Shay started to say something but knew it would only be gas on a fire. As she started to her room, the doorbell rang. Who the hell would be stopping by this early in the morning. Good thing Marcus installed that one way see thru door. Shay used to complain that Anthony had so many friends who came by all hours of the day and Anthony was always outside at the park somewhere. Shay thought his real friends would already know this. Now she only had to peek down the hallway to see who it was sorta like caller id. Ninty nine percent of the time it was for Anthony so she didn't answer the door. Eventually all the kids got the message and started calling first before just stopping by.

Shay poked her head out the kitchen. It was Lester, what a relief. "Morning Les, what are you doing here so early?" as she reached up to give him a small peck on his cheek.

"I saw you leave early yesterday and was worried about you. I would have come over yesterday but I knew you wanted to be alone; well sorta alone. Is she still here?" Lester brought his voice down to a whisper.

"And where else would she be? There's no one else in Texas she can bother" Shay snapped. "Thanks for checking on me Les but I'm allright. I just needed extra sleep. I've been working long hours to stay busy. I figured if I stayed busy I wouldn't think of him so much."

Lester grabbed his sister in law and gave her a big bear hug. "Shay you really haven't dealt with his death at all have you? No wonder you broke down at the cemetery."

"Les I said I'm fine and I really don't want to talk about this right now. Get yourself some breakfast; it's plenty left. Mom cooked a banquet for God knows who else".

"Hey! What's up uncle Les? Why you here so early? My grandmother putting you to work too?" Anthony chuckled.

"And speaking of work, the bushes need trimming Anthony" Gertie interrupted, "especially the rose bush. Well good morning Lester. Since you are here, will you be joining us for breakfast? Can I get you something to drink? Perhaps some weak coffee?"

"Oh that's real funny mother" Shay spoke up. "Of course Les is having breakfast, he never turns down free food right Les? Go ahead and fix yourself a plate." Shay winked at Lester.

"Yeah right. I just love to eat. Good one Shay. See you haven't lost your sense of humor." Lester sat down at the table while Shay went to her room to take a shower.

"So Lester why are you here? Everyone is expected at noon."

"I came to check on Shay. I saw her leave the cemetery yesterday and was worried."

"You were worried. How sweet of you Lester." Gertie said as she tilted her head with sarcasim. "Shay is lucky to have someone here in Texas to look after her now that Marcus is gone. I know I definitely feel more comfortable knowing she won't be alone after Anthony goes back to school."

"Yes maam" Lester nodded in agreement. He knew better than to speak against Gertie and prolong any chance of a long drawn out argument.

"Hopefully I can convince her to move back to Georgia. You know... where all her family is located. Perhaps, well I don't think it's my place to ask you" Gertie paused.

"Ask me what Mrs. Williams?"

"Can you talk to Shay? I think she would listen to you Lester" Gertie said as she leaned towards Lester with a fake smile. "She was always such a stubborn child. Marcus was the only person she ever listened to. I really don't know HOW he got through that brick wall of hers but he did!"

Lester didn't like where this conversation was going and tried hard to control his anger. "What exactly am I supposed to talk to Shay about Mrs. Williams?" Lester snapped.

"I want you to tell Shay to move back home. Can you do that for me Lester?" Gertie pleaded.

"Mrs. Williams, Shay does not listen to me. And, even if she did listen to me, I would not ask her to move back home. Texas is her home. Shay loves it here and I'm sure YOU already know that." Lester pushed his chair back from the table.

"I am her mother and I know what's best for MY daughter. If I didn't know better Lester I think you're just a little too concerned with Shay's well being. Maybe you have other motives that you're not aware of."

"You know what Mrs. Williams, I'm really not that hungry any more. Tell Shay I will call her later. Better yet, don't tell her anything. You take care Mrs. Williams." Lester proceeded to the door to let himself out. As he stood outside in deep thought he did not notice Anthony staring at him from behind the bushes. Other motives, how could he possibly have other motives? Shay was like a sister to him and that's where it ended.

"What's wrong uncle Les?" Anthony stopped pruning and ran to his uncle's side. "Why you leaving now when you just got here?" Anthony whined.

"I just got some stuff I gotta take care of. I'll be back Ant."

"You promise Unc? I don't want to be here alone with grandma and mom. They argue all the time. They act like they hate each other."

"Don't worry Ant, your grandma will be gone tomorrow then your mom will be ok. Just hang in there for one more day allright? Help out around the house and look after your mom. Do the right thing Ant."

"Damn I mean darn Unc, you sound just like my dad. He used to say that all the time. Do the right thing Ant."

"Yeah I know, he told me that all my life. Used to make me sick every time he said it and I would stick my tongue out behind his back." Lester began to laugh to himself. "He was always trying to lecture everybody."

"Sure was" Anthony chimed in. Lester reached out his fist for Anthony to tap it back. Marcus had taught him that as a symbol of strength that everything would be ok. Anthony tapped his fist unto Lester's and said "Ok Uncle Les, see you later".

Anthony watched his uncle drive away and his eyes followed Lester until he couldn't see him any more. He had deliberately taken his time pruning the bushes so he could stay busy and out of his grandmother's path.