I was stunned.

Mama continued, “I’m too old to be climbin’ up and down those stairs and there’s that big bathroom up there and the two bedrooms. The master bedroom looks out over the backyard and there’s that little porch up there. We never even use that upstairs unless we be havin’ guests stay over!”

“Mama, we can’t take your house from you! You’ve been living here since you were a little girl!” I said, half astonished that she would even be considering this idea.

“It ain’t my house, it’s the Lord’s house, and I’ve been told to sell it to you, so you go fetch that real estate lady and have her draw up the papers. I ain’t gonna take no for an answer!” Emphatically, Mama continued, “Now, go out there and play with Layla and then you get on with this house sale. Mama has made up her mind!”

Suddenly I realized she was very serious and, knowing her like I did, all I could say was, “Mama, are you sure? I’m going to have to talk to Maggie about this too.”