Kenric drove Grandma, Letitia and me to a United Methodist Women’s circle meeting at a member’s home. Letitia is Grandma’s friend who’s originally from Ghana. She’s been in the U.S. since the 80s. She’s a very nice lady, so I feel kind of horrible that every time she says “Forget about it!”, I hear “Fuckget about it!”
On the road again!
The host was a very welcoming senior lady. On her piano was Michelle Obama’s book, Becoming. The bookmark shows she’s halfway through. There were many beautiful quilts in the home. Grandma asked if she would like some fabric scraps for her quilt making. The host said she would take whatever Grandma gives her and she’ll pass on whatever she doesn’t want to a group that makes little quilts for the police. Huh? “Sometimes, when the police have to remove a baby from a home, they need a little quilt to wrap the baby.” I stopped myself from awwing at what is actually a horrible situation.
There was a good selection for breakfast. The quiche was good but the homemade scones were better. The treasurer passed around two donation cans, and everyone started digging for coins. I signaled to Grandma that I didn’t have any. She said it was OK. Letitia who was seated on my left snuck some coins into my hands. Thanks Letitia, I will not fuckget your kindness!
The host got up and asked if anyone wanted more scones. Letitia said yes, so did I. As I turned around to take the platter from the host, someone said, “We’ll just pass it around.” I immediately handed the tray to Grandma on my right, and she said, “Letitia would like one.” D’oh! Of course I knew that. It’s just that every time a large group of people sit down at a dining table, they always contemplate if they should pass the food to the right or to the left, and it seems like the pass-to-the-right diners usually win. Since this is a very formal setting to me, I forgot all common-sense manners, and passed to the right.
It was obvious Letitia felt slighted. I would be too. I must have appeared like an Auntie Tom; not passing the scones to the Black lady who asked for it, and giving them to the white ladies. What a faux pas.
The neighborhood where the meeting was held. The next meeting will be at the church.
Letitia offered to take everyone’s plates. I helped. We were the two youngest, after all. At the sink, I said to Letitia, “I’m sorry I didn’t pass the scones to you first. I thought I must always pass to the right.” She bust out laughing saying, “I know what you mean! I also never know which way to pass. Don’t worry, we are sisters.”
I’m so glad Letitia was so understanding, but I’m still embarrassed. Anyway, like the scones on the platter and those I ate, this too shall pass.
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