Page 120 of Lemon Pound Cake Club

"I don't agree with how you lied to us." Her words hung in the air. "But I understand why you did."

Simone nodded.

"So do I."

Nia reached across the table and squeezed my hand.

"We can't change what happened to Mari, but we can make sure it never happens again."

Miss Evelyn smiled through her tears.

"The Lemon Pound Cake Club doesn't need a new purpose." She glanced at the recipe box. "It just needs to remember its original one."

I looked around the table at each woman and thought about all the reasons we came together on Thursdays. Then I slowly sat at the head of the table. I didn't do it because I had won or because revenge mattered. I did it because someone needed to protect what was started.

Epilogue

A year later

Thursday mornings still belonged to us. The cemetery was quiet, with just the leaves rustling overhead and birds singing far away. I carried the cake box carefully as I walked down the familiar path.

Before I left home, Bernice placed fresh lemons around the handle.

"She would've liked that," she said.

I hoped she was right.

When I reached Mari's headstone, I sat on the cool grass and let out a quiet sigh.

"I know," I said softly as I brushed away a few fallen leaves. "I'm late."

I smiled. "You always hated when I was late."

I opened the cake carrier and took out the lemon pound cake I baked before sunrise. It was the same recipe we used to make together on Thursday mornings, back when everything felt right.

I cut two slices and set her piece gently at the base of her headstone.

"There."

I let out a quiet laugh.

"That glaze is is better than yours."

A breeze brushed past me. For a second, it seemed like she was laughing along with me. I looked at her name carved into the granite.

MARI CALLOWAY.

Beloved Daughter.

Beloved Friend.

Gone too soon.

"They reopened your case."

My voice was just a whisper. I swallowed hard.

"They know you didn't deserve any of it."