Page 87 of Lemon Pound Cake Club

"They were almost falling off the tree, so I thought I’d pick some and give a few to Camille since she likes my lemons so much."

She walked over, picked up the basket with ease, and smiled.

"That’s nice of you. I'll get these washed and dried."

"Thanks, Bernice."

She went to the sink. I wandered into the living room and finished my last sip of coffee.

A few minutes later, Bernice returned with the lemons, still wet from rinsing. She placed them in the basket and set it back on the island.

"All clean," she announced.

"Perfect."

"I've got laundry to finish before lunch."

"I appreciate it."

She smiled and walked down the hallway, leaving me alone in the kitchen.

I looked at the basket of bright yellow lemons, each one polished. I opened a kitchen drawer and picked up something small, just the right size to hide in my hand.

When I turned back to the island, I moved carefully and quickly. After working with each lemon, I paused for a moment taking it all in.

The basket looked untouched, just as Bernice had left it. I wrapped the object in a paper towel and tossed it in the trash can. Then I adjusted a lemon near the top until it looked right.

I smiled, satisfied.

I covered the basket with a white kitchen towel and slipped the handles onto my arm.

"I'm running over to Camille's for a few minutes," I called.

Zaire looked up from the sofa. "Tell her I said hey."

"I will."

I walked across the cul-de-sac. The basket bumped against my hip as I went. Some neighbors waved from their yards, and I waved back, noticing the charm of the neighborhood.

Camille's house looked the same as always. Every blade of grass was in place. Only Camille seemed different. I rang the doorbell and waited for footsteps.

The door opened just enough for Camille to peek through.

"Oh." She let out a small breath when she saw me. "Maci."

She smiled, but it seemed practiced, as if she had prepared it before opening the door.

"I hope I'm not interrupting anything."

"No." She opened the door wider. "Not at all. Come on in."

When I walked in, she glanced over my shoulder before shutting the door.

"I brought you something." I carried the basket into the kitchen and lifted the towel. "I figured I would bring you some this time. You still got to ask though."

Her face softened as soon as she saw the fruit.

"Oh, these are gorgeous."