“I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
“No, baby, you aren’t disturbing me.”
“I thought you’d be at the hospital with Miss Ophelia.”
“My cousin is with her. He ran me out of there. Said I needed a break.” She laughs even though I’m sure she’s sad.
“I won’t keep you; I just wanted you to know everyone in our pledge class is thinking about you and we’re all saying prayers.”
She tilts her head back with a chuckle. “We could use every one of them, too.”
As rotten as she must feel, she still has a good sense of humor. “I have something for you.” I dig inside my pocket and remove the small cool rock. “It’s nothing big. I just thought it might help you.” I open my palm. “My grandfather gave this to me when I was little.”
With inquisitive eyes, she takes the stone from my hand. “Why, thank you, baby.” She peers at the lettering on top, then stretches out her arm. “I can hardly read anything these days.”
“It’s says:The Lord Is My Rock.”
Running her thumb across the top, she says, “He certainly is.”
“I rub on it when I’m stressed or feeling down. I thought it might be a comfort to you.”
“I know it will.” She slips it inside her pocket.
“Are you doing okay?” I ask cautiously. I don’t want to make her cry, but I do want her to know I’m concerned.
“Not really, but this is life.” There’s a faraway look in her eyes. She’s fatigued. I know I would be.
“Life can suck sometimes,” I say with a slight chuckle.
“We were never promised an easy ride. That I know.”
“You sound like my grandfather.”
“My mama told me that a long time ago.” Her smile fades, then she shuts her eyes. “I sure wish she was here with us now.”
“When did she die?”
“Let me see now.” She uses her fingers to calculate the time. “She passed fifteen years ago the seventeenth of August.” Biting down on her lip she adds, “Aunt Fee took her place. It’s hard to lose a mother all over again.”
Melancholy tugs at me now, for some surprising reason. I look down at the floor.
“Cali? Did I say something wrong?” She gently lifts my chin with two fingers.
I shake my head. “I’m sorry. It’s just—” I stop short of spilling the details.
“What is it, baby?”
“Nothing. I didn’t come here to talk about me. I only wanted to give you my prayer stone, and tell you we’re all praying.” I take a step back. “I’m sure you’ve got lots to do.”
She steps forward, then stretches her arm across my back. “Why don’t you step inside my office?”
“Oh no, I’m… with all you have going on, I’m…”
Guiding me inside, she motions for me to sit. There’s not much room, but there are two stools. “Have a seat, baby.” After taking the other chair, she pulls the door shut. Then she turns to face me with her hands on her knees. “Girls come in here to talk about all kinds of things. If there’s something bothering you, go on and say it.” Her face lights with compassion and she chuckles softly.
Miss Pearl is even nicer than I thought. I get the feeling she’s a safe harbor, so I decide to test the waters. “When you said it’s hard to lose a mother it hit home, that’s all.” Out of habit I reach up for my cross, zip it nervously on the chain.
“Did you lose your mother?”
