Mrs. Wiggins

Maggie drives the hearse home, panicking when she sees a police car, afraid they will stop her for driving through a white neighborhood. Maggie makes gumbo that she shares with her family and Jessie’s. Hubert says he is confident Maggie will never wreck their happy home.

On Monday, Maggie finds Mrs. Dowler’s home full of her relatives. Her son meets her at the door and prevents Maggie from seeing Mrs. Dowler. The next day, the son informs Maggie that he will be taking his mother back to Atlanta with him. She has had a breakdown after Oswald’s death, and her son intends to take care of her. Maggie is out of a job.

Hubert is concerned about the family’s financial situation, as business at the funeral home has slowed recently. Maggie is cheered up when Claude and Maybelle get married, and she enjoys the reception immensely. Jessie confides that Orville’s abuse is increasing. She says if she could kill Orville and get away with it, she would. When Orville attacks and tries to choke Jessie, Maggie decides if she kills Orville, it will free Jessie and give Hubert’s funeral home more business. She makes gumbo to take to Jessie’s house and reserves a special bowl for Orville.