Chapter 45
“Then there’s no need to worry.”
Lucas smelled the bacon and eggs all the way upstairs, and hoped the food tasted as good as its delicious aroma. He came downstairs and walked into the kitchen wearing the same clothes he’d worn the day before. Sweat stains were under the armpits of his shirt. Lucas showered and sprayed on some of Johnnie’s perfume to camouflage the musty smell. Johnnie smelled the stench of his sweat but pretended not to notice. He tried to conceal the odor, and that was enough for her. She would feed him then take Lucas home so he could change his clothes.
“Have a seat,” Johnnie said. “The grits are almost ready.”
Lucas slid a chair across the linoleum floor, sat down and waited for her to sit with him. Johnnie came over to the table with the pot of grits and poured some into their bowls. She put the pot back on top of the stove and came back to the table. Lucas started filling his plate with bacon and eggs.
Johnnie cleared her throat. “Let’s say our grace before we eat, okay?”
“I’m sorry, Johnnie. My mother taught me better table manners than that.”
“Will you say it, Lucas?”
“Huh? Uh, I’m not into church and stuff.”
“Don’t you believe in God, Lucas?”
“I guess so.”
“Okay.”
Then she closed her eyes and bowed her head. Lucas did the same. Listening to her give thanks, he admired her belief in God despite everything that happened to her. When she finished, they said, “Amen.”
“I been meanin’ to ask you about them angels you got carved into your headboard,” Lucas said.
“What about them?”
“What made you pick that headboard?”
“Lucas, you know my life. I gotta believe that God is watchin’ me and balancin’ out my own sins against the sins committed against me. Otherwise, I would feel like a little girl lost in a world that doesn’t obey its own rules. You know what I mean?”
Lucas’ mouth was full of food, so he nodded his head a couple of times. Johnnie watched him devour her food like he hadn’t eaten in a week. She was going to ask him when he had last eaten, but she didn’t want to put him on the spot.
“It’s going to be strange when we go to the funeral.”
“Why is that?” Lucas asked then took several gulps of his orange juice.
“It’s been a year or so since I went to church. I’m wondering how I’ll be received. I used to sing in the choir and play the piano there. I led worship service and things like that. When I go to the funeral Friday, I’m wondering how it’s going to go.”
“I won’t let ’em bother you, Johnnie.”
“I’m not worried about them bothering me, Lucas. I’m concerned about what Reverend Staples is going to say.”
“Why you worried about him?”
“Because he’s the reverend.”
“Is he a good reverend?”
“Yes, I think so.”
“Then there’s no need to worry, is there?”