“Let me dig a little more to see what I can find and then I’ll share.”

“Okay. I’m gonna trust you, but next week, reveal all.”

“Promise.”

“Oh, and Piers?”

“Yeah, boss?”

“Take some time off. I highly recommend it.”

We hang up just as Madame Mother enters the room clad in a simple silk robe with her hair brushed into curls. Mama’s still relaxing her hair, and probably will kneel at the chemical altar until the day she dies. She’s never had work done on her face. Why would she? Her skin is nearly as smooth and taut as it was when I was a kid.

“Morning, Mama.” I sip my tea. “You look lovely.”

“Thank you.” She sets her coffee on the table along with a plate of eggs and toast. “What is it the kids say? Black don’t crack? That black girl magic?”

Hearing her parrot things “the kids” say makes my lips twitch.

“Who was that on the phone?” she asks.

“Piers, one of my staff. We’re gearing up for the gubernatorial race.”

“Which one?” She pauses in buttering a slice of toast.

“Georgia.” I wink and flash her a smile. “I’m hoping Congressman Ruiz will hire us.”

“Did Keith talk to you about his campaign?”

My smile slips. “Briefly.”

“And?” Mama cocks an imperious brow.

“We’ll see.”

“We’ll see?” Mama drops her toast and any pretense of casual interest. “Kimba Truth Allen, are you telling me you’ll get that white boy elected president, make this Mateo man a governor, but can’t be bothered to help your own brother?”

My chin auto-lifts, defiant before I have time to catch it. “I’m telling you I’m not sure Keith should be running at all.”

“And who made you the expert?”

“I did, Mama. I literally made myself the expert by doing this and doing it well the last fifteen years of my life.”

“Don’t forget what your father used to say.” Mama resumes buttering her toast. “Family is most important. Don’t get too big for your britches.”

“My britches are sized just right, thank you very much,” I say, caressing the gold ring on my thumb. “Daddy also said never take on a problem that has no solution. If Keith isn’t cut out for this, he’ll spend his entire political career going from one fire to the next frying pan. I, for one, will not babysit his ass through that, and I won’t mislead the people of this district into that disappointment.”

“If you won’t help him, we’ll find someone who will.”

“You are completely missing the point,” I say, dropping my volume to mutter. “As usual.”

“What’d you say? Don’t be talking under your breath to me, young lady. Say what you have to say if you’re gonna say it.”