La Toya Hankins

When Zora comes to visit her childhood hometown for the Fourth of July, she expects to be helping with the family business, greeting old neighbors and friends, and carefully avoiding the topic of her sexuality. But then Zora's old mentor introduces Zora to her granddaughter Sarah, a blast from Zora's past, now grown into a leggy brunette who remembers Zora more than fondly.<br><br>As the two women reconnect over old memories, sweet treats, and tales of the intervening years since they'd last met, Zora begins to suspect the attraction she feels for Sarah might be returned. The sparks flying between them ignite into fireworks celebrating their independence from sexual solitude when they explore a new way to use the town library.

Heat Wave: Southport

“Mrs. Montgomery, yes ma’am, it’s me. How are you doing?” she asked the woman who had opened her eyes to a world beyond the boundaries of Brunswick County. Leaning over to hug the head librarian, Zora felt a little self-conscious. She was sure every inch of her 5’8” frame smelled like fried food. However, judging by the return hug, it didn’t seem like it was a problem.


“I’m good. Just left the Friends of the Library sale and we had a good turnout. I don’t care what anyone says about this e-book thing everyone keeps harping on as the new wave in reading. There is nothing like holding an actual book in your hand, turning pages, and putting it on a bookshelf so you can admire it whenever you walk into a room. Books take us to the future, remind us of the past, and allow us the tools to change our present. Who wouldn’t want to spend fifty cents on something like that and help out a good cause in the process?”


Chapter 3