Page 55 of Lemon Pound Cake Club

"You don't have to carry today by yourself."

Danielle looked up at me. For the first time since I arrived, she gave me a small smile.

"Thank you for coming."

"You're not alone anymore."

I was nearly at the bedroom door when she called out to me.

"Maci?"

I turned back.

"I'm glad you're my neighbor."

I smiled.

"So am I."

I closed the door quietly behind me, leaving Danielle to her thoughts. As I walked into the hallway, questions stayed with me. I took a deep breath and went downstairs.

As I went downstairs, the sound of voices got louder. I paused at the bottom and watched for a moment. Simone packed up leftovers for Danielle. Nia wrote a grocery list on the back of an envelope. Jade split fresh flowers into three vases and took them upstairs. These women had done things like this before. Maybe not exactly this, but they always knew how to support each other.

Camille moved through the room, checking on everyone with a gentle touch on the shoulder or a quiet word of encouragement.

Miss Evelyn came up beside me, holding two glasses of lemonade.

She offered me one.

"I figured you would enjoy this."

"Thank you."

We both sipped our lemonade. She spoke while still watching the room.

"You know what I love most about this neighborhood?"

"What?"

"We never let one of our own fall."

I nodded.

"That's a beautiful thing."

"It is."

Finally, she looked at me.

"But loyalty," she said with a gentle smile. “is a powerful thing."

I was about to ask what she meant, but she walked away. I watched her disappear into the kitchen. The word loyalty stayed with me.

A few minutes later, the women grabbed their purses. Each one hugged Danielle, then quietly left through the front door.

Soon, only Camille and I remained in the foyer. She adjusted her purse strap and looked at me.

"I'm really glad you brought everyone together today."