In rural Buford, Alabama, Elba Rae Van Oaks has two options after a messy confrontation with her nemesis takes place in the faculty lounge of the local elementary school: resign her long-held position teaching fifth grade, or submit to mandated counseling sessions with the new school psychologist. When she reluctantly accepts the latter, revelations come forth that surprise even her. Three Grapes and a Cold Biscuit follows the middle-aged Elba Rae through her unsettling journey of personal disclosure and self exploration-from disgrace to triumph, while uncovering more than a few embarrassing secrets about the good people of Buford: There's Dewey Richardson, the disenfranchised war veteran who's apparently lost all inhibitions with regard to proper clothing; Poor Miss Nita Perrymore, the frail octogenarian that shows up at one Garden Club meeting too many; And Elba Rae's husband, Fettis, whose generous carpentry skills and willingness to help his neighbors create the ripple which eventually travels all the way into the teacher's lounge and engulfs Elba Rae on a most unfortunate Thursday.