Page 53 of The Deadly Candies

Tears pricked Kathy’s eyes.

Jane kissed her brow, then they pressed their noses together, the gesture so tender it nearly undid her.

“Last time I saw you, you was just a wee thing,” Jane said, voice thick with affection. “Then I seen ya again when y’all came down to Jackson that summer. You were eight then, weren’t you?” She sighed, shaking her head. “I should’ve seen ya more. That’s on me. That’s Aunt Janey’s fault.” She tilted Kathy’s chin up. “You an Elliot, through and through. No matter how much Henry’s blood in ya, I see my mama in those eyes of yours. You’re made oftough stuff, girl, sugar and spice. You know that?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Kathy whispered.

“Aww, shucks.Come here!”

Aunt Janey pulled her into another tight hug, rocking her slightly. “I should’ve never stayed away. I love you so much, sugar.”

Kathy held on, letting herself enjoy Janey’s embrace. She felt Janey’s breath at her temple and felt her fingers rubbing slow, soothing circles against her back.

Tears slid down Kathy’s cheeks, silent but heavy.

Big Mama shook her head from her chair by the kitchen doorway. “Lawd,” she muttered, sighing. “I’ll start breakfast. Y’all gon’ need it after all that cryin’.”

Janey didn’t let go until Kathy’s breathing steadied. She guided her gently to the sofa, sitting down beside her.

Kathy wiped her face, sniffled, then looked at her with hungry eyes. “Where do you live? Where have you been? Mama’s tried to find youso many times. She misses you, Auntie. She really does.”

Janey smiled, brushing her thumb over Kathy’s cheek. “One question at a time, baby girl.” She leaned back, throwing one arm over the sofa. “I beeneverywhere, from Paris to New Orleans, suga.”

“Don’t be fillin’ that gal up with yourlies, Janey!” Big Mama hollered from the kitchen.

Janey laughed, bright and carefree. “Ain’t no lies! I got the travel papers to prove it.”

Kathy laughed too, wiping the last of her tears.

“Well,” Kathy said, voice steadier, “Mama misses you.”

A shadow crossed Janey’s face.

“We had aterriblefight,” Janey admitted. “Years ago. She kept throwin’ thatBibleof hers in my face.”

“She should’vehityou upside the head with it,” Big Mama bellowed from the stove.

Kathy gasped, but the giggle slipped through anyway. Aunt Janey slapped a hand over Kathy’s lips, shaking her head like they were sharing a secret.

“She’s right, though,” Janey muttered, winking. Then she sighed. “It’s my fault I keep running. But wesisters, no matter what. We alwaysloveeach other.” She looked Kathy straight in the eye. “You know that don’tcha?”

“Yes, ma’am,” Kathy said softly.

“I live in California now,” Janey went on, smoothing out her dress. “Took me a long road—and a couple’a stops—to get back to the Delta, I tell you that. But when I heardyouwere here, Ihadto come.”

Kathy’s heart squeezed.

Janey took her hands and held them gently. “Me and your mama, we’ll talk. Wegon’ fix things. I promise you that.” Then she tilted her head, studying her. “But first, let’s tend toyou. Are you okay?”

Big Mama’s voice cut in from the kitchen. “Ofcourseshe is! Ain’tnothin’wrong with Butts! This here is home for all you Elliot girls. It’s in yourblood, no matterwhereyou run off to!Hmph!”

Janey rolled her eyes, then winked at Kathy. “Yes, ma’am. Meant no disrespect. I justwishit hadn’t happened like this.” She replied. “Kathy needs herschoolin’.”

Kathy perked up. “How long are you staying? We building a schoolhouse. I’m gonna be a teacher for a spell.”

Janey smiled, slow and knowing. “As long as youneedme to.”

She stood, smoothing down her fine silk dress—the kind that didn’t belong in Butts, Mississippi.Somebodyhad driven her there; she sure as hell hadn’t walked those muddy roads in those shoes. Her blue dress shimmered iridescent under the dim light, catching Kathy’s eye like the scales of a rainbow trout.

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