Page 12 of A Taste of Grace

“Oh. They’re ‘no filter’ young. I’d love to help, but my expertise is writing, not babysitting.”

“I wouldn’t ask if I wasn’t in a bind. My nephew’s little girls can be quite a handful.” Nita tsked.

Since Nita had been so considerate during our visit, I wanted to repay her kindness.

“I’m happy to help. What are their names?”

“Hannah and Esther.”

“Will their father be okay with me being around them?”

Nita chuckled.

“It’s not that serious. Keith vouches for you, so you’re good.”

Nita must have picked up on my continued hesitancy because she added, “I’ll tell my nephew I vetted you.”

“How long will he and his wife be out?”

“He’s not married, dear.”

“Oh.” My eyes widened.

My analytical mind went into overdrive. I instantly wondered what happened to his wife. Or was she a baby mama? Was she dead?

“He’s the new pastor of Haven of Hope and Blessings and a busy man. I need someone around the girls with discretion.”

“You know I don’t know enough people to gossip about anything.”

“Cool. I’ll text you his address.”

Unexpected

“Sorry for the last-minute notice,but I’m not able to babysit tonight.” Aunt Nita’s voice rang through my cell’s speaker phone as I finished tying my black tie for the night’s ministerial gala.

“Do I need to drive by and lay hands on you? I’m looking at a fresh case of anointing oil, so I’m ready to rebuke sickness in the Name of Jesus.” I rubbed my hands together and honed in on the unopened brown box on my dining room floor.

I was serious. Aunt Nita was the most reliable woman I knew. If she cancelled, I wouldn’t hesitate to cover her in prayer.

“Boy, I’m fine. Take that pastor hat off and save that oil for somebody who really needs it. Callie had a bad day. She’s still struggling after Willie Earl’s death.”

Mrs. Callie was one of Aunt Nita’s best friends. Just last week, I eulogized Mr. Willie Earl at Haven of Hope and Blessings. The paramedics had to carry Mrs. Callie out on a stretcher right behind Mr. Willie Earl’s casket.

“Do what you need to, Auntie, and tell Mrs. Callie I’m here if she needs me,” I said as my oven timer dinged.

With my tie still hanging loosely around my neck, I rushed to the kitchen and turned off the oven to pull out my girls’ dinner.

“I won’t leave you hangin’…as the young kids say. I’m sending my replacement over right now.” Aunt Nita chuckled.

Relief overtook me, but curiosity quickly replaced it. As a self-proclaimed control freak, I wanted to know who would be in my home in my absence.

“Are you sure they’re trustworthy?” I tried to be as respectful as I could without grilling Aunt Nita.

I could never be too careful with the two most precious gifts I had on earth, my six- and eight-year-old daughters.

“Do you think I would allow anyone to harm my precious babies? Grace will probably take care of them better than I would.”

Grace.I sighed in relief as I sliced the kids’ cheese pizza.

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