“Oh? Do you think your aunt and uncle will be bringing them over to celebrate Christmas with y’all?”

“I wrote a letter to Aunt Nadine last week and asked her. She wrote back right away and said no because they’d already brung them over here a few weeks ago. Besides, my uncle’s arthritis is so bad he hates to drive all the way from Mobile. Aunt Nadine never learned how to drive, so they only get in that old truck when they have to these days.”

“That’s too bad.” I gave Yvonne a sympathetic look and shook my head. “It’s a shame your folks still don’t want your kids to know you’re their real mama until they get grown.”

“Well, I agreed to that arrangement when they was babies because I was living from pillar to post with all the wrong men. There ain’t nothing I can do about that now. Them two years I spent in jail, then marrying Milton and starting a bootlegging business, clinched the deal. My folks is so holy, they would never overlook my lifestyle and bring my kids to visit me more often.” A sad look crossed Yvonne’s face. She sniffled and cleared her throat before she spoke again. “We might also use some of the money from you and Odell to ride the bus to Mobile. That way we can spend Christmas and a few days with my kids.”

I folded my arms and gave her a stern look. “I don’t think that’s such a good idea.”

“Huh?” Yvonne looked so confused you would have thought I was speaking Spanish. She blinked and hunched her shoulders. “You don’t?” She didn’t sound so chirpy now.

“The thing is, if you and Milton miss more work too soon, y’all will have more money problems. And I don’t think Odell would be willing for us to give y’all another cash gift anytime soon.”

“Well, we’ll cross that bridge when and if we get to it. Thinking about money all the time is so stressful.” Yvonne didn’t look like she was worried at all. But I was. I had a feeling I’d regret getting involved in their business when money was the issue. And I was sure Odell would feel the same way.

CHAPTER 23 - YVONNE

CHAPTER 23

YVONNE

WHEN I GOT BACK HOME, MILTON WAS STANDING AT THE KITCHEN sink cleaning the chicken feet I was going to cook and serve to our guests tonight. “How come you back so soon? Queen of Sheba must have said something you didn’t like again.” He chuckled.