Taking Care of Moses by Barbara O'Connor Page B

we’re going back to church, and I get to be the helper for Moses at the Play and Pray Group,” she said. “Ain’t that nice?”
    Miss Frieda settled back in her chair and shook her head. “Lawd, I swear, child, you take the cake.” She wiped the back of her neck with the tissue. “Yeah, I reckon that is nice,” she added.
    Jaybird poked Randall, and Randall said, “We got to get on back to the church. Do you want to buy some candy?”
    â€œSure, I’ll buy one.” She put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes at Randall. “But I don’t want no church rolling into my house,” she said.
    â€œNo, ma’am.”

    Miss Frieda went inside and came back with a dollar bill and a brown paper bag.
    â€œTake this over there to that praying group of yours,” she said, handing the bag to Randall.
    â€œWhat is it?”
    â€œJust some old stuff I had around here that’s getting in the way. Some baby clothes and a couple of little ole toys.”
    â€œThank you.” Randall went down the porch steps and put the bag in the wagon with the boxes of candy bars.
    Althea skipped off down the sidewalk. “If you want the Rolling Pulpit to come, just holler,” she called over her shoulder.
    Miss Frieda flapped her hand at Althea. “Git on outta here,” she said.
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    When they got to the church, Randall, Jaybird, and Althea took the wagon around back to the Fellowship Hall. Inside, tables had been set up for kids to turn in their money and pick up more candy bars to sell.
    â€œLet me pull the wagon,” Althea said.
    â€œNo,” Jaybird said, pushing her hand away.
    â€œThen let me count the money.”
    â€œI already counted it,” Randall said. “Eight dollars.”
    â€œThen—hey, look!” Althea pointed at a group of
children who had just come into the Fellowship Hall. One of them was carrying a baby. Behind them was Lavonia Shirley.
    Lavonia crossed the room, smiling and nodding at some of the church ladies. Her hair was tied back with a silk scarf that floated out behind her as she walked.
    Mrs. Jennings looked up from counting money. “Well, hey there, Lavonia,” she said.
    â€œI came to help,” Lavonia said.
    Althea pointed to one of the girls with Lavonia. “She can be on my candy team. What’s her name?”
    â€œMiracle,” Lavonia said.
    â€œMiracle?” Althea cocked her head. “What kinda name is that?”
    Mrs. Jennings put her hand on Althea’s shoulder. “Where are your manners, Althea?” she said. “Have you met Mrs. Shirley?”
    â€œI heard about her ’cause of Queenie.”
    â€œQueenie Avery?”
    Randall’s heart dropped clear down to his stomach. They weren’t supposed to be talking about Queenie.
    â€œYes, ma’am,” Althea said. “Queenie’s all the time talking about Lavonia Shirley.”
    Randall wanted to jump on Althea. Knock her right down to the floor and cover her mouth.
    â€œPoor ole Queenie.” Mrs. Jennings shook her head. “She sure does talk crazy sometimes.”

    Althea grinned. “She sure does.”
    â€œAnyway …” Mrs. Jennings put her arm around Althea’s shoulder, “Lavonia, this is Althea Gilley.”
    Randall let his breath out with a whoosh. Maybe they weren’t going to talk about Queenie, after all.
    â€œAnd that there is her brother, Jaybird.” Mrs. Jennings nodded at Jaybird.
    Lavonia smiled.
    â€œAnd this is Randall Mackey,” Mrs. Jennings said.
    Randall watched Lavonia’s face as she shifted her gaze from Jaybird to him. She nodded and said, “Pleased to meet you, Randall Mackey.”
    And then, just ever so slightly, she winked.
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    â€œWe will load up our FAITH and our PRAYERS and ALL of the goodness in our hearts,” Preacher Ron was saying. “LOAD it right up onto our Rolling Pulpit