Free Waiting For Lily Bloom by Jericha Kingston Page A

jar from a sack.
    A mere glance at the syrupy preserves made Lily salivate.
    “Happy Easter, girls.” Uncle Ned patted the girls on the head and gave them each a stick of chewing gum.
    “A whole piece?” Elsa whispered.
    “We don’t have to sh-share?” Ava wondered.
    “Of course you do.” Uncle Ned hitched his thumbs on his suspenders. “At all times. Except when it comes to combs. And this here gum. But if you shared a piece today, you’d have the other piece for tomorrow.”
    The girls looked at their gum, and then at each other. What would they choose?
    “Mind you don’t open that until after dinner.” Aunt Charity stirred the beans on the stove, mumbling something about men’s poor timing.
    The house was now a hive of activity, swarming with words that gladdened Lily’s heart.
    The girls giggled, placing their sticks of gum on the table beside their plates.
    Aunt Charity filled cups with water and shared how one of her chickens was found alive.
    Ned and James discussed the sermon and how blessed the town was to call Reverend Cox their pastor.
    Sunlight shone through the windows. Lily glanced outside, where dust blew across the field. Desolate as it was beyond the front door, peace ruled within their home. At various times throughout the week, it had become clear that James was proving a true friend, and the girls were a delight. Her home was an oasis, and like a seed sprouting after the deluge, her heart was taking root in Paul’s Valley.
    “Glory be, did you hear me?” Aunt Charity placed her hand on Lily’s sleeve.
    Lily’s face warmed as she shook her head.
    “Let’s eat!”
    Ned smacked his hands together. “Hot diggity.”
    James’s dimples surfaced.
    Everyone sat at the table and joined hands.
    “Let’s pray.” James held her hand, brushing his fingers over her knuckles.
    Her breath hitched. She coughed to disguise it.
    “Father, thank You for Jesus and His resurrection. For this fine meal, we give thanks. Bless our family, Lord. Be with us in the days ahead. Thank You for guidance, and for bein’ so faithful to us. I thank You for my wife, and the children You’ve blessed us with.”
    Stars above!
    “Watch over Henry and lead him to work. We humbly ask for rain.” He squeezed Lily’s hand. “In Jesus’s Name, amen.”
    “Amen.” Even Elsa chimed in.
    Everyone flipped their plates over. Lily passed the biscuits and figs, and Aunt Charity served the beans.
    “Got any salt?” Uncle Ned held a fork in one hand and a spoon in the other.
    Lily jumped up and retrieved the bowl of salt before Aunt Charity could.
    “Thank you.” He smiled at her and sprinkled the salt over his food.
    Lily sat and sipped her water.
    “How’s married life?” Uncle Ned asked.
    She choked, truly coughing now.
    James patted her on the back, eyebrows raised and eyes twinkling. “You all right?”
    She wiped her mouth and nodded.
    “Goin’ fine.” James answered. “We’ve had a few surprises, but we’re learnin’ to roll with the punches.”
    Ava giggled.
    Lily smiled at Uncle Ned and kicked James under the table.
    James cleared his throat and shifted. “As long as you give selfishness the boot, you’ll have a happy marriage.”
    She couldn’t reach him this time.
    Aunt Charity squeezed Lily’s hand. “I told you he was a good man.”
    Yes, her very own Saint James.
    A knock sounded at the door.
    James’s fork was halfway to his mouth. He placed it on his plate and stood. “Who could that be?”
    He walked to the door and opened it.
    “I’m looking for Ned Driggers. Would you—”
    Papa?
    “ Will? ” Uncle Ned stood, blinking. “How on earth—?”
    Papa! Lily jumped up and ran to the door. She passed James and rushed into Papa’s arms.
    He clung to her. “Lily…oh, my Lily. I’m sorry I couldn’t get here any sooner, child.”
    “Mr. Driggers, please come in.” James closed the door behind him. “I’m James Bloom. Pleased to meet you.” James extended his hand.
    Papa