Page 36 of A Taste of Grace

As she always did at church, Aunt Nita referred to me by my formal title.

“Thank you, Auntie. Have you decided if you’re coming to dinner today?”

Aunt Nita shook her head.

“No. That time is for your girls, your mama, and Grace.”

I jerked my head.

“How did you know Grace was coming?”

“She told me at lunch yesterday.”

My interest was piqued.

“Really? Y’all talked about me?” I stroked my chin and puffed my chest out a little.

“Among other things.”

“Spill the tea. What’d she say?” I sat on the edge of my desk and crossed my arms.

“I’m not getting in the middle of y’all’s business. Talk to her yourself.”

“You’re chatty any other time.”

Aunt Nita wagged her finger at me.

“That little attitude is exactly why I’m leaving you to your own devices. Being grown for no reason.”

I wanted to tell her I been grown but knew she’d keep going back and forth with me. We were the king and queen of one-liners.

“Let me go so I can pick up the girls from children’s church.” I kissed Aunt Nita on the cheek and headed across campus.

When I finished my church work, the girls and I headed home. They chatted with each other in the seat as I processed the day’s activities. The low hum of Marvin Winans’ latest album played in the background.

“Is Ms. Grace still coming over?” Esther’s voice rang through the car.

“I think so. When we get home, I’ll check to see if she messaged me.”

“She’s fun, Daddy. Can you call her?” Hannah asked.

“We’ll see her soon enough, so wait until we get to the house. We don’t want to bug her, sweetheart.”

“But she’s our friend,” Esther whined.

I eyed the girls in my rearview mirror.

“What did I say about patience? We will chat with Ms. Grace when she joins us today.”

My girls finally shifted to talking about dolls until I pulled into the driveway.

“Please take off your clothes, hang up your dresses, and remove the bows from your hair. Put on the play clothes we laid out before church. Then I’ll give you a snack. Maw Maw will be here soon.”

The girls unbuckled their seat belts and hopped out of the car, rushing to the porch and the bikes by the door.

“No. What did I tell you about obedience?”

“You said we lose privileges if we don’t listen to you,” Esther chirped.

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