It's All About The Moon When The Sun Ain't Shining by Ernest Hill

didn’t see the waiter, I turned back toward Omenita. I could see that she was getting upset so I decided to change the conversation.
    â€œWork going alright?” I asked.
    â€œKind of slow today,” she said. “Not many people out with the weather and all. Guess they all hugging the heater.”
    â€œWell that’s understandable,” I said.
    â€œI must say, I’m kind of surprised to see you in town on such a cold day,” she said. “Seeing how you a warm weather man.”
    â€œHelping Daddy out at the diner.”
    â€œWashing dishes!” she said.
    I nodded.
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œMr. Silas took sick. Just helping out ’til he’s back on his feet.”
    â€œAnd how long will that be?”
    â€œJust for a few days,” I said.
    â€œMaurice,” she said, “I swear. Sometimes I just don’t understand you.”
    I furrowed my brow and looked at her.
    â€œWhat is it that you don’t understand?”
    â€œOh, forget it.”
    â€œNo,” I said. “Tell me.”
    â€œI just don’t understand why you would disgrace yourself washing dishes, that’s all.”
    â€œDisgrace!” I said. “What’s the disgrace?”
    â€œWell if you don’t know I’m not gon’ tell you.”
    â€œNow who’s being snobbish?” I said.
    â€œThat’s different and you know it,” she said. “I ain’t looking down at nobody, I just don’t want nobody looking down on us.”
    â€œBecause I’m helping my Daddy at the diner?”
    â€œForget it,” she said.
    â€œNo,” I said. “I won’t.”
    â€œYou don’t understand,” she said. “You just don’t understand.”
    â€œWell make me understand,” I said.
    â€œHow can I,” she asked, “when you won’t listen?”
    â€œJust open your mouth and tell me,” I said. “That’s how.”
    I looked at her but she remained quiet.
    â€œWhat is it?” I asked.
    She looked out of the window, took a deep breath, then looked back at me.
    â€œMaurice,” she said, on the verge of tears, “I been catching hell all my life because of my mama and daddy. Now I’ll be damn if I’m gon’ spend the rest of my life catching hell because of you.”
    â€œBecause of me!”
    â€œBecause of you,” she said.
    â€œI don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said.
    â€œMaurice, you a college man. You ain’t no goddamn dishwasher.”
    â€œYou need to quit worrying about what everybody think,” I said.
    â€œForget it,” she snapped. “Wash all the goddamn dishes you want to. See if I care.”
    â€œYou need to lower your voice and watch your mouth,” I said. “I swear I don’t know why you have to curse so much.”
    â€œHope this ain’t the big news you had to tell me,” she said. “You got a goddamn job washing dishes.”
    â€œWatch your mouth, Omenita,” I said. “I mean it!”
    â€œDon’t handle me, Maurice,” she said angrily. “You ain’t my daddy, and I ain’t no child, and you ain’t gon’ talk to me like that.”
    The waiter brought our food and placed it on the table before us. Two large bowls of steaming hot stew and a large square of corn bread. I unrolled my silverware and placed the napkin across my lap. Omenita did the same. I looked at her, then at the waiter.
    â€œLooks good,” I told him.
    â€œNeed anything else,” he said, “just let me know.”
    â€œI appreciate it,” I said.
    He left and I saw Omenita dip the edge of her spoon in the stew and lift a small portion of the pot liquor to her mouth.
    â€œWell,” I said after she had tasted it.
    â€œIt’s fantastic,” she said.
    Suddenly, I laughed.
    â€œWhat’s so funny?” she asked.
    â€œNothing,” I