We did not go to the cemetery. I delivered a sheet cake to the house for all those who would stop by to help Archie and the boys get through the remainder of the day.

I watched from my living room as dozens of people came and went from Archie’s house. There were at least ten or so kids at any given time, running around their yard. It was good to see children there again, to hear their laughter and to see Hunter and Tyler at play, just being kids.

Around seven that night I got a text message from Archie.

Thanks for the cake, it read.

You’re welcome, I answered.

I guessed then that the door was open to me again. As much as I had once wanted to be with him, that day I decided to let him come to me. I stopped blaming myself then, because what was done was done and it could not be changed. And I also knew that the hive had a will of its own.

Chapter 32: Good to Bee

“How do the bees get the nectar out of the flowers?” Hunter asked.

“Well, they can fold their tongue like a drinking straw and then they suck it out.”

“Like this?” He rolled his tongue and made a great slurping sound.

“Yes,” I said and thought he was priceless.

Chapter Thirty-Two

Good to Bee

Leslie and I were up early and driving Momma to MUSC first thing in the morning. I’d had no further communication from Archie. And I was pretty sure Leslie had not been in touch with Char. Our focus was all on the QB.

“Did you talk to Suzanne?” Leslie said. “Does anyone want me to stop at Dunkin’ for coffee?”

“Yes, of course,” Momma said. “I talked to Suzanne.”

“I wouldn’t mind an iced coffee with cream,” I said.

Leslie pulled into the drive-through lane at Dunkin’ Donuts on Coleman Boulevard.

“Y’all want anything else?”

“I wouldn’t shoot you if you got me a glazed doughnut,” I said.

“You’ve got it,” Leslie said. “Actually, that sounds pretty good.”

“I’m not allowed food or drink,” Momma said.

“I know,” Leslie said. “I’ll get you doughnuts when this is over. So what did Suzanne say?”

“She wanted to come,” Momma said. “I told her no.”

“Why?” I said. “I’d love to meet her.”

“Well, you might meet her sometime but not today. I’m too nervous about this procedure to play hostess.”

“I understand that,” Leslie said. “But if Suzanne were to come, I doubt she’d be expecting you to show her the town.”

“Exactly, and I’d want to. I mean, after all she did for us in Las Vegas.”

Leslie gave our order and we drove around to pay.

“Did Char come up in conversation?” Leslie said and handed the person at the window a twenty-dollar bill.