Wake her up. I ain’t going to do nothing. I got kicked out. I have to find a place to stay for the night.
I guess you can come in.
He stood back and allowed her to pass and the tall blonde girl stepped into the front room and peered about. Luther went back to the bedroom and woke Betty.
What is it? she said.
You better get up and come look.
What for?
Come out here and see.
Betty rose from bed and put on her robe and walked out sleepily to the front room. Don’t tell me, she said, looking at the girl. Is that you?
It’s me, the girl said.
Oh Lord. Oh my little girl. Betty rushed across the room and threw her arms around her and hugged her neck. The girl stood stiffly in her arms. Betty began to sob, patting her head. Oh my God. Oh my God. She leaned back to look at her. I ain’t seen you in so long. And look at you. So growed up. I just been hoping. Praying every day. Ain’t I, Luther.
Yes, ma’am, he said. Sometimes more than once.
What happened? Betty said. I tried calling you but that last woman you was with, she wouldn’t even let me talk to you.
I got kicked out, the girl said. She stepped back away from Betty’s arms.
She got kicked out, Luther said. That’s how come she showed up here. Looking for her mama.
I need a place to stay, the girl said. That’s why I come here.
You still ain’t said what happened, honey.
It’s that woman, the girl said. She’s just a total bitch. It’s all she is. She wouldn’t let me do nothing. I had to go to church with them all the time and then she tried to stop me from seeing Raydell.
Who’s he?
This boy I know.
What’s wrong with him?
There ain’t nothing wrong with him. She’s just prejudiced. He’s half black and half white. She didn’t appreciate his black half.
Where’s he at now? Is he here?
Here? What would he be doing here? He’s back in Phillips. He lives there.
Then how’d you get over here, honey?
I got a ride from this man in a truck. I was out there on the highway waiting for a ride, freezing my ass off.
I don’t think you should be out this time of night. Something could happen to you.
What’s going to happen?
Something.
Oh, he never tried nothing. I wouldn’t even let him get started.
It’s still dangerous like that to be out in the cold this time of night.
What else was I going to do? I thought you’d let me stay for a while.
Oh honey, course you can stay. It’s just so good to see you. Are you hungry? You want me to make you a bite to eat?
I want to smoke one of my cigarettes.
You smoke?
Sure.
Betty looked around. But we don’t usually let nobody smoke in here, she said. On account of Joy Rae and Richie.
Who’re they?
You don’t even know, do you. Your own half sister and half brother.
I never even heard their names before.
Well, that’s who they are. You got family you didn’t even know about.
That’s right, Luther said. You got all kinds of family here. He grinned. But you two going to want to stay up and talk. Me, I’m going back to bed.
When he left the room Betty took the girl’s hand and led her to the kitchen table. Why don’t you sit down here a minute. At least let me make you something hot to drink. I know you got to be thirsty.
The girl looked around the kitchen. This is a mess, she said.
I know that, honey. But you’ll hurt my feelings if you talk like that. I been sick.
Well, it is.
I’m going to clean it up. Betty removed a few dirty dishes to the counter and stacked some in the sink, then she set a jar lid in front of the girl.
What’s that for?
You go ahead and smoke if you only going to smoke a little. It’s your first night, honey. I’m just so glad you come home.