Today is Thanksgiving. I am the most thankful woman on the face of the earth.

Dot is here, bless her heart. She’s had a bath and bought a new pair of blue jeans and boots for the occasion. I gave Dot a check for ten thousand dollars and told her to clean up her act. She did. She sold the store and bought a cabin with a washer and dryer in it. It sits in a meadow in the mountains where she can live how she wants, with nobody around to make fun of her. I never could figure out why she went to college. I drive up every now and then. The cabin is small, but it’s nicer and somewhat cleaner than the store.

I sent twenty thousand to Brother Jimmy after I cashed the check. I figured God deserved His tithe. He and Rosalyn have decided to build a church in Raleigh and start a home for wayward girls. They’re going to call it The Paskins House. Floyd would be so pleased.

I bequeathed all my handbags and sewing machine to Flossie. She’s taken over my tables at the flea market, started collecting boxes of old books, and has learned to speak a few words of Chinese. Now she thinks she’s an expert. We still have coffee and talk about Dot. I’m trying to quit my Camel habit, and Flossie gave up biscuits and gravy — at least for now.

I bought a house. First house I ever lived in. It’s small, but it’s new and it’s mine. There’s a park across the street, and I put some money into a college fund for Vivi. I bought a new swing set yesterday for the baby. She has her own room and I painted it blue, like her eyes. I bought some health insurance, life insurance, and a slightly used car. Now I didn’t want to blow the rest on trips to Wal-Mart or Food Lion. Knowing nothing about investing money, I called the smartest man to whom I’ve ever been introduced. At the advice of Professor Wendell, I invested in some stock called Microsoft or some silly name like that.

I saw Roger Moultrie in town yesterday. He’s moved back into his trailer in Needmore. Said he moved to Little Rock for a while to take care of his sick Momma. After her funeral, he decided to come back to North Carolina. I said, “Good, I missed you.” We’re going to dinner next week.

Vivi’s lounging on our new recliner, watching the new color TV. The baby’s asleep in her crib. I’m thinking I’ll turn in early. Dot’s already snoring on the couch.

The doorbell rings, the dog barks, and Vivi runs to answer it. We’ve already had our pumpkin pie, but there might be one piece left for a visitor, I suppose.

“Hey, Viv.” I hear her voice. My eyes pool with tears and I thank the good Lord, quietly. Vernise has come home. I don’t care how or why or for how long. She’s here now.

God has breathed life into my past and is blowing it into the present. It feels good for a change.

***