“He was with one of them big redheaded ones.”
“Why don’t you go somewhere else?” she said, now standing in the doorway.
“Your wife don’t want me, J.P.”
“Let it alone,” he said.
“Have a drink with us,” Seth said.
“Please leave,” she said.
“Sit down and drink some of Lathrop’s bourbon.”
“Tell him to leave,” she said to J.P.
“I offered her a drink.”
“You’re a drunk pig,” she said.
“My, my.”
“Tell him to get out, J.P.”
“Tell him yourself.”
“Both of you make me sick,” she said.
“You better go, Seth.”
Seth went to the door and toasted them with his glass.
“Peace be with you, my children.”