Maybe she was taking some of the nurse’s advice and taking up a little exercise. I didn’t say another word about it.

“Well, great. Thanks for making the coffee.”

She put the paper down and whispered to me.

“What did you really think of Charlie?”

“I think he’s a little cracked. I really do,” I whispered back. “His arrival was just so blatant. I mean, where’s his consideration for Leslie’s feelings?”

“Thank you,” she said and resumed reading, satisfied with my answer.

Then she put her paper down again.

“Do you think she’s going to patch things up with him?”

“No. I don’t. Look, Leslie is super cool with Charlie’s choices. She’s not super cool having a female impersonator for a husband, especially one who wants to live in drag twenty-four seven.”

“I imagine that would be pretty complicated.”

I dropped a slice of bread in the toaster and pulled down the lever.

“And I think you might be relieved to know that there was not one single person at the wedding I recognized.”

“I was waiting for the telephone to start ringing.”

“Well, I’m just saying I don’t think Charlie found the audience he was hoping for. What are you reading so intently?”

“The obits. What else? Do you know there are people in here younger than me?”

“I imagine so. Life’s a gift, that’s why they call today the present.”

“You’re a regular Hallmark card over there, missy.”

“I was just kidding.”

My toast popped up. I put it on a paper towel and buttered it. Momma continued reading the paper and I stood eating my breakfast over the sink.

“So I’m working four shifts at Publix this week. They’re only six hours each. Do you think you or Leslie could keep an eye on the boys for me?”

“Of course! I think they’re going to need a lot of attention for the foreseeable future,” Momma said. “I’m sure Sharon is going to try and establish authority over them. From everything I’ve seen and heard, she’s a tough cookie.”

“She is,” I said and wondered what was going on with me that I was agreeing with Momma right and left. “And thanks. I’m gonna go over there now because I know Archie and his bride are taking off soon. I want to be sure the boys get a good breakfast.”

“I know where to find you,” she said.

I was just putting some things together to take next door—a book I was reading, my toothbrush, and a pair of pajamas—when the phone rang. Leslie must’ve picked it up, and a few minutes later she came into the kitchen.

“Is there any coffee left?”

“Good morning!” Momma said. “Decent people have been up for hours, you know.”

“It’s the weekend, Momma. Decent people also sleep later on the weekends.”