Page 63 of Cursed By Fate

“Try to behave.”

“Not a chance.”

“I want Penny to establish her own network.”

“Since when do you care about relationship building?”

“She needs it more than I do.”

“Well, if she comes, I’ll be able to keep an eye on her.”

“I don’t think she’s someone to worry about.”

“She’s a fury. How can I not worry about her?”

“She seems…normal.”

Meemaw pushed back my hair to feel my forehead. “No fever.”

I swatted her hand away. “There’s nothing wrong with me.”

“I wouldn’t have pegged you as someone with a maternal side.”

“Not maternal. Mentor and mentee.”

“Big sister and little sister.” She chuckled to herself.

“What’s so funny?”

“I’m just remembering my own big sister. She was so bad at it. One mischievous smile and I had her twisted around my pinky finger. She would’ve let me get away with murder.”

Her revelation surprised me. I would’ve guessed Meemaw was the oldest sibling in her family. “I didn’t know you had a sister. What was her name?”

“Genevieve. Margie’s middle name.”

“I take it she’s no longer with us.”

“She died a long time ago, when I was eleven.”

A very long time ago then. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize.”

Meemaw reached into her mouth, removed her teeth, and placed them in a black case on the bedside table.

“I’m sorry. I fully recognize that we’re in the middle of a heartfelt conversation, but did you just take out your teeth?”

“They’re called dentures, Maya. Keep up with the modern vernacular,” she deadpanned.

I stared at the case. “I don’t understand. You have a gold tooth.”

“You can get dentures to look any way you like.”

“Unbelievable. You lied to me.” I was one to talk, I knew, but still.

“It’s no different than wearing a wig.” She opened the top drawer and tossed the case inside. “Are you over it?”

I forced my attention back to Meemaw. “You were telling me about your sister.”

Meemaw continued as though the dentures discussion never happened. “I think it’s one of the reasons I took on leadership positions throughout my life. Trying to occupy Genevieve’s space. Make her absence feel less conspicuous.”