Gracie Honeywalker: Fifteen years

I done lived on this place now fifteen years, all by myself. Youngest boy, he done gone off to Albany, working for the state. Don’t have no idea what for. He told me but I can’t remember. Doesn’t matter none, cause he’s happy and married to a real nice girl I like a lot. Done give me four granddaughters already. The other ten – all scattered all over New York, various places I ain’t never been and ain’t never gone to go.

I see the car pull away finally. Mr. Norman and Miz Agnes, they leaving for Philadelphia today. God be with them and their baby Grace. I sure done loved having them here with me, made for real good company. That Mr. Norman, he’s okay even if he’s too bossy and has to get his way on everything. He’s got a good heart Jesus would love. He better be real good to Miz Agnes and little Grace, cause they deserve it. Jesus’s blessing, I say, for me to help Miz Agnes bring that blue-eyed princess into the world. I’m gone to miss them.

Old Man Lacey, he’ll be down later today I’m sure. He always knows what goes on, even if I don’t tell him. I done always counted on him, ever since the baby done left. Fifteen years now. He come by, least once a week, make sure I’m okay. Give me real good company. First I couldn’t understand, he being a white man and all, why he’d pay any attention to an old black fool like me.

All started real well, right and friendly, helping me around the house when no one around. Then he’d come over for dinner and I’d make him a chicken, didn’t matter nothing to him what it was. It got real nice when he’d stay overnight. I loved it like nothing – even Old Man Honeywalker, when he done married me, he didn’t make me feel that good. Old Man Lacey, we keep at it for five years or so, and then I say, Lacey, it’s my time to say no. Now you know I love you, but it’s time you go home after dinner stead of spending the night.

That done took him back, but he still come for dinner and he still help me around the house. Fifteen years now, alone in this here house. I don’t feel lonely one bit.