Free Someone to Watch Over Me by Michelle Stimpson Page A

called out of the blue, shortly after I finished college. They’d ask how I was, if I was still in school; Joenetta even asked once if I had gotten myself pregnant again. They’d eventually gotten around to a sob story ending in an urgent financial request.
    Back then, Aunt Dottie had told me that family and money don’t mix. “Tori, don’t play this game with them. Some folks don’t know how to handle money. Don’t matter what you give ’em Monday, they’ll be broke by Friday. Best thing you can do is pray for God to teach them how to steward what He’s already given ’em.”
    â€œBut Uncle Pete said his lights were going to get cut off tomorrow,” I pleaded on his behalf. This man was Aunt Dottie’s own brother, for goodness sake.
    â€œSo what?” she’d asked.
    â€œAnd then he won’t have lights,” I’d reasoned.
    She’d prompted, “Okay, and then what?”
    â€œAnd then he’ll be . . . inconvenienced.”
    She finished the scenario. “And then he’ll go stay with his girlfriend until he gets his next check, and then he’ll pay to get his lights turned back on, and then he’ll think twice about buying all those Lotto tickets next time, or maybe not. Either way, he’ll be all right.”
    Against my sense of compassion, I refused Uncle Pete’s request. He had a few choice words for me and hung up in my face.
    Aunt Dottie knew her family well. She must have known none of them would step up to the plate to help with her recovery, yet she probably wouldn’t say anything to them about their lack of assistance. Somebody had to speak up.
    â€œI think it’s a shame that so few people in this room have agreed to help. I remember when she was the only store on our side of the tracks. Aunt Dottie wouldn’t let any family in Bayford starve, least of all her own. She’s always been there for us.”
    â€œShe’s always been there for you ,” Joenetta piped up. “She took you in when you got pregnant and she put you through college. She even sent you money to get you started after you finished college. All that for you, but she wouldn’t even bail her blood nephew out of jail!”
    Cassandra tagged into the rink. “So why are you here now, Miss Joenetta?”
    â€œâ€™Cause she’s my sister.”
    I laughed. “Yeah, right. The sister you won’t take care of for free.”
    â€œDon’t talk to my sister that way.” Uncle Billy’s body struggled to a standing position. “All she sayin’ is, if you want to throw some money at the problem, might as well let it land on us.”
    â€œAunt Dottie is not a problem. She’s . . . she’s Aunt Dottie,” I clarified. “Don’t y’all care about her? She’s raising your grandson anyway, Joenetta.”
    Joenetta came toward me with her index finger swaying side to side. “Now ain’t that the pot calling the kettle black?”
    â€œShhhh!” Sister Meecham caught our attention, signaling Aunt Dottie’s return to the room.
    Aunt Dottie must have been fully aware of the tension because she maneuvered her bed to an upright position when the nurse left. She blinked a few times, looking everyone in the eyes as though trying to read the jury before a verdict. She signaled with her left hand that she’d heard us yapping.
    My heart sank for her. Again, I stood by her side and grabbed her left hand. “Aunt Dottie, we’re just trying to work out the details, that’s all. Don’t worry. Everything will be all right.”
    She nodded and sweetly kissed my hand, then drifted off to sleep.
    Slowly, the room cleared of visitors. Cassandra was the first to go. She said she had to get back home before her sister dropped off the nephews. Joenetta and Uncle Billy followed. Sister Meecham lagged behind to comfort me. “What you told Aunt Dottie was