that.”
Magnolia looked down, rubbed her feet, and was expressionless. “No ma’am. I didn’t mean me in particular.”
“Baby girl, I’ve always known how you’ve felt about your mom. She’s had some serious problems, and yes, she still does. But
that’s why we took you in. Whatever it is she didn’t get, you did. Whatever it was you needed, we got for you. She may have
never known how it was supposed to be, but you do, and that’s what matters.”
Magnolia looked over at her grandmother. Her face agreed with what she heard. “You’re right.”
Gigi lowered the footrest of her recliner and came to a slow stance, wearing a light blue housedress with deep pockets. “That’s
what I like to hear. Come on, baby girl, let’s eat this birthday dinner I made for you. Your favorite fried turkey wings with
cabbage with brown sugar yams. And cheese biscuits, of course.”
Magnolia rubbed her hands together. “That’s what I’m talking about.” She stood and walked barefoot over to her grandmother,
and they walked slowly toward the long, narrow kitchen, holding hands.
Gigi told Magnolia, “Just because we didn’t have enough precious times with your mother, doesn’t mean we can’t cherish the
times we have with each other.”
“Times with you are enough,” Magnolia said, while Gigi stood at the stove, removing the lid from a large cast-iron pot, grabbing
a large spoon. A cell phone sounded near the sofa. Magnolia stepped to it. “I’m sorry, just one second, ma’am.”
“No, it’s okay. You go ahead and get your phone. You never know who’s trying to reach you.”
Gigi kept mumbling and Magnolia quickly reached inside her bag, checking the caller ID with a puzzled look and connecting
the call. “Hello.”
“Hey, Mag.”
She sighed a large sigh. “Hey.”
“How are you?” Neal asked with energy, as though extra glad to get Magnolia live for once.
“I’m good.” Magnolia was bland.
“You busy?”
“I’m at Gigi’s house.”
“Oh? How is she?”
Magnolia watched her grandmother add her magic spices to the pot. She skipped right over his question. “Why’d you block your
number?” she asked, trying to contain her voice.
“Honestly, I knew you wouldn’t answer unless I did.”
She gave a sarcastic nod. “You were right about that. We’re about to eat.”
“Okay. I understand. Real quick. I just wanna know if you got my Happy New Year text at midnight, and the one this morning
wishing you a Happy Birthday.”
“Uh-huh.” She rubbed her forehead.
“But you didn’t call back. Why?”
Magnolia turned her back from the kitchen. “Because. It’s my birthday. And even if it wasn’t, I still wouldn’t.” She walked
out of the family room and down the long hall leading to the bedrooms. The volume of her voice then kicked up a notch. “Why
are you still calling me anyway? Besides, isn’t your girl gonna see this call on your bill?”
He sounded puzzled. “Why would she see my phone bill? It’s not like that.”
“Whatever.” Magnolia stood with her back against the hallway wall.
“Mag, I don’t live with her.”
“Live with her or not, what you need to do is stop contacting me. Try being faithful to someone for once in your life. And
next time you call, I promise you, I won’t answer.”
“Mag, why are you still mad after all this time?”
She stepped toward the back bedroom. “Do not call me that. Stop acting like it means something just because you think I’m
still mad. What happened between us wasn’t that long ago. You just need to stop doing this.” She paced back in the other direction.
“It’s bad enough I have to see you during the week. Now please. Leave me alone. You need to live with the choice you made.”
“Have you ever thought that maybe seeing you at work is making it harder for me? Maybe just a little bit harder for me to
move on? I do care about you, Mag.”
Magnolia shook off his words.