“It went well,” I tell her.
“No hiccups?”
“Nothing I couldn’t handle.” A part of me wants to get her opinion on thebig hiccup that happened here yesterday, but I don’t want to worry her. Not tonight.
“You must be ready to get in your own bed.”
“I might be spoiled by yours. It sure is comfortable. I felt like I was queen for the weekend.”
She chuckles softly, gets a sparkle in her eye. “Would you be open to doing it again sometime?”
“Of course.” Despite the brouhaha with Miss Lilith, the thought of this still makes me happy. Like I told Kadeesha, progress.
“Pardon me,” she says, talking through another yawn. “I’m afraid I lost too much sleep this weekend.”
I figure that’s my cue to head on home, so I stand up. “Something struck me as funny while I was lying in your bed, Mama Carla. Before last night, I’d never spent one night in this House.”
“Never?”
“No, ma’am. After all these years.” I gather up my pocketbook and overnight case. “By the way, there are clean sheets on your bed.”
“Oh, for goodness’ sake, Pearl, you didn’t need to do that.”
“Yes, I did. I knew you’d be too tired to do it yourself.”
“Well, thank you. You’re a dear. On the way in I noticed the House looks spotless. Did Kadeesha behave herself?”
“That’s another story. We can talk about it tomorrow.” We both chuckle, too tired to say much more. “Oh, I almost forgot. Miss Lilith asked me to have you call her soon as you get back.” I search her face, looking for her reaction. I’m not going to give her a blow by blow, but I feel as if I have to at least pass on the request. If not it could borrow trouble for Mama Carla.
She puts a finger to her chin. “Did she, now?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I cut my eyes at her. She knows we’re both thinking the same thing. “Soon as she saw it was me taking your place.”
She leans her head back, shuts her eyes. “Well. WhateverMiss Lilithneeds will have to wait until tomorrow. Good night, my dear.”
“Good night, Mama Carla. Get some rest.”
Our pudgy-faced security guard stops me as soon as I walk out of her apartment. “Finally going home, Miss Pearl?” he says, sweet as he can be.
“Yes, Oliver, I sure am.”
“Want me to walk you to your car?”
“No, thank you, baby. I’ll be just fine. But you’re mighty sweet to ask.” I’ve trekked to the parking lot a thousand times by myself. And I imagine I’ll be doing it plenty more.
It’s quiet in the kitchen when I walk through to the back door. The only sound is the soft hum from the icemaker. When I push the door to and lock it from the outside I feel a deep sense of pride in how I’ve spent the last sixty-two hours. A soft rain is falling; Lord knows we need it. I start toward the parking lot, but something makes me turn around. I look up at the second story. The upstairs study room is brightly lit and through the blinds I can see some of the girls’ silhouettes bending over their books. A thought comes to mind. Something I can see as clearly as Paul saw Jesus on that road to Damascus. I haven’t thought about it much in a few years. But now I believe the timing is just right.
THIRTY
WILDA
The second I woke up, Monday morning after the game, Lilith Whitmore’s face popped into my mind’s eye. Four months ago she was a tiny head on an old composite in my attic. Now she’s occupying more space in my worry room than I ever knew I had. I’ve been practicing what I’ll say to her over and over again and by now, tenA.M., I’m about to have a nervous breakdown. I’ve been on the toilet all morning.
In my mind, I get as far as: Hi Lilith, this is Wilda, how are you today? Nice weather we’re having, huh? Then I hear her say: Actually it’s the hottest September on record. Did you really call to talk about the weather or is there something else on your mind? Spit it out, Wilda, I don’t have all day. Or even: Wilda, I’m glad you called. There are a few things about Rush we need to discuss. Particularly that Cali Watkins. I saw the rec you sent in for her and heard you and Haynes invited her to the game. Do you honestly think she’s Alpha Delt material?
Define Alpha Delt material for me, would you please, Lilith? Because a daughter who is falling down drunk in the Grove does not seem to be in line with your definition. Ellie made me swear not to tell Haynes but, apparently,Annie Laurie had to be carried back to the dorm. And that sweet Cali Watkins sacrificed her seat at the game to take care of her. Ellie also told me that Lilith was not very friendly to Cali at the Grove party. The irony of that is astonishing.
On the way home from the game I told Haynes about my talk with Lizzie. He thought it was hilarious. I told him that there was nothing in the least bit funny about me telling Lilith Whitmore she can no longer attend Rush meetings and that he was no help at all. He reminded me how few people were at the party, and said I shouldn’t be in the least bit afraid of her. After nearly thirty-five years of marriage, wouldn’t you think he’d know me a little better than that?
