There are still others. Eugene’s cousin, Francis Walter, was so kind and generous with his time and knowledge, and I am grateful to him for the use of the photograph that adorns the book’s cover. Tom Loehr also gave valuable assistance with photographs. Tom Uskali served as reader and unofficial editor, friend and hand-holder. Mary Alma Durrett lent me a recording of her interviews with Eugene and kindly allowed me to use that material. Tom Mason was always ready to help at a moment’s notice and offered his house as my hotel in Mobile. It was to Tom’s lovely house that I brought Eugene after he’d been rescued from the bathroom floor for the dinner party he wouldn’t dream of missing. This was my last real encounter with Eugene, and I am grateful to Tom for making it so beautiful, with votive candles flickering on all the transoms above the doors, and camellias swimming in bowls on mantles and tables all over the house. Eugene was right not to miss that party.
It goes without saying, but I will say it anyway: without my husband, Brandon Dorion, I could never have finished this book.