“I asked Aunt Irene when is Annie’s momma coming home. Don’t be jealous, Aunt Irene said, straining the water off a steaming mass of spaghetti. I’m not jealous, I said, marveling at her ability to see into my little heart. Yes you are, Aunt Irene said, and that’s the one thing the Lord can’t abide, covetousness. You got to pray that off your spirit. Money ain’t the root of evil. It’s envy!”














