stayed close to her mother most of the evening. Even though there was a mountain of food in the kitchen, I never saw Rhoda with a plate.
Several people stood around in the living room making glowing remarks about Mr. Boatwright like they did for everybody, even deceased pimps and dope dealers.
“I’ll never forget the times me and him shared a cab or he drove me to Judge Lawson’s poker parties,” Uncle Johnny managed. This was one of the few times I’d seen him sober.
“I used to like to go to church just to hear him sing,” Pee Wee muttered, smiling sadly, toying with a chicken wing on his plate.
“I’m sure enough goin’ to miss settin’ with him on the front porch shootin’ the breeze,” Caleb wailed, rubbing the bullet spot on his head.
“We done lost us a good man,” Scary Mary whined plaintively. She had had a few drinks before coming over, accompanied by several of her current and former whores. The women with Scary Mary were all dressed like they were going to a nightclub. I had never seen so many tight, short dresses and spiked high heels in my life.
“I was supposed to cut and shape his hair yestiddy,” Caleb said. “What little bit he had left.”
“I never understood Mr. Boatwright. He was a complicated man,” Florence said thoughtfully.
“The next poker party will be in his honor,” Judge Lawson announced, forcing himself to laugh, “He would have wanted it that way.” Almost everybody in the room agreed with him.
“Rhoda’s goin’ to help Annette pack up Brother Boatwright’s stuff for Johnny to take to the Salvation Army.” Rhoda’s mother coughed. Rhoda glanced at me, and our eyes locked. People kept saying good things about Mr. Boatwright, but Rhoda kept her eyes on me. After a few moments more, I went to the kitchen. I wasn’t there a minute before Lola entered.
“Imagine Scary Mary lettin’ all them strumpets come over here advertisin’ at a time like this,” Lola complained, sitting down hard at the table. I was in front of the kitchen window with my back to her. I turned just enough to see her with a huge plate in front of her on the table. “When I was in the business I didn’t even dress that slutty when I was workin’.” Lola sucked on a piece of meat, her eyes on me.
I just smiled and shrugged.
“When I was a workin’ girl, things were different. Of course bein’ down South, things were different anyway.” Lola gave me a thoughful look. “Look at me now,” she said sadly.
“You look fine, Miss Lola. I heard you got a job working at Antonosanti’s.” I sniffed. I was glad it was she who had come into the kitchen and not Uncle Johnny or Pee Wee.
“I’d rather still be in the sportin’ business,” Lola admitted with a wink. It had been a while since I’d seen somebody eat as fast as she was. She was getting as much food on her as in her.
“Ma’am? You mean you’d rather be a prostitute instead of a waitress?” I asked.
“Annette, I’m a lot older than you, so I know a lot more. Take it from me, when it comes to us women, pussy is the best card we got left to play. Ask any successful woman.” Lola let out a short chuckle and got up to leave with her plate in her hand. As soon as she was out of the kitchen I turned back around and started staring out the window again. I remained in that position for ten more minutes. When I finally turned around, Rhoda was standing in the doorway with a look on her face I will never forget. Her eyes were fixed on me, and her lips were quivering like she was in a trance.
“How long have you been standing there?” I gasped. I was so startled I stumbled and fell against the wall.
“Since Aunt Lola left,” she said evenly.
“Do you want to go upstairs so we can talk or something? I don’t think I could stand that crowd anymore,” I said, still standing in my spot.
“I really came to say good night,” Rhoda told me.
“Good night, Rhoda,” I responded. Then she left.
Mr. Boatwright had left his life insurance policy made out to Muh’Dear. She never told me how much it was for, but she used some of it to cover his funeral expenses.
I didn’t go to the calling hours the next day. After the gathering at our house, I didn’t think I