We were family and it was in a very deep way.

Getting through the meal and clearing the table, we were ready for the house talk. As Maggie made coffee and cut the pie I decided to put Layla to bed. It was her bedtime at 7:30 and it was almost 8pm, so with Mama and Maggie chatting in the kitchen I tucked Layla in bed.

I usually told her a bedtime story, something I’d make up on the fly. Tonight’s story was about a magic princess who had a dog that could fly. I asked Layla to name the dog. She came up with “Sugar.” I thought that was really cute, figuring she got it from the neighbor’s dog, Sugar, who sometimes plays with Buddy.

In no time Layla went out like a light.

Joining “the girls,” who were now sitting at the table, I noticed the pie and coffee and Mama’s bag. “What’s in the bag, Mama?” I asked.

“Oh, that’s my house paperwork!” Mama said.

Maggie said, “Let’s finish up our pie and talk about the house. Is that okay, Mama?”

“That’s just perfect!” Mama said, and then she exclaimed, “Lordy, girl, that’s some kind of special good pecan pie!”