“Ma, Daddy is always putting something on the grill. Any reason you’re asking me to come tonight?” I asked.

“Are you trying to be me?” she said.

“What does that mean?” I asked.

“You know I’m up to something, so stop trying to fake it, Kayla,” she said, laughing.

“Well then go ahead and tell me,” I said.

“Well, Todd’s been asking after you, and he maybe suggested that he could come to dinner one night when you were here,” she said.

“Todd has got you doing his bidding. That’s not very brave,” I said.

She chuckled. “No, but it’s smart. Although, he must not know you as well as I thought,” she said.

“What do you mean?” I asked, feeling something like happy.

“Well, he probably thought I could twist your arm, but I know that nobody twists your arm,” she said.

“What do you mean? I do things for people all the time,” I said.

“You do. But only things you want to. And you will tell me and anybody else exactly where to put it if you’re in the right mood,” she said.

I scoffed. “Would not,” I said.

“So, I’ll see you at dinner tonight?” she said, pointedly ignoring my statement.

“No,” I responded.

“My point exactly,” she said with a laugh.

I laughed in return. ”I’m not that bad,” I said.

“I didn’t say you were bad. You’re just stubborn. But you came by it honest, so I don’t hold it against you. Anyway, I told Todd I would ask. I asked. So tell me something good, Kayla,” she said.

I laughed. “You’re so ridiculous, Mama,” I said.

“Takes one,” she responded.

I laughed again and chatted with my mother, hearing about all the drama at the hospital where she volunteered.

“I’m just saying, it seems like a lot going on for a volunteer thing,” I said.

“That’s what I say. People don’t come and do the work and then get on with things,” she said.

“You’re trying to act innocent, but you just told me everything that’s happening,” I pointed out.

“Well, just because as I don’t start the drama doesn’t mean that I keep my nose out of it. I don’t say anything, but knowledge is power,” she said.

I shook my head. “I can see you up there stirring the pot,” I said.

“Me? Never,” she said.

I could practically see her eyelashes fluttering, could imagine the innocent, kind smile that took people in.

My mother had the kind of face that made people want to ask for directions or have her watch their stuff at a coffee shop while they went to the bathroom.

But I knew better.

“Uh-huh, so tell me about Dr.—”

I cut off when the door opened and wasn’t even surprised that my visitor hadn’t bothered to knock.