“Naw, that ain’t necessary. We trust you.” Milton snatched the money, folded it, and slid it into his pocket. Then he turned to Yvonne. “Baby, you go back out there with Joyce and I’ll go put the money away.” Before she could respond, he whirled around and darted across the floor so fast, he almost ran into the wall.

After two drinks, a few deviled eggs, and some fried green tomatoes, my stomach started feeling queasy. I went home and took a pill, but it didn’t make me feel any better. I read for an hour, took another pill, and went to bed.

* * *

I was on the couch drinking my first cup of coffee when Yvonne knocked on the door Saturday morning at seven thirty. I had drunk a neipee drink a few minutes ago. This time I’d used a whole teaspoon of the powder and it had left a foul taste in my mouth. The coffee was helping get rid of that nasty taste. I was getting impatient with the neipee mixture, and I felt much better than I had last night, but not well enough to entertain company. I smiled anyway. “Good morning, Yvonne.”

“Morning, Joyce. Brrrr. It’s getting so cold outside,” she complained, blowing on her hands. She wore a man’s black, double-breasted peacoat over a bright red dress with black buttons from the neck down to the hem. She looked like the inside of a watermelon. I had never seen her in these homely pieces before.

I winced as I looked her over. I had never seen her looking so dowdy. She was more into cute skimpy dresses, skintight britches, and low-cut blouses. I had to comment on her outfit. “I’m not used to seeing you dressed like that.”

She slapped the side of her thigh and guffawed like a hyena. “I ain’t used to dressing in nothing this plain. Somebody left this coat at the house one night and never asked for it back. And I don’t remember where I picked up this dress. I put it on because I ain’t done laundry this week. But there wasn’t no reason for me to put on no makeup and one of my good frocks just to come next door, right?” I wondered how she could rattle off so many words all in the same breath.

“Right. Well, since you’re here, make yourself at home.” I sighed as I slowly beckoned her in.

“How you feeling now?” She rushed in and immediately started walking toward the couch with me dragging my feet behind her.

I decided that if she stayed more than ten minutes, I would claim to be sick again, and needed to be in bed. “Much better. Thank you for asking.”

“Good. I’d hate for you to be sick over here by yourself.”