Read Online Murder with Macaroni and Cheese by A.L. Herbert - Free Book Online

on Sunday. We’ll be discussing, among other things, the church’s strategy to expand our outreach via social media. We’ll be holding classes for members about how to effectively use Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and such to promote God’s word and attract new members to the church.”
    â€œMmmm . . . fancy,” Wavonne says as she continues to thumb through the brochure. I look over her shoulder and see photos of the hotel—lots of wainscoting, colonial furniture, and heavy drapes. “Will you be attendin’, Rick?”
    â€œI will. I’m leading a focus group about the church’s Web site. We’ll be reviewing the site in detail . . . determining what works well, and what can be improved.”
    â€œI know all about Web sites,” Wavonne brags. “I help my girl Jereme with her blog. It’s called ‘Real, Wig, or Weave?’ We put up photos of celebrities, and viewers post commentaries about whether Beyoncé or Viola or Mary J . . . or whoever are sportin’ their own hair, a weave, or a wig. We’ve got hair-care tips and let readers know about specials on products. You should check it out.”
    â€œSure.”
    â€œI think I’d like to attend this retreat. How much does it cost?”
    â€œThe church subsidizes some of the expenses, so it’s only five hundred dollars for the weekend, which includes your hotel room, a complimentary breakfast on Saturday and Sunday morning, and access to all the classes, seminars, and discussion groups. And it’s a great way to meet other church members.”
    â€œHalia.” Wavonne turns to me. “Loan me five hundred dollars, would ya? So I can go on this retreat with Rick and help him with the church’s Web site . . . and anything else he may need some help with.”
    Knowing that one, Wavonne has no interest in the helping with the church’s outreach via technology and just wants to go to Williamsburg to get all up in Rick’s business, and two, that “loan” and “give” mean the same thing to Wavonne, I respond, “Umm . . . no.”
    â€œCome on, Halia. Tell her, Aunt Celia, I’ll be doin’ the Lord’s work.”
    â€œNot getting involved,” Momma says.
    â€œWe have the reunion next weekend anyway, Wavonne. You promised to help me with that.”
    I watch as Wavonne tries to determine if her time will be better spent chasing Rick around at a retreat in which she has no interest or tagging along with me to my reunion where she can spend some time with a retired professional football player who may be able to introduce her to some real live Redskins.
    â€œThat’s right.” She puts the brochure back down on the table. “I need Raynell’s husband to set me up with some football.. . .” She lets her voice trail off as she notices Rick looking at her. “With some footballs . . . yeah, some footballs . . . to give to needy kids.”
    â€œYes, we all know you are all about helping needy kids.” I try not to roll my eyes as I say this.
    Wavonne glares at me before turning back to Rick. “How about I leave you my phone number, and you can call me if you ever want to talk Web sites . . . or whateveh.”
    â€œSure. Of course.” Rick taps a few times on his phone and hands it to Wavonne. She grabs it from him, enters her contact information, and gives it back to him.
    â€œWhatever happened to a pen and paper?” Momma asks, looking on.
    Rick extends his hand to Wavonne. She shakes it and then holds it a tad longer than is really appropriate before I remind her it’s time for us to meet Alvetta in the café.
    â€œThere’s a bible-study group meeting now,” Momma says, looking down at the bulletin as we walk through the hall. “I’ll check that out while you two discuss reunion plans with your friends.”
    â€œOkay. Why don’t we plan to meet in front of the