Page 76 of Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming

“That’s beautiful.”

It’s crazy. Mr. Johnson is so nice, Suchi can’t imagine anyone wanting to harm him, but he was transparent with her when he explained why the twins needed to see a psychologist. This all started because he cheated, and considering how close the Richardsons seem to be, she’s not surprised that folks wanted to roll up on him.

She thinks about Bridget mentioning jumping Sheila and laughs harder.

“Okay, I won’t tell your thing if you don’t tell mine,” she says.

“Deal,” Kofi agrees.

“My best friend Aimee is engaged to her childhood sweetheart.”

“That’s dope.”

“It is, but his daughter’s mom was acting out of pocket. She’s simmered down since he and Aimee got engaged, but me, Lyric and Bridget—those are my other best friends—have a plan in place for if she starts acting up at their wedding. It’s not for a while, but basically, the plan is to tackle her if she objects to their union.”

Kofi burst out laughing.

“I’m starting to get hungry.”

“We can go back inside.”

“Nah, let’s go to Bear Burger.”

“Cool.”

Kofi starts the car, and they head out of the parking lot and toward the popular fast-food chain. He hits the drive through and tells Suchi to order first. She gets a number eight, a double bear burger with curly fries and a Sprite, and he gets a number five, a bear burger patty melt with seasoned fries and a root beer. He pays, then collects their orders. He parks in an empty spot and divvies up their food.

“Thank you.” She takes her food.

He unwraps his burger. “No problem.”

“What are your thoughts on fortune tellers and psychics and stuff like that?” Suchi takes a bite of her burger.

Kofi pops a fry into his mouth. “Oh, I definitely believe that stuff is possible. There are folks out there that have unexplainable gifts.” He chuckles. “There was a woman who lived down the street from us back in Kentucky?—”

“Which part of Kentucky?”

“Lexington.”

“Okay, sorry, continue.”

He smiles at her. “No worries. Her name is Ms. Minerva. She knew things, spoke to the ancestors. Called herself a spiritualist. A local pastor called her a fraud and tried to get the neighborhood against her. Said she was practicing satanic shit and would influence the kids in the neighborhood. That motherfucker didn’t know what the hell he was talking about because all the kids knew not to fuck with Ms. Minerva.”

Suchi smiles and nods, encouraging him to continue.

“So, one day, he literally stands on a soapbox with a bullhorn in front of Ms. Minerva’s house, just as a storm was brewing. He was talking about the will of God and how those that go against him will feel his wrath. Just then, lightning struck a big ass branch on a tree in front of her house and flattened his ass. You can look it up online. Google the name Pastor Philip Duncan.”

Suchi does, and sure enough, there it is in black and white,Local Pastor Dies in Freak Accident.

“Wow.” Suchi sips her drink.

“Yep, his family moved not long after, and no one bothered Ms. Minerva again.” Kofi takes a bite of his burger.

“What happened to her?”

He swallows and wipes his mouth. “Nothing. She’s still alive and lives in her same house.”

“I feel like the lesson here is mind your own damn business.” Suchi nods.