<P> Idgie initially resists Ruth's attempts at friendship, but gradually a deep attachment develops between them . Ruth leaves Whistle Stop to marry Frank Bennett and moves to Valdosta, Georgia . Idgie tries to forget her but later visits her house to find her pregnant and subject to physical abuse from Frank . Against his wishes and violent attempts to stop her, she returns to Whistle Stop with Idgie, where her baby, a boy whom she names Buddy, Jr., is born . Papa Threadgoode gives Idgie money to start a business so she can care for Ruth and Buddy, Jr . She and Ruth open the Whistle Stop Cafe, employing the family cook, Sipsey, and her son, Big George, who excels with a barbecue that becomes popular with their patrons . </P> <P> Frank eventually returns to Whistle Stop to kidnap Buddy, Jr., but his attempt is thwarted by an unseen assailant, and he is later reported missing . Once his truck appears at the bottom of a nearby drying lake without its owner, Idgie is immediately a suspect, as she had publicly threatened violence against him for beating Ruth . She is detained along with Big George for his murder by Grady Kilgore, the local sheriff, who offers to release her and pin the crime solely on Big George; she refuses to sacrifice him . During the subsequent trial, the local minister, Reverend Scroggins, has no problem lying, providing Idgie and Big George with sound alibis for the time of Frank's disappearance . Taking into account his reputation for getting drunk, the judge rules his death an accident and dismisses the case . Idgie and Big George are cleared of all charges . </P> <P> After the trial, Ruth is diagnosed with cancer, becomes very ill, and eventually dies . Following her death, the café closes . Over time, many Whistle Stop residents eventually move away, bringing Ninny to the end of her story, but not before the revelation of what really happened to Frank . Sipsey killed him with a blow to the head with a heavy cast iron frying pan while trying to prevent him from kidnapping Buddy, Jr . Idgie got Big George to barbecue Frank's body, which was later served to an investigator from Georgia searching for him . The investigator ate with gusto, proclaiming his meal the best pork barbecue he'd ever tasted . </P> <P> Evelyn discovers that during Ninny's temporary stay at the nursing home, her house was condemned and torn down . Evelyn, having become friends with her, offers her a room in her house which she accepts . As they walk away from the empty lot where her house used to be, they pass Ruth's grave, freshly adorned with a jar of honey, a honeycomb, and a card which reads, "I'll always love you, the Bee Charmer". The Bee Charmer is Ruth's old nickname for Idgie, and the note reveals that she is still alive . </P>

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