Page 58 of Worth the Trip

“We know!” Nana called back.

My phone rested face-down on the dresser. I’d checked it once after breakfast, answered Nyla, and resisted the urge to open Crème & Chill’s schedule, sales report, or inventory notes. The shop had opened without me. Scoops & Stories had survived another morning without my supervision.

Apparently, civilization remained intact.

I fastened the silver pendant at my throat just as Nana appeared in the doorway wearing a sunflower-yellow housedress and an expression already carrying judgment.

“That the one?”

“I think so.”

“You thought so about the last two.”

“The first one was too plain.”

“It was pink.”

“Pink can still be plain.”

“And the pants?”

“Too structured.”

“They were pants, Nolani.”

“That’s not what structured means.”

Nana came farther into the room and stopped behind me. Her eyes traveled over our reflections before she reached around and straightened the pendant where it rested against my chest.

“You look pretty.”

“Thank you.”

“I ain’t talking about the dress.” I glanced at her through the mirror. “You look lighter than you did Thursday.”

“I’ve been sleeping.”

“That helped.”

Her hands settled briefly on my shoulders before she gave them a small squeeze. Nana had already said enough about rest to last me through several therapy sessions and one church revival, so I braced myself for another lesson.

She surprised me.

“Go have fun.”

I blinked. “That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

“No wisdom?”

“I done gave you enough wisdom. You keep collecting it like coupons and forgetting to redeem any.” I laughed. Nana smiled. “Let that man show you his city. Eat something good. Laugh too loud. And stop touching that necklace every time somebody tells you the truth.” My fingers were already halfway toward the pendant. I dropped my hand. “There you go.”

“You did that on purpose.”

“Absolutely.”

She kissed my temple and headed for the door.