My son h.it me last night and I stayed quiet. This morning, I laid out my lace tablecloth, baked a full Southern breakfast, and then set the good china like it was Christmas.

 

This morning, I rose before sunrise, as I always do. My cheek was swollen, but I covered it carefully with makeup and fastened my pearl earrings. I spread the lace tablecloth my mother gave me when I married and prepared a full Southern breakfast—biscuits, sausage gravy, buttered grits, scrambled eggs, and bacon cooked just right. I brought out the china we reserve for Christmas and Easter.