IN THE FLESH

MIRANDA

Just as my mother-in-law asked me that question, Kyle, who had arrived separately, showed up. I turned and we both stared at each other before I looked away.

"Let's go in first, Mom. We came here early so we could have the advantage. It's not good for us to talk outside."

My mother-in-law nodded and we all went in. There were no shareholders there yet because we still had about twenty minutes to go before the meeting began.

As we sat down, I asked Mel to make arrangements for some of the things I would need during the meeting. And she went to the projector, turned on the laptop she had carried along, and fixed everything.

My mother-in-law who sat beside me was still waiting for me. So I turned and said, "Mom, don't listen to rumors, okay? I will never betray Hazel. Hazel knows this and you should too."

"Liar!" Florence yelled as she walked into the room, but she was not alone. Behind her were Collins and Shayla. They all came in and sat down.

And Florence said, "Mom,