When Everything's Said & Done by Eboni Snoe Page A

seen him at some of the neighborhood meetings, and at a few other social gatherings. But I know what you mean.” Brenda placed her hand on her hip. “And why would you ask me that?”
    “Why?” Laura retorted. “You know why. Michael is Cora’s man, and you don’t mess around with your sister’s man.”
    “My goodness.” Brenda put her other hand on her hip. “This speech is a little late, isn’t it? Why didn’t you tell Cora that?”
    “There was no need.”
    “Well Michael was definitely Annette’s before Cora got a hold of him.”
    “But Annette’s gone.” Laura’s eyes narrowed. “And where she’s gone to ain’t nothing going to become of her relationship with Michael. But you and Michael, that’s another thing. It’s Michael and Cora now. And you need to remember that.”
    “Michael and Cora? Mama, Cora has been gone a year and a half. And the last time I spoke to Michael about it, which was a couple of weeks ago, he hadn’t heard one word from her. Not one word from Cora since she’s been gone. Not one phone call. Not one letter. Nothing. And on that subject, how much have we heard from her? How many letters have you gotten, Mama? Five? Three? Two?”
    “We don’t know what Cora’s doing or if she can even get a letter out from there. You should be more con cerned about your sister’s welfare than judging her based on how many letters she’s written.”
    Brenda closed the cabinet door. “She wouldn’t have to write if she hadn’t left. Now we know that for sure. We wouldn’t have to worry about her, either.”
    A pained look crossed Laura’s face, but it quickly disappeared. “You know, there’s no need for me to talk to you about Cora. No need at all. Because the truth is you are jealous of her and you always have been.” She crossed her arms. “And I think that’s why you’re going after Michael.”
    Brenda reared back. “Jealous! I am not jealous! Why should I be? For as long as I can remember, Cora has always been doing things I would never think of doing.” “And that’s why. Cora is free enough to be herself and—”
    “And I’m just what. Mama? So uptight I can’t be myself?” Brenda drew her body up to its fullest height. “I am who I am, and I happen to feel good about myself. But I wish that you felt good about me. But no matter how I’ve tried, I’ve never been able to make you love me the way you love Cora. Well you know what?” She shook her head. “I’m sick of trying. And from this day forward I’m never going to try again. If you prefer to defend and to give all of your heart to Cora, who has proven to be irresponsible, selfish—” her voice broke “—a liar and even a whore—”
    “You stop right there.” Laura’s arm shot straight out. “You stop right there. Don’t you dare speak like that in my house. Don’t you dare!”
    “You don’t have to worry.” Tears ran down Brenda’s cheeks. “I won’t speak like that in your house. But why not? You won’t go to church. You won’t get involved with my committee just because it’s associated with the church. How do you think that makes me feel, Mama? How can I encourage other people to get involved with Community Ties when I can’t even convince my own mother?” Laura’s chin jutted out. “I’ve never been to one of your meetings and I don’t intend to. And I’m going to tell you something, don’t you ever use that tone with me again in my house.” She drew an agitated breath. “Or speak like that again about anyone, and definitely not your sister. If you got to talk like that, you can just stay out of here. You hear me?”
    Brenda’s face quivered as she stood with stiff arms at her side. “I hear you and understand you very well.
    Mama. And I’m going to get some clothes and do just that.”
    Laura stood in the kitchen and listened as Brenda gathered her things in the bedroom upstairs. When the front door closed, her body trembled inside, but she did not go to the