think twice about it. But now . . .”
Stephanie sighed again. “You know Libby’s falling for him again, much as she refuses to admit it.”
“I know.” Janelle turned to Stephanie. “But remember that talk we had with Libby in the spring? She knows she and Travis can never be together while she’s running from God. He’s a pastor. And he wants to be married. His wife will be someone who loves the Lord. Libby knows that.”
“In her head,” Stephanie said. “Doesn’t stop her heart. She and Travis were right there with the rest of us, up half the night.”
“This thing with Trina is probably nothing,” Janelle said. “They’re just friends.”
Stephanie glanced at them again, now helping with setup. “You just had to invite her to come tonight, didn’t you?”
“I felt bad,” Janelle said. “I knew we couldn’t invite all of the Soul Sisters, but once she saw that Charley had come, my mouth just started moving.” She added, “But that was before we knew about her and Travis . . . or . . . whatever we want to call it.” She sighed. “If Trina comes, this could be a mess.”
“I don’t think it’s an if.” Stephanie glimpsed them laughing. “She’s coming.”
CHAPTER NINE
In the ballroom of the Rocky Mount Hilton Saturday night, Libby waited anxiously. She’d surprised the family by showing a video produced for the occasion, compiled of reunion photos and footage taken over decades of time. Priceless memories from the earliest years got them laughing and talking as hairstyles and clothing on the screen revealed changing times. Babies now grown and relatives now deceased drew comments of wonder and reflection. The latter were especially poignant, as the music changed and they remembered those who had passed, including Janelle’s husband, David. There was a photo of him at a reunion only four years ago, smiling big as he held baby Tiffany in his arms, little Daniel at his feet.
But none of this would compare to what was coming. The video appeared to be ending now, the music fading, and then—
“How’s everybody doing?”
Gasps sounded around the room and everyone leaned forward as Grandma Geri stared straight at them. She was sitting up in her bed, pillows propped behind, wearing the frailness of her last weeks.
“I bet y’all are in Rocky Mount, eating hotel chicken that don’t taste near good as mine.” A raspy laugh made Grandma Geri cough a little. “Y’all thought I wouldn’t be there to complain about it this year, didn’t you?”
Laughter broke out around the ballroom. Grandma Geri was known for saying what she felt, though her delivery was a little labored now.
“Well, I don’t have long. And I know you know that ‘cause I’m dead if you’re watching. But I asked Libby to tape this message for me and not to tell anybody till she showed it.” She leaned forward a little. “Wood, you spank her for me if she told.”
Libby’s dad looked at her from the other side of the table. He had tears in his eyes, as did Libby.
Grandma Geri continued, “In this family, we’ve had good times and sad times. We’ve done right, and we’ve done wrong. Amen?”
Heads nodded. “Amens” sounded.
“But one thing we always done—hold to His unchanging hand. It ain’t just a song. It’s what we do. I don’t want none of y’all to forget that. We ain’t nothing without the good Lord.”
She paused, and more “Amens” filled the space.
“I got to go. I’m tired.” Grandma Geri coughed. “I love you. But I’d be lying if I said I miss you. I told y’all I wanted to be with my Jesus and my Elwood, and that’s just where I am.” She held up her hand in a wave. “I’ll see you when you get here. All right, Libby, turn that thing off.”
The screen went black, and no one moved. Libby wouldn’t have known if they did anyway, because her head was lowered, tears streaming down her face. She’d seen the video a handful of times, but it had never hit her like this.
Travis leaned over and put an arm around her. “I miss her too.”
Libby missed her, and that was surely part of it, but there was more . . . even if she couldn’t put her finger on it.
At the table next to them, a voice started, “Hold to His hand, God’s unchanging hand . . .”
Travis immediately stood, adding his voice. “Hold to His hand, God’s unchanging hand . . .”
Seconds later the whole room was on its feet,