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been working with your father?”
    With my plastered on smile, my eyes remained on Maxine as we all waited for Lovie’s response.
    â€œI’m doing my best to learn as much as I can. This is my legacy. I hope to carry on the family business when and if my dad retires.”
    Maxine looked at me. “Introduce these two beautiful young ladies.”
    â€œMaxine, these are my two daughters. Hope is the baby of the family. Charity has her own business, Mahogany Event Planning.”
    Royce added, “Hopefully, one day, Hope and Charity will be more active in the family business, but for now they are both doing their own thing.”
    Maxine asked a few more questions before turning to the camera and saying, “I would like to thank the Joneses for taking time to speak with me tonight. What a lovely family. Who wouldn’t want to be like the Joneses? This is Maxine Griffin reporting from RJ Jones Funeral Home. Tune in tomorrow, I’ll be reporting live from Mansfield.”
    The cameraman said, “That’s a wrap.”
    Maxine turned to us. “Thank you. This should air tonight. I’llnever forget how easy you made my mom’s homegoing service, so I wanted to make sure I highlighted you during my hometown segment.”
    I shook her hand. “We appreciate it too.”
    Once Maxine and the cameraman were gone, I turned and faced my family with a sincere smile on my face. “Good job, everybody.”

CHAPTER 17
Royce
    L exi insisted we watch our interview together. After pleasing my wife, I slipped out of the house to go hang out with Jason at our favorite bar. Growing up, people thought Jason and I were brothers because when you saw one, you usually saw the other.
    â€œWhat made you decide to do the interview? I know you like keeping a low profile,” Jason asked.
    â€œA happy wife leads to a happy life,” I said to Jason, as we talked about the interview that aired earlier.
    â€œYou did look good on there, man. Maybe that’ll bring in more business.” Jason nursed his drink.
    â€œI hope so. I need to get Lexi out of my ear. If I can get her back in the stores, she’ll quiet down.”
    Jason laughed. “I hear you. Well, why am I just finding out that Lovie’s working with you?”
    â€œI wanted to make sure he would stay around. You know kids are fickle.”
    â€œSo, what is he doing? Don’t tell me he’s doing embalming.”
    â€œI’m teaching him the business. So, when I decide to retire or Lord forbid something happens to me, he’ll be able to take over.”
    â€œOh, okay. For a minute, I thought my job was in jeopardy.”
    â€œOh, never that.” I sipped my glass of bourbon slowly.
    â€œBusiness is slow for me, too, so I’m trying to hold on to all my current clients.”
    â€œAs long as I’m in business, you got my business,” I assured him.
    â€œHere’s to many more years.” Jason held his glass up.
    I held my glass up and tapped his. I took a big gulp and motioned for the bartender to fill up my glass. I looked at my watch. “It’s getting late. I better get home to my wife. She’s in a good mood, and I want to take advantage of it.”
    I stood up but staggered a little.
    Jason jumped up and assisted me standing up. “Maybe I should drive you home.”
    â€œI’m all right. Just needed to catch my balance.”
    â€œNo, man. I’ll drive you,” Jason insisted.
    I didn’t feel drunk, but I didn’t feel like arguing with Jason. So, I let him drive me home.
    He pulled up in the driveway. “I got it from here,” I said.
    â€œI’m going to walk you in,” he responded.
    I fumbled with my key, opened the door, and staggered in. “Honey, I’m home.”
    I ran right into Lexi. Lexi fanned in front of her. “I could smell you before you said anything.”
    I sniffed. “Maybe I did drink more than I