Discretion is the Better Part of Valor

Moses Jones and Elizabeth Castle-Jones entered a simple soul food restaurant. Elizabeth was six months pregnant, and it was clear Moses's son would be a big one. She felt the same as if she was nine months along with Katie, Elizabeth thought. Moses kept a tight grip on her hip.

"Ever been here?" he whispered in her ear.

"Nope," she said.

"Run by an old friend of mine, Bernice. Cook is a good man, Antoine. Course, not surprising a cracker like you wouldn't come here," he responded with a sly grin.

Moses ordered some catfish with okra and collard greens. Elizabeth, unsure of what was good, followed suit.

"This isn't bad," Elizabeth said enthusiastically. "So what's the big news anyway?"

"Well, I decided," Moses said, eating another piece of catfish. "Going into politics and starting my life over in my 60s ... that'd be the same shit that got me in trouble in the first place. I don't need no crackers like your Daddy on my case again. So I'm just going to retire."

"Stay at home and lay the wood to your wife?" Elizabeth said, chuckling. This was good news indeed.

"Something like that," Moses agreed, chuckling.