Timothy and the rest of the Lawsons looked up just as She approached, leading a small group behind her. Each person carried various offerings for the memorial.


    "Miss She!"


    Henry''s face lit up, and he rushed toward her.


    Sallie was quick to grab him by the arm. "Hold on, you little rascal. Where do you think you''re going?"


    She only smiled, not the least bit offended, and walked up to the group. She greeted Phelps with a gentle, "Uncle Lawson."


    Phelps'' expression darkened considerably.


    She then turned to Naylor. "Brother-inw."


    Naylor offered a strained smile, clearly ufortable. "It''s been a long time."


    She directed herpanions to set the offerings in front of the grave. "Yes, it''s been years since Ist visited. My father asked me to bring extra offerings this year for my sister."


    The space in front of the headstone was soon crowded with the gifts She had brought.


    N grinned. "Well, that''s a relief. Now big brother doesn''t have to run out and buy anything."


    Naylor thought privately that it was true-Jessica had forgotten to prepare anything, and She''s timely arrival had spared them an awkward situation. He turned to Phelps and said, "Dad, since She brought the offerings, why don''t we get ready to begin the ceremony?"


    Without warning, Phelps tapped Naylor sharply behind the knee with his cane, causing Naylor to drop to his knees in front of the grave.


    Pointing with his cane, Phelps scolded, "You fool! Who uses someone else''s offerings to honor their own ancestors, hmm?"


    It was only then that Naylor remembered the old taboo-offerings for ancestors should nevere from outsiders, and She wasn''t a Lawson by blood. What she brought, the Lawson family couldn''t use.


    Naylor kept his head down, silent and chastened.


    Some things simply couldn''t be delegated.


    In the end, Timothy took it upon himself to handle the preparations.


    Phelps and Sallie both ignored She. She quietly paid her respects to Timothy''s mother, burned the ceremonial paper, and, knowing that the Lawsons weren''t exactly thrilled to see her, didn''t linger.


    Only after She left did Sallie finally release Henry.


    Henry frowned, disgruntled. "Auntie, what''s your problem? Why wouldn''t you let me talk to Miss She?"


    Sallie''s tone was serious. "Listen here, you little rascal. From now on, when you see her, you call her ''Great Aunt She.'' Don''t ever call her Miss She again!"


    If Henry called her ''Great Aunt,'' maybe She would feel too old to keep flirting with Timothy.


    Henry rolled his eyes and pouted. "But she looks so young."


    Phelps, less stern than Sallie, crouched down to exin patiently, "Your aunt''s right. She''s your grandmother''s younger sister, so even your mother calls her Aunt. It wouldn''t make sense for you to call her ''Miss She'' or ''Aunt She.'' If word got out, people wouldugh at us for mixing up the family tree."


    Henry was still young, but he could sense that, apart from his father, most of the family didn''t care for She. He didn''t understand why; She was always so kind to him. But he knew if he defended her, no one would be pleased.


    To protect She, Henry said nothing more and simply agreed with Phelps.


    Fine, he thought. In front of them, he''d call her ''Great Aunt She,'' but in private, he''d still call her Miss She.


    Thankfully, Timothy was quick; soon, the proper offerings were bought and delivered.


    By the time the memorial was finished and they returned to the Lawson house for lunch, it was already past one in the afternoon.


    Phelps had kept his temper in check at the cemetery, not wanting to offend the ancestors. But once they were home, his face was thunderous.