Mrs. Knable

When I was growing up in Fountain City, my family became charter members of a new congregation in town...The Christian Church of Fountain City.   For awhile we met in an old restaurant building on Broadway.  The building is still there.  In fact, that is the building where I walked forward one Sunday to declare that I wanted Jesus to be my Lord and Savior and I have never regretted it.

My Mother's best friend was Evelyn Knable.  She was also the pianist for the church and she was a great one!  I never heard my Mother call Mrs. Knable, Evelyn.  I also never heard Mrs. Knable call my Mother Lila.  It was always, Mrs. Knable and Mrs. Combs.  Things were different back then.  I imagine that when they talked privately they might have used each others first names, but I don't know for sure.

For awhile Mrs. Knable was our youth leader as well.  My best friend was Polly.  You never just said Pat, and you never just said Polly.  It was always Pat and Polly.  We were best friends all through grade school and high school.  Polly usually spent the weekend with me and went to church with me.  Daddy took her home after church on Sunday night.

We, for some reason, thought it was our job to entertain the troops at Sunday night youth meetings.  Evidently Mrs. Knable wasn't as amused as the rest of the group.  

One night, we showed up for youth group, as always...ready with our clever quips and giggling.  As we all settled in and Pat and Polly started their usual disruptions, all of a sudden Pat, (me) turned around.  Sitting in the back with her arms folded and with only the look she could give, sat none other than, Mrs Combs....my Mother.

Pat and Polly never acted up in youth group again.