Murder with Macaroni and Cheese Read Online Free PDF

much choice at this point,” she says. “Christy, make a note to call the Marriott and make the arrangements.”
    â€œI can call my contact there if you’d like. They don’t usually allow outside caterers, but she owes me a favor and—” I’m about to continue with my offer to make the arrangements myself when Raynell interrupts me.
    â€œChristy can do it,” she says as Christy types a note on her iPad.
    I’m about to talk menu options when Darius shows up at the table looking hurried.
    â€œHello, everyone.” He starts refilling the three glasses on the table with more iced tea. “What may I get you two ladies to drink?” he asks Raynell and Christy.
    â€œWhat’s that?” Raynell points to Alvetta’s glass.
    â€œThat’s our watermelon mint iced tea.”
    â€œI’ll have one of those, but, given it’s past noon, slip a shot of vodka in it for me,” Raynell says. Christy requests the same minus the octane.
    â€œSure, but before I get those drinks, let me tell you about our specials today. We have soft-shell crabs dusted with a Cajun cornmeal batter and lightly fried. They’re served with twice-fried French fries and coleslaw. We also have butter-baked chicken. There’s barely a need for a knife and fork—the meat practically falls off the bone for you. We serve that with macaroni and cheese and collard greens.”
    â€œThanks, Darius,” I say. “We’ll let the ladies look at the menu a bit more thoroughly, and then I’ll ask Wavonne to take their orders and serve the table.” I turn to Wavonne. “And the two other tables you’ve punted off on Darius.”
    â€œHow am I supposed to help you with the reunion if I’m not at the table to hear the deets?”
    â€œI’ll give you a complete rundown on everything we discuss. Now get .”
    Wavonne moans before slurping down the rest of her iced tea and getting up from the table.
    â€œShe’s quite the character,” Raynell says. And, while this is true, there is a condescending tone in Raynell’s voice when she says this that I don’t appreciate.
    â€œShe’s a good kid, but she tests me sometimes,” I say with a laugh. “She’s lived with my momma and me since she was thirteen. My aunt, her mother . . .” I’m about to give them Wavonne’s backstory, but then I decide it’s none of their business. “Let’s just say she had a complicated family situation before that.”
    â€œHow sweet,” Raynell says. “You still live with your mother.”
    â€œI guess we do still share a house. Momma needed my help when she became Wavonne’s guardian, so I moved back in. These days I’m rarely home at all. This place keeps me very busy.” I’m finding myself on the defense. Maybe I’m reading too much into it, but Raynell seems to be saying, “Oh so you’re a spinster with no man and live with your mother . . . how pathetic.” Rather than continue to justify my living situation, I decide to move on. “So, the reunion. Sounds like we have the place nailed down. Why don’t we talk menu?”
    â€œFried chicken and waffles, catfish, spare ribs, pot roast,” Alvetta says, running her finger down one side of my menu as she reads out loud. “It all sounds so good. I don’t know where to begin.”
    â€œThere are a lot of choices.” Raynell looks casually disinterested. “But everything is laden with calories. We’ll need some options for those us who haven’t let our bodies go completely to hell since high school and—” Her cell phone ring interrupts. As it continues to chime, she looks at the screen and hands the phone to Christy. “It’s Gregory. Handle it.”
    â€œOf course.” Christy takes the phone from Raynell, gets up from the table, and bypasses Wavonne as she heads toward the