Edna followed to see Renee sitting next to her mother’s bed with a book in her lap. It looked like a Bible. As Edna moved farther into the room, she saw Guy seated on the opposite side of the bed, holding his mother’s hand. Cherisse lay propped on two pillows. She seemed to be asleep, but her eyes opened when Peg and Edna entered. She looked at them vaguely until recognition sparked some life into her face. Her lips moved as if she were about to greet them when Guy rose abruptly. Renee, sitting sideways to the door, turned her face to the wall, but not before Edna noticed her eyes were red and puffy from crying. Edna wondered with sudden panic if Cherisse were dying. Had she and Peg stumbled into an awkward moment? “Ladies,” Guy’s voice distracted Edna’s attention from Cherisse as he moved toward them with arms held away from his sides, herding them back toward the open door. “Mama is not receiving visitors this afternoon. Please.” He nodded toward the hall and followed them from the room, pulling the door shut behind him.
