"What is it this time?"
"He was arrested a few days ago for trying to rob a liquor store with another man. He tracked me down to see if I could help him, but what can I do? I don't have money for lawyers."
"I'm sorry, Mama."
"I know, honey, but this makes me even happier I got you away from there. Don't you think about it. I'm sorry I told you."
"Have you heard from Roy yet? Does he know?"
"He called, yes. I told him but you know how he and Ken got along. He wasn't as upset as you. He asked about you. He said he was doing fine."
"Do you have his address?"
She read it to me over the phone. After we talked a little more, I took out the letter I had written to Roy and addressed the envelope. It would go out tomorrow.
Afterward, I actually enjoyed my solitude and making my own meal. I cooked the fish the way Mama and I cooked it and made mashed potatoes that were creamy and rich, not greasy like Merilyn's. It was the best meal I had since coming here and it made me feel like I was back with my family and we were all sitting around the table during happier times. Beni would be complaining about something as usual and Roy would tease her. Ken would be bragging about the wonderful things he was going to do and Mama would hum at the stove. Why didn't I know then that happy moments were really only illusions?
Merilyn walked through the kitchen once as I worked, glanced disapprovingly at what I was doing, and then left. I sat alone in the dining room, imagining Grandmother Hudson's critical eyes watching my table manners. It brought a smile to my lips.
While I was cleaning up, the phone rang. Remembering Corbette was calling, I got to it before Merilyn, but it was a nurse from the hospital.
"One moment please," she said and then Grandmother Hudson got on.
"I'm calling to see how my house is," she said.
"It's still here," I told her. "Everything's fine. How are you?"
"I should have stayed home. They've turned me into some sort of electrical machine. Have my daughters come and gone?"
"Yes," I said.
"Did they divide up my estate just in case this contraption explodes in my chest?"
"Not that I know of," I said laughing.
"This nurse wants me off the line. I had to threaten a lawsuit to get them to let me make a call. They're holding me a prisoner until Sunday, but don't let that good-for-nothing Merilyn slack off. I expect to see a clean house when I arrive."
"I'll tell her." I said gleefully.
"Thank you," she said. "And don't you slack off either," she warned.
"Feel better," I said laughing.
I heard her hang up. When Merilyn came by to check on the condition of the kitchen, I told her what Grandmother Hudson had said.
"I do a pretty damn good job here," she said. "She's got no reason to complain."
"You have nothing to worry about then," I reassured her. She inspected the kitchen and left. I went upstairs to change into something more casual so I could relax, read and watch some television. The emotional roller coaster that had taken me through the day had really left me exhausted. I was sure I'd fall asleep early.
Just as I entered my bedroom, the phone rang again. This time it was Corbette.
"Can I
come by at two o'clock tomorrow then?" he asked quickly. It was as if he was making the call from some secret phone and didn't want to be overheard.
"I guess," I said, "but shouldn't we have told Mr. Bufurd what we're doing?" I asked still worried about meeting Corbette outside of school. Maybe we would learn our lines the wrong way.
"Naw," he said. "Let's surprise him."