"That’s okay, Uncle Rollie, I can seat myself, sir." she whispered in his ear, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing his cheek the way Alicia had. Her blue eyes were like a beacon surrounded by her blond hair as she studied the features of Rollie’s face. Her chin was wide and she had high cheek bones that gave her a boyish look, but her face was purely female, especially when dimples surrounded her lips and her eyes when she smiled. She stood up from the couch, and turning an invisible doorknob near the television, a broad wooden door appeared as she pulled it open. She stepped up onto a stairway that completely shadowed her appearance as she ascended the stairs, slowly one by one. The stairs were framed by an oak wall and ceiling, leading upwards. Nine steps up, but by the fourth step the table in the center of the room became visible.

                A feast awaited; a large pitcher of milk, some cheese, fruit and juice, chocolate cake, a platter with all manner of cookies and pastries, meat and fish. At the end of the table was an elaborate chair, and behind it an old black woman wearing a dark colored dress stood, a nice painting hanging on the wall behind her. She had a broad smile that displayed perfect white teeth. Her gray hair accented the sheen of her dress made of a fabric that kind of glistened in the light of the room. Her face was wrinkled around her eyes and on her forehead, but her cheeks were smooth and soft. She had a large bosom, yet the rest of her body was thin and seemed to be frail, but Wendy knew otherwise; she found out on more than one occasion how strong Bess really was.

                “I bet yous’ hungry, chil’.” she said as she pulled the chair back for Wendy. “And it’s almos’ your bedtime, baby-doll.”

                Wendy hugged her and the old woman’s embrace was kind and affectionate, the milk and sweets were wonderful, but to Wendy the best part was falling asleep in the old woman's arms once she had her fill.