Deep Fried Trouble (Eugeena Patterson Mysteries) by Tyora Moody Read Free Book Online

would’ve seen the same self-righteous smirk on those two women I had seen so many times before. Plus, I was holding my new grandbaby. No time for foolishness. I had enough of that to deal with when I returned home.
    Besides I had nothing to hide from the police. So I got angry with an old friend, fussed her out in the church parking lot and then ignored her existence for months. Months turned to years of indifference. I had plenty of opportunities to reconcile our friendship. It became easier to leave the past alone as time went by.
    Finally, I reached the pastor. Pastor George Jones was probably my favorite pastor ever. His father, Rev. Tennessee Jones, the one who co-founded this church and who remained the pastor most of the thirty-some years I attended had gone on to glory late last year. His son was about the age of my oldest son and appeared to be holding his own. This couldn’t be an easy assignment for a man in his late-thirties. Most of the congregation knew him when he’d sported nothing but a diaper.
    “Sister Patterson, how are you and who’s this cute little fellow?” Pastor Jones touched Tyric’s little hand. Now awake, Tyric peered up at the preacher, looking puzzled by the new face.
    “My… my grandchild.”  I croaked. I wanted to tell the pastor I could give ole’ Job some competition about having the worst day of your life, but that wasn’t entirely true. Just felt that way. My soul was troubled and even now more so thanks to Willie Mae and Annie Mae. Instead I said, “Pastor Jones, your sermon this morning was something else.”
    “I’m glad you liked it, Sister. I am terribly sorry to hear about Sister Fleming’s passing. That’s an awful way to leave this world. I know God has her in his arms.”
    “Oh, I don’t doubt that. Mary was a dear soul.”
    “Well, I spoke to Mary’s eldest sister this morning before service. It looks like the funeral will be on Thursday. She did have a request. Sister Patterson, would you be willing to say a few words on behalf of the church?”
    Me?
    I remembered Mary’s sister, Natalie. Hadn’t seen her in years. From what I remember, both sisters weren’t that close. Surely, she would know I was not the person who needed to be speaking at her sister’s funeral.
    I stared at Pastor Jones. He was pastoring at another church during the time Mary and I had our falling out. Maybe he doesn’t know about the blow up between us. There were few members who didn’t know.  I could imagine the smirks on the twins’ faces from the front row on Thursday. Could I even stand beside Mary’s casket and call myself having words to say? The entire scenario seemed a tiny bit awkward.
    “Pastor, I don’t know if I’m the right person to speak at her funeral.” 
    “I know it will be a hard time for you. But please consider. I think you would be the perfect person.”
    “Thank you, Pastor. I appreciate you asking me.”
    After I stepped outside, it took me a few moments to get adjusted to the early afternoon sun.  I used my free hand to wipe some moisture from my eyes. I couldn’t blame it on my bifocals. Through my rapid blinking, I saw the parking lot was pretty empty except for a few cars. I appreciated not having anyone see how torn up I really felt.
    Amos smiled when he saw me, but his face changed to concern. “Everything alright?”
    “I’m fine. Thanks for looking out for Kisha.”
    “My pleasure.”
    I buckled Tyric in the car seat and then made sure little Kisha was fastened into her booster seat. I’m happy they have all these safety measures these days. I shudder to think of all the ways my own children traveled in the car.
    I still couldn’t believe the audacity of my daughter. Couldn’t she have asked me instead of assuming I would keep her kids while she was Lord knows where?
    Amos drove up beside me in his truck. We came in separate vehicles, but he’d followed me over to the church. “You sure you are doing okay, Eugeena?”
    He