“Hm. As if I didn’t see right through that lie.” She stalked across the room and yanked open the heavy blackout curtains I always installed when the weather turned cold. A flood of pale, wintery sunlight flooded the room. “Look at all of this dust!”

“Minerva, please,” I grumbled.

“Please, nothing. I haven’t been here in almost three weeks. And I said to myself that there’s only two reasons why you wouldn’t want me to come over. You either hired someone else, or you’re over here rolling in your own filth.” Minerva came to stand over me. “And here I find you in bed at midday.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t feel great.”

“I reckon you don’t with all of that whiskey you’ve been drinking. I saw the bottles in the trash before I emptied it. Had the whole house stinking like Bourbon Street on a Friday night during Mardi Gras.”

“Okay, whatever. Will you close the blinds so I can sleep off this hangover?”

“No, ma’am. You’ve done enough of that. Time to get out of this bed and into the bath.”

I opened my eyes and glared at her. “Last time I checked, my mama was Black and living on Daniel Island.”

Minerva narrowed her eyes until they were nothing but glittering, blue shards. “You’re right about that. Would you like me to get her on the phone so she can come down here and drag her daughter out of bed?”

“Are you seriously threatening to call my mother?”

“You’re the one who brought her up! If getting her on the phone will get you out of these stale sheets and into the shower to put some hot water and soap on your body, I’ll do it.” She folded her arms over her chest and shifted her weight onto one foot. “So, what’s it gonna be? Should I go start the shower?”

Defeated, I sighed and closed my eyes. “Fine.”

“Good.” Minerva turned her back and marched into my bedroom. “I’ll lay some fresh pajamas out for you too.”

“I’m not saying thank you!” I yelled at her back.

Irritated, I kicked off the covers in a small, silent tantrum. So what, it was midday on Tuesday, and I’d been drinking since Sunday night? Work was slow, and I had no kids to take care of — not to mention the fact that I was fifty-five goddamn years old. I’d earned this wallow. I was allowed.

But had it really been three weeks since Minnie had come by to clean the house?

Well, yeah…that sounds about right.