“We were careless when we went to the lake house. Stopped to grab something from the corner store up there. Al found the receipt, asked questions…” She gives a sad laugh and shake of her head. “Ruth is a terrible liar.”

She hasn’t looked at me while she told the story, but now her sad eyes find mine. “Love is not a tidy thing, Kimba. It can’t ever be perfect because none of us are. Someone at some point will make a mess. The test of that love is how you clean it up. Your father stayed and we cleaned it up together.”

Mama turns back to the counter, snapping string beans again.

“I’m glad you were able to stop Serena Washington,” Mama says. “That night, the four of us agreed we would never tell. We all had things to lose. This would be a scandal now. But then?”

Mama bends a meaningful look on me. “Back then? Our lives would have been ruined. I would have told the world what I just told you if it meant clearing your father’s name, though. For Ruth’s sake, I’m glad we won’t have to.”

I have questions but asking them would feel like defiling an offering Mama made freely. She told me what she thought I should know, and that’s good enough for me.

“I hated losing her,” Mama says, smiling. “As a friend. We knew what happened between us was a mistake almost before it started, but sometimes when you’re lonely and hurt, you’ll try anything to feel better.”

“Thank you for telling me.” I swallow my curiosity and shock. “I think… I suspect Mrs. Stern told Ezra, too.”

Mama grins and transfers the string beans from the sink into a pot. “Ruth and I always thought you two would find your way. I thought we had ruined it, but I guess fate had other ideas.”

My laugh is bitter, hollow. “Fate has a sick sense of humor.”

“Explain,” Mama says, frowning.

“After all these years we finally found our way back to each other at just the right time when he’s free, but his ex is now pregnant and I’m in perimenopause.”

“Pregnant?” Mama searches my face. “What are you going to do?”

“He’s on his way here. Aiko was going to the doctor, so he should know now if it’s his or not.” I slump against the counter. “Mama, if it’s his, I can’t do it. I can’t watch her carry his baby while I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to have one. Congressman Ruiz’s campaign is my first truly solo, without Lennix. I want to get this right. I have to. I hope Ruiz would make a difference for people here in Georgia who need help. It’s gonna be the fight of my life.”

“Do you love him?” Mama asks softly.