Catch as Cat Can by Rita Mae Brown

because there are so few people they can lower themselves to be with, you know? And you need friends in this world. You need friends. It's a cruel world sometimes. You need friends and you need a drink.”
    â€œYou've had enough to drink, which is why I'll forgive you calling me a snob. If you want me to go out with you, Roger, you're sure going about it in a bizarre manner.”
    â€œI'm not drunk.” A whiff of belligerence filled his voice. “And I'm getting rich. You forget that. How many F.F.V.'s have money? Look at Harry. Great blood and not a penny.” He liked Harry but he didn't mind using her as an example of First Families of Virginia. “Business is booming. I'm not a poor man. Didn't your mother tell you it's just as easy to fall in love with a rich man as a poor one? Well, I'm rich.”
    Lottie at the moment wasn't pleased with Harry because she thought Diego should have been her date. BoomBoom was heartless in assigning Diego to Harry. After all, Harry could have gone to the parties with her ex-husband. Everyone knew he was still in love with her and was dying to get her back.
    â€œLottie, maybe you've had too much to drink.” Roger touched her arm as she was lost in thought.
    â€œHuh. No!”
    â€œWell, let me get you one. The world looks a lot better after you've belted back some Jim Beam.”
    The John D'earth band started playing out in the garden. Aunt Tally had set up her outdoor dance floor. People drifted outside.
    Sean, wearing a sports jacket and tie, walked over. “Roger, lay off for a little bit or you'll be useless by tonight.”
    â€œBig Brother is watching you,” Roger said with no malice as Sean moved away, Lottie in tow.
    â€œThank you, Sean,” Lottie said, her voice low.
    â€œHe's always had this crush on you, Lottie. I wish you could see past his exterior. Roger is a good man and he'd be a good provider, solid. He needs a woman to anchor him. He drinks because he's lonely.”
    â€œThis is said by a man still single.” Lottie thought Sean the better-looking of the brothers.
    â€œThe business has taken up so much of my time, a lot more than I thought. I'll tell you, I've sure learned to respect my father and grandfather. They started the business and they changed with the times although at the end Dad was set in his ways. Rog and I have to put everything we've got in the business. But you know, I like the challenge.” He exhaled a long deep breath. “But I do have to get out more. I'm not going to find a wife in the junkyard.”
    â€œOh, if BoomBoom, now the artiste, comes to your lot I imagine other women do, too.”
    â€œYou'd be surprised at the people who come out there.” He grinned in semi-agreement. “BoomBoom surprises me. She really is welding.” He held up his hand. “Honestly. She's making sculptures out of scraps and they aren't bad. Kind of whimsical. But I still don't think I'm going to meet the love of my life at the salvage yard.”
    â€œBoomBoom with a welding torch.” Lottie's eyebrows rose.
    Aunt Tally followed her guests into the garden as the marching-band members served drinks and hors d'oeuvres. “Where did all these children come from? Have people been reproducing behind my back?”
    â€œNed Tucker called for some extra help,” Big Mim told her.
    â€œHe should run for office. He's a smart man.”
    â€œWhat kind of office?” Big Mim wanted no interference for her daughter's career. She was relieved that Marilyn finally had some direction in life.
    â€œCongress.”
    â€œYes, he'd be good but let's see how Little Mim does.”
    â€œShe's vice-mayor and she's young. Give her time.”
    â€œBut Ned's young, too,” Big Mim said.
    â€œHe's in his late forties. Marilyn's in her thirties. Let Ned pave the way.” Aunt Tally rapped the brick path with her cane, betraying her impatience as well as her intelligence. If Ned ran