“Expecting someone?” Evangeline asked.
“No,” Hannah said, hurrying to the front door. After peeking through the peephole, she turned back to Evangeline. “Charlene and Joey.”
“Here comes the shit storm.” Evangeline braced herself as Hannah opened the door and the two sailed in.
She and Charlene locked eyes and Charlene’s lip curled. “You little whore, you.”
“Save it, Charlene.”
Hannah stood beside Evangeline. “No name calling. Evangeline didn’t do it.”
Again, Hannah’s actions surprised Evangeline. She had never pushed back with Charlene.
Charlene crossed her arms and glared at both women. “I understand that you put Evangeline on a pedestal, but—”
“If you can’t be civil, please leave,” Hannah said.
Staring at Evangeline, Charlene narrowed her eyes. “You will pay for ruining my marriage.” Then, she addressed Hannah. “Joey and I brought dinner. We thought we’d keep you company, but I’m not sticking around unless you askherto leave.”
“Forgiveness is a powerful tool,” Joey said.
“I’ll never forgive her,” Charlene said. On a huff, she strutted out and slammed the door.
“I’m sorry about that,” Joey said as he set the large bag of food on the coffee table. “She’s upset, but I’m sure she’ll forgive you once the good Lord enters her heart.”
“I didn’t know she had one,” Evangeline murmured.
Hannah cleared her throat. “This is a nice surprise.”
Joey had been staring at Evangeline. “Could I give you a hug?”
She held up her hands. “I’m okay, thanks.”
“Would you like me to pray over you?”
Hannah smiled sweetly. “That’s so nice.”
“I should go,” Evangeline answered.
“We brought food for three, plus desserts. Please stay.”
“I insist,” Hannah said as she picked up the bag and headed toward the kitchen. “Smells yummy.”
“Come on.” Joey extended his hand.
Evangeline didn’t want to stay, but she didn’t want to leave Hannah alone with him, either. She didn’t like how he had inserted himself into her sister’s life. “I’ll stay,” she said, crossing her arms as they walked into the kitchen.
As soon as plates had been filled, Joey dug in.
“Shouldn’t we say grace?” Hannah asked.
Joey stilled, his mouth full of chicken. He chewed, swallowed, and blurted out, “Thank you, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph for our meal. Amen.”
The two women exchanged glances.
What the hell was that?
One of Evangeline’s strongest childhood memories was of her mom saying a prayer of thanks before dinner. Even after her mom married Birdie, the tradition continued. When Hannah was little, she wanted to say it, so their mom passed the torch to her. In all the years they’d said grace, she’d never heard a mealtime prayer that included Mary and Joseph.
