“How could leave my favorite cousin here alone to fight off the vulture by herself.” He said smiling at Jess.

“I am your only cousin.” Jess said.

“I think I smell something good coming from the kitchen. Why don’t we go get something to eat and then maybe we can go for a ride afterwards?” He said looking at Jess.

“Okay.” Jess said. He winked at his mother, and carried Jess inside. When they got inside everyone was in the living room. Alyssa was the only one that she allowed to take her from Bobby. Bette had dated Alyssa a year before she met Tina. Julie really didn’t approve of that. Jess had gotten close to her during those 9 months. She still kept in touch with Bette not only because Jess was her niece but because they had become friends, and occasionally had lunch together.

“I missed you. How did your game go today?” Alyssa said.

“It was great we won.” Jess said.

“Why don’t we leave the hellos for later.” Kate said to her brothers Ben and Jake. The maid came out of the dining room.

“Dinner’s ready.” Aisha (the Maid) said.

“Great.” Bobby said still holding Jess. They all filed into the dining room. Bobby sat Jess down in the chair next to him.

“Who wants to say grace?” Julie said looking at Jess.

“Jess would you like to say it?” Julie asked. Jess just stared at her.

“I say it.” Ben said. “Lord bless the food we are about to receive for the nourishment of out bodies. And we thank you for letting us be here together. Please let us have a good and uneventful weekend. Amen.” When he finished every one began to fix their own plates. Kate fixed Jess’s with Mashed potatoes and gravy, fried chicken, green beans, and a biscuit. Everyone ate and there was not a whole lot of talking. Jess had never had fried chicken or mashed potatoes with gravy. She ate her green beans and picked at her the insides of her biscuit. She pushed the rest of it around her plate.

“What the matter sweetheart? Don’t you like it?” Alyssa asked. Jess sat back in her chair and shook her head no. “I forgot you don’t eat a lot of this kind of food.”