Chapter 38: At Last, Part 2

Nubia shrugged. "Sure. I already know what she's going to say." She headed out the room. "Oh, Mama, don't ask her too much about your future, okay? It's like a pebble in a pond, and the ripples…" She squinted. "Yeah, the ripples can't be controlled. Something like that." She finally left the room.

Mom and I regarded each other for what felt like a full minute before she sighed heavily. "Jesus God Almighty, Kenya, you are either insane or brainwashing everyone around you, or I'm nutty as a fruitcake…because I believe you. As crazy as it might be, I don't think you're making this up."

I relaxed. "I don't feel exactly sane, but I am not making this up."

She didn't take her eyes away from me as she gestured to the television set. "How soon is this all going to pan out? You and Billy—is that even his name?"

"He goes by Bill."

"Bill said that two more people are already dying."

I nodded. "Because someone is tampering with Tylenol."