“Fine. Just hurry.” I stooped down and my sister had my head wrapped so tight that my eyes were pulling upwards. I had no clue if lice could jump, fly, or magically teleport from one head to another, but it seemed wise to err on the side of caution.

We made quick work of moving all the linens and clothing to the laundry room. By the time I rotated the laundry and had wiped all the hard surfaces down in the bathroom and their room, Walynn not only had the boys deloused but she’d also cut their hair.

After she completed the others’ haircuts, I handed Walynn the money Pa gave me earlier for the haircuts and added a fifty of my own money to cover the treatment kits and her time.

“I think the best way to wash this day off is to go for a swim.”

Everyone agreed but Walynn. She grabbed her bag and turned to leave.

“Miss Walynn, ain’t you gonna swim with us?” Knox asked, trailing behind her.

“I can’t, sugar. I have to get back to work.” She offered him a kind smile. “Perhaps another time?”

Knox nodded his head vigorously. “Okay!”

“Y’all go get your suits on and leave your dirty clothes by the washing machine.” I waited until everyone was inside before speaking. “Miss Walynn —”

“Just Walynn. We’re probably closer in age than not,” she said, but I figured she had to be more than ten years older than me, not close at all.

“I just wanted to apologize for calling you nasty names.”

“You didn’t call me any names.” She fished a tissue from her bag and dabbed her forehead and cheeks with it. The humidity had melted a good bit of the caked-on makeup off and had taken the tease out of her bangs. She should have taken us up on the swim.

“I said them in my thoughts, and Pa says that’s just as bad as speaking them out loud.” I shrugged and shoved my hands in my back pockets.

She giggled even though my admission didn’t hold any humor. “I’m used to being called ugly names.”

And that just made me feel even more lousy. “Being called names isn’t something you should have to be used to, nor should you put up with it. Again, I’m sorry.”

“I’ve earned most of those ugly names. It’s on me.” Her smile wobbled but she quickly righted it. “But I’m working on it. See ya Sunday!” She waved with exaggerated friendliness and quickly left, as if she couldn’t get away from her confession fast enough.

I stood at the end of our walkway and stared long after the dust of her departure settled, thinking about Walynn and her kindness and how I’d not extended none to her since she’d started attending church.

“Hey, Ox. Ain’t you gonna change?” Raleigh asked from behind me.