Free Oven Baked Secrets (Eugeena Patterson Mysteries Book 2) by Tyora Moody Page B

“Hello.”
    “Eugeena, oh, did I wake you?”
    I shook my head and then remembered Cora couldn’t see me. “I’m not quite awake yet, but what’s going on. Is everything okay?”
    “Yes and no.  I was talking to Esther last night about your friend. She got really animated when I mentioned the name August. You should come today. She wouldn’t tell me anything else. She just said, ‘Eugeena needs to know the whole story.’”
    What story?
That changed my plans for the day. It was Wednesday. I felt like I should try to see how Louise was doing. I didn’t want her to feel abandoned and I was really concerned about her mental state. When Cora said Esther wanted me to come, like a child I dropped everything to see what my auntie and godmother wanted. I hastily got up and dressed.
    Poor Porgy was running around until I finally stopped and let him do his thing out in the backyard. Once Porgy was settled, I grabbed some oatmeal because I didn’t dare leave the house without some food in me. I would need the energy.  It sounded like it was a good day for Aunt Esther’s mind. She would be sharp and focused.  We had quite a few school teachers in the family.  Esther was the first person in our family to become a teacher. She instilled in me the desire and love for education and history.
    It was still pretty early and the wind was up today. The fall weather was trying to settle in the South. As I inched my way down the steps, I looked next door. I had a distant memory of Louise bundled up in her down coat feeding a stray cat. She was a gentle soul, though quite the nosy neighbor, she meant well. I felt helpless being so close to a crime with no clues.
    I climbed in my car and glanced over at Amos’ house. I wondered if he was up yet.  It was well past eight o’clock. His house was quiet, but I’m sure he was bustling around in there. So many people had left the neighborhood and others may continue to go. I certainly didn’t want to leave my home. When the murder happened a few months ago, my oldest boy wanted to move me out of the home where I raised all three of my children. I just couldn’t do that.
    Plus, I was nowhere near helpless. I turned on my car ignition and headed towards my aunt’s house, which was only twenty minutes away.  As I drove, my thoughts wandered to what Esther would share with me. It was quite strange that this August person had been on Louise’s mind. My friend must have been thinking quite a bit about the past after Jocelyn’s visit on Sunday.
    Then it occurred to me. Suppose this August person was still alive? Had Jocelyn tried to reach or find any information about who could be her maternal grandfather too?
    As I drew closer to my aunt’s house, my own past memories were stirred.  When most of the family was still living, my aunt’s house was where we gathered for the holidays and family reunions. I parked my car in front of the Gibson family house that was painted in of all colors, Pepto-Bismol® pink. Growing up, the house was a pale yellow. I don’t remember whose idea it was to paint the house pink.
    I knocked on the door and waited. Cora opened it. “Girl, it’s good to see you.” She stepped back and looked at me. “You look like you haven’t been sleeping.”
    I waved her off and stepped inside. “I’m fine. Is Aunt Esther up?”
    A strong, melodic voice floated from the living room. “Is that you, Eugeena?”
    “Yes, ma’am.” I went into the living room to where Esther sat in a chair. Most of the people in my family were pretty tall. My sons received their height from their dad and my side of the family. Most of the women were more average in height like me. Esther was the tallest of all the women. Never married, she was a regal woman who carried herself with pride. She reminded me a lot of Maya Angelou.
    Esther’s silver hair was cropped short and reminded me of a halo. She had a blanket wrapped around her. I noticed Esther was holding her worn bible. I