Every Wednesday at noon, Joy Ruth takes old Minnie Hendrix to McDonald's. She pushes the wheelchair up to the counter where the old woman orders a Big Mac, large fries, and a black coffee. Today, they are sitting in the newly remodeled section which has green plastic ferns hanging from the ceiling. "My tail bone is killing me," Minnie complains as she eats. She has just turned eighty and is a finicky eater. McDonald's is the only place she will finish her food. "Raise up a minute," Joy Ruth says, "I'll see if I can fix that skinny tail bone of yours." Minnie grasps the wheelchair and lifts her frail body up from the seat of the chair. The young woman reaches over and fluffs the flowered pillow underneath the old woman. Satisfied, Minnie sinks back into the pillow and straightens her red satin dress. Every week the old woman insists on wearing the red satin dress with food stains on the bodice. Joy Ruth always offers mor...
"All the characters who have housed my stories now have permanent apartments in my head - I still have tea with them." bw