She rapped hard on Miss Martine’s screen door before she found the bell—on the opposite side from where it was supposed to be. Loud old-fashioned chimes sounded somewhere inside. The door opened instantly, as if Miss Martine had been waiting right behind it. “Here I am!” Reesie said a little too loudly. She suddenly felt nervous. “Well, good. I’m not deaf, you know!” Miss Martine snapped, unlatching the screen. She seemed like her usual bossy, barking self again. Reesie relaxed. At least one thing was normal today. “I’m sorry,” she apologized. “I can only stay till my parraine comes to pick me up. He said you can come to Baton Rouge with us, and—” Miss Martine sniffed. “I heard that Nagin on the radio. I’m not going anywhere. I’m just trying to clear up outside. And if you can help me move a few of my precious things in here away from the windows, in case they blow in, I’d appreciate it. Last year a plain old thunderstorm took the kitchen window right out!”
