Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

by Fannie Flagg

know me!” He opened the door to his truck, and Evelyn, hysterical, grabbed his arm. “Why? Why are you being so mean to me?” He slammed her arm away from him and stuck his fist in her face, his eyes and face twisted with rage. “Don’t fool with me, bitch, or I’ll knock your fucking head off—you fat, stupid cunt!” And with that, he pushed her in the chest and knocked her down. Evelyn couldn’t believe what was happening. Her groceries spilled everywhere. The stringy-haired girl with the elastic halter top who had been waiting for the boy looked down at Evelyn and laughed. He got in the truck, threw it in reverse, and squealed out of the parking lot, yelling names back at Evelyn. She sat there on the ground, her elbow bleeding, old and fat and worthless all over again.

This was just terrible