“How much something?”

“I don’t know yet. Probably no more than five hundred.”

“That’s a lotta money. For some of us.”

“If you can, you can. If you can’t, you can’t. Don’t worry about it, Charlotte.”

“You’ll take care of it if we can’t come through, ain’t that right, Paris?”

“I don’t know. I’ve got a lot on my plate right now, too. Look, I just wanted you to know.”

“All right. That’s it?”

“I guess. But are you sure you’re feeling okay, Charlotte?”

“Couldn’t be better. Look, I gotta go, Paris.”

“Okay, Charlotte, but call me if you need to talk.”

“I will. And tell Dingus to make that girl get a abortion. He don’t need no baby. He got a future ahead of him. Bye.”

I’m in shock. She’s getting a divorce? Charlotte loves Al, and he’s been there for her and those kids since the beginning of time. Do you fault somebody for something they did a long time ago when it comes back to haunt them? It doesn’t seem fair, but, then again, I’m not in her shoes.

I can’t go into my office now. No way. I feel like I’m floating in a holding zone, waiting for this guy to show up and a call from New York. Why isn’t she calling? Did the deal fall through? I dial my other sister, who answers on the first ring.

“How’re you doing, Janelle?”

“I’m fine. And you?”

“Exhausted, if you want to know the truth.”

“Me, too.”

“You won’t believe this.”

“What?”

“Charlotte says she’s divorcing Al because some woman from his past hit him up for child support.”

“I can think of better reasons to divorce your husband than that. She’s not divorcing him. Wait and see.”

“I don’t know. Have you talked to Shanice?”

“Yes I have. She’s fine. She and Mama are bonding.”

“You miss her?”

“Of course I miss her.”

“Well, when’s she coming home?”

“I don’t know right now.”

“Why don’t you know?”

“Because there’s a lot of confusion around my house.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t feel like getting into it right now, Paris.”

“Why not, Janelle? You never feel like talking about anything that really matters. Why is that?”

“That’s not true. It’s just that sometimes other people can’t solve your problems.”

“Did I say anything about solving your problems? No. But I’m your sister, bitch, and if something is wrong over there, I just wanted you to know you can talk to me.”

“I know.”

“Then why aren’t you?”

“I am.”

“No you’re not, Janelle. Something is going on with your daughter and your husband and you’re not telling it.”

“You’re right. But, like I said, Paris, I have to work this out myself.”

“But you’re not very good at that.”

“You don’t know what I’m good at.”

“I’ve only known you for thirty-five years, Janelle. We grew up in the same house. So—I think I do.”

“Look, can we talk about something else? Like Mama’s birthday, for instance?”