Azalea glared at me for a moment. “Ain’t nothing you need to worry about.” She turned toward the stove, her back and shoulders stiff.

I went back to my paper and my coffee. Though I still burned with curiosity, I knew better than to push the issue.

The scent of bacon frying soon perfumed the air. Azalea remained silent as she tended the stove, and I gazed at the paper without comprehending much of what I read. Did anyone in Athena actually like Vera Cassity? I had seldom encountered anyone who seemed to engender universal antipathy as she did.

Justin entered the kitchen. Diesel ambled along beside him. “Good morning, Mr. Charlie, Miss Azalea.”

“Good morning, Justin.” I held out a hand to Diesel, who butted his head against it. “And good morning to you, boy.”

The cat chirped at me, and I could have sworn he also grinned. I scratched his head, and he purred with pleasure.

Justin helped himself to orange juice from the refrigerator while Azalea poured him a cup of coffee. He thanked her, and she nodded before she turned back to the stove.

He glanced at me with a faint frown, and I shrugged. Azalea had failed to extend him her usual greeting, and I couldn’t explain why to him, not with Azalea right there. Justin shook his head as he sat down across from me.

“Exams going well?” I folded the paper and laid it aside.

“Fine, as far as I can tell.” Justin took a swig of orange juice. “English lit’s going to be a monster.” He shook his head. “The professor warned us to expect to spend the whole three hours on it. My brain’ll probably be completely wrung out by the time it’s over.”

“Even so, I’m sure you’ll do fine. You have an A in the class, don’t you?” I already knew he did. He was not only bright, but also a hard worker. He didn’t accept anything other than A’s in all his courses.

“Yes, sir.” He blushed. “But I want to keep it, so I can’t let the exam do me in.”

“When is it?”

“This afternoon, at one.” He scratched his bearded chin.

“I’ll send good vibes your way.” I chuckled. “Though I doubt you really need them.”

Justin grinned, and as I regarded him, I marveled at the changes in him over the past year. When he first moved in, the fall semester of the previous year, he had been shy, gawky, and unsure of himself. After a traumatic first semester he’d blossomed into a more outgoing, physically active, and confident young man. I was as proud of him as if he were one of my own.

Azalea set plates of scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon in front of Justin and me. She glared at me when she was done. “Don’t you be letting that woman back in this house. Miss Dottie like to rise up and haunt you. And I won’t set foot in here again.”