Page 107 of Misrule
“I’m so glad you made it,” Meggie continued.
Kendall searched for a seat. However, the only available place was a spot next to Zoann on the loveseat. Pursing her lips, Kendall smiled, then decided to stand behind Roxy’s chair.
“I’m not going to bite you,” Zoann said sharply.
Instead of replying, Kendall shrugged.
“Lawd Jesus, give me strength,” Roxy said, getting to her feet, and walking to the loveseat. She plopped next to Zoann. “Now, sit, child.”
“Yes, please,” Meggie said, sad at how uncomfortable and awkward this was for everyone. “Let me take your jacket.”
Shrugging out of it, Kendall held it out to Meggie. “It’s going to be in the usual place,” she said, heading to the mudroom and hanging it on one of the hooks.
When she returned, the room had fallen silent. The men seemed lost in their own thoughts and the women were twirling their hair, picking at their clothes, or playing on their phones.
Girding her resolve, Meggie reseated herself, trying to think of something to say. The problem was Kendall. No one wanted to share even a little secret in front of her because they didn’t trust what she’d do with the information. Too many times before she’d burned them.
“Rory misses you,” Meggie started, then regretted the words. She didn’t want the drama of Kendall discovering her children were living under Meggie’s roof.
She hadn’t been able to tell Johnnie no, because he’d seemed so distraught, in no condition to care for his kids.
“I miss Rory, too,” Kendall said in a soft voice. “All my children. I worry they’ll forget about me.”
“I thought Johnnie brought them over to visit you?” Fee asked in surprise.
“He does,” Kendall confirmed. “But it isn’t the same as living with them and watching their daily milestones.”
“Just hold on, baby,” Roxy encouraged. “You’re going to get through this.”
Kendall blinked away the tears glistening in her eyes.
“Er, Kendall, would you like to be my matron-of-honor?” Bailey asked.
“Really?” Kendall whispered.
Bailey nodded.
“I’d love to. Thank you for asking.”
Silence fell again.
After an eternity, Kendall cleared her throat and smiled at Roxy. “I can’t believe your hair came back like normal hair.”
Zoann rolled her eyes. “Oh my God, you’re beyond fucking ignorant. I just remembered why I didn’t talk to you.”
“Your hair is so long now. So pretty,” Kendall went on, ignoring Zoann. “Normal.”
Roxy scowled at Kendall. “What the fuck you mean, sugar? Normal? My hair was always fucking normal.”
Kendall frowned. “How so? I mean…” She gulped at Roxy’s glare. “Um, you know, um…your hair was really considered normal hair?”
Shaking her head, Roxy laughed. If she let the matter drop, Meggie hoped Zoann would, too.
“Johnnie?” Kendall called, drawing his attention in her direction. She pointed to Roxy’s long curls. “Isn’t it gorgeous? Even prettier than it was when it first started growing back.”
Johnnie winced and offered Roxy a sheepish smile.
“Please, boy,” Roxy said with a snort, perceptive as always. “Nothing Kendall thinks, says, or does, embarrasses, offends, or shocks me. You’re the one always caught off-guard.”
