When Everything's Said & Done by Eboni Snoe

well that—”
    “Leave me alone,” Laura replied and put the second package of cookies in the cart. “Let them tell it, I can’t enjoy anything anymore.” She moved slowly down the aisle. “So I don’t care what that doctor says. I’m going to have something good in my life.”
    “All right,” Brenda turned her head. “I’m not going to say anything else.”
    Laura huffed. “Do you promise?”
    “What are you two talking about?”
    Laura leaned on the basket for support as she turned around. “Michael. I knew it was you. I didn’t have to see your face. I know your voice.”
    “How you doin’, Miss Laura?”
    “I’m just fine. Glad to see you. You’re lookin’ good.”
    “The same goes for you.”
    Laura rolled her eyes. “You’re just lying now. But I appreciate it anyway. ”
    “Hi, Michael,” Brenda said with a kind of sweetness.
    “Hey. How you doin’?”
    “I’m good.”
    “That’s great,” Michael replied.
    “How’s life treating you?” Laura asked.
    “I can’t complain. Business has picked up and I’ve got my own little storefront agency down on Ninth South. So what can I say?” He smiled and nodded. “Life has been treating me pretty fairly.”
    “I meant to tell you I saw your name on a list of businesses that we plan to ask to help support Community Ties,” Brenda said.
    “Ohh.” Both of Michael’s eyebrows rose.
    “And we don’t hit up anybody but the businesses we think are doing pretty well.” She smiled.
    Michael smiled, too. “Tell me anything.”
    “Oh, no.” Brenda’s voice softened. “You’re really doing great, Michael. I’m proud of you.”
    Laura’s eyes narrowed as she watched Brenda.
    “I hoped I’d see you at some more of the meetings.” Brenda looked down almost as if to compose herself. “You came to a couple of them and then you stopped.” “I’ve been working in the evenings,” Michael replied. “But I’ll be back.”
    “Really? I’d love to see you, Michael.”
    Michael gazed at Brenda. “It’s a done deal.”
    “Or better still,” Brenda chimed, “I can bring the pa perwork over to you since I’m responsible for all of the money. Would you mind if I brought the papers over to your house?”
    “No,” Michael replied. “I wouldn’t mind at all.” “How about tonight?” Brenda pressed. “I could bring them tonight.”
    Michael hesitated. “I guess tonight is as good as any.” “Good,” Brenda said. “I’ll see you about seven-thirty.” “Alright.” Michael grabbed one of Laura’s hands and kissed it. “It was good seeing you. Miss Laura. But I better hurry. I’ve got an appointment in about thirty minutes. I was hoping to run in here, pick up a couple of things and get right on out.”
    “Alright, Michael,” Laura replied. “It’s good see ing you, too.”
    “Take care.” Michael turned and began to walk away. “See you tonight,” Brenda confirmed.
    He glanced back and said, “Tonight,” before he disappeared around the corner of the aisle.
    Brenda and Laura completed their grocery shopping. But Laura was unusually quiet. Brenda chattered to fill the void. They hadn’t been back home five minutes be fore Laura put the reason for her silence on the table.
    “What in the world did you call yourself doing in the grocery store?”
    “What?” Brenda replied.
    “Don’t what me, Brenda Robinson. All that smiling and smooth talking you were doing with Michael.”
    “I wasn’t doing any smooth talki—”
    “Yes, you were. If that wasn’t smooth talking I’ve never heard any. And the way you looked when you saw him... If Michael had had a piece of bread in his hand, he could have spread you just like peanut butter.” Brenda placed the dried macaroni in the cabinet. “Now, Mama, you’re sounding ridiculous.”
    “No more ridiculous that you looked.” Laura pressed her lips together. “I want you to know that.” Brenda just looked at her.
    “Have you been seeing Michael?”
    “I’ve