What Grace Really Believes

Every family has someone like Mavis McCready.

Mavis is the black sheep of the Greenleaf family. She owns a blues bar on Beale Street, and her sister, the first lady of Calvary Fellowship World Ministries, refers to her as the "evil sister purveying the devil's music." Thus, she's a natural ally of Grace "Gigi" Greenleaf, who is also an outsider in her own family.

Now that Grace is back in town, she stops by the bar to check in with Mavis. After a trip down memory lane, Grace reveals what she really wants to talk about: the mysterious death of her sister Faith.

"Did Faith ever come in here?" Grace asks her aunt.

"She did, but after she moved out of the house, she started moving in her own circles," Mavis says, exchanging a knowing, sympathetic glance. "Nothing you can do about that. Nothing. She had her own path, and we both know who's to blame for that."

Conversation turns quickly to Robert "Mac" McCready, Mavis' brother. "Your Uncle Mac," Mavis begins, but she can't seem to find the words.

"What?" Grace says with a concerned look. Then, as Mavis lowers her gaze, realization dawns on Grace's face. "He did it again."

"Honestly, Gigi, I don't think he ever really stopped," Mavis says. "Every couple of years, you hear rumors about some girl he's mixed up with. Nothing ever comes of it. I didn't even both to tell you. But two months ago, one of the cops who works around here came to see me and told me about a 13-year-old girl from the church who'd come in and gave a statement."

"And what happened?" Grace says.

"Nothing. She recanted. After three days, said she made the whole thing up."

"Just like Faith."

Mavis nods.

"Why are you telling me this?" Grace says.

"Because right now I'm the only person in this family that knows that happened, besides Mac," Mavis says, "and you are the only one who can do something about it."