Page 81 of One Good Reason

“Papa Joe had a thing for cars. I grew up wanting a ‘75 Cobra.”

“Joe paid a grip for that car to get restored. He had bought it the prior year and spent the whole time harassing them folks down at the shop. It had to be perfect for his Tali.”

“Don’t be jealous, Gema,” I toyed.

“You still got it?”

“Yep. It doesn’t run anymore but it’s back at home.”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“Chile blew the damn motor out. Running up and down that highway to school. I tried to get her to put it down and buy something else to put miles on, but she was hardheaded.”

“It was a keepsake, Gema. Papa Joe poured so much love into that car, I didn’t want to replace it.”

“Well then, why you ain’t got it fixed?” she countered.

“I don’t know.” I shrugged. A few years ago, I thought about getting it fixed so I could put it back on the road but with Papa Joe no longer being alive, the drive to fix it up just wasn’t there anymore. So, I let it sit.

“I keep telling that ole stubborn chile she better do something fo’ Jalitha sell it right under her nose.”

“That’ll be the day I whoop yo’ daughters’ ass,” I based, garnering a deep laugh out of Law.

After he stopped laughing, he said, “Gema right. You probably need to get somebody to haul it up here. Even if you don’t get it fixed… don’t leave it sitting down there.”

“I’ll think about it. Can you get Gema set up at the table while I go get Mrs. Jessie?”

“I can. Come on Gema.” Law stood and offered her a hand. Instead of taking it, she looped her arm through his and held onto him.

Once I finished what I was doing, I turned off the burner and plated the food. Calling out for Mrs. Jessie, I let her know she could come eat. Mrs. Jessie and I worked in sync to take the plates into the dining room and as soon as we were seated, Gema blessed the food.

CHAPTER 19

Lawton

“As candid as your granny and Mrs. Jessie is, you would think they were old friends,” I mentioned. Stepping out of my shoes, I pushed them over in the corner and took a seat at the foot of Talitha’s bed.

“The two of them together runs me up a wall.” She laughed. “I promise they clicked so fast. I tell Mrs. Jessie all the time I felt like God placed her in my path for a reason.”

“If you hadn’t of told me, I promise I wouldn’t have known they weren’t related.”

“Everybody who meets them says the same thing.”

Grabbing her hand, I pulled her until she was standing between my open legs. “Thank you for inviting me over for dinner.”

“You’re welcome. I figured it was the least I could do since you were so gracious the other night.”

“Gracious.” I laughed. “Is that what we’re calling it?”

“I guess. And Mrs. Jessie caught us when you dropped me off, so I guess we don’t to sneak around over here.”

“She caught us?”

“Hell yeah.” Talitha laughed. “She didn’t say anything to Gema about it, but she definitely saw us.”

“That’s funny.”

“Why is that?” She slammed her hands on her hips.

---