Page 119

Sleeping didn't help Mama. If anything, she

appeared to fall further into some abyss of madness. She babbled inco

herently when she was awake, then drifted off. I tried to get her to drink some water, but it ran out of the corners of her mouth. Her tongue was like a plug keeping any-thing from going down her throat. I knew that she couldn't last long like this, but I kept hoping that somehow I would get her sensible again.

I spent my day looking after Panther. Baby Celeste remained sullen and angry. Finally, when Panther was taking a nap and Mama was asleep again, I tried to satisfy Baby Celeste by going out to the garden. She did seem pleased, but because we couldn't stay long, she returned to her sulking, ate little, and ignored me. Finally, she went up to her room and closed the door. When I looked in on her, she was asleep in her bed.

Late in the afternoon. Betsy returned alone. She had bags and bags of clothing, shoes, cosmetics, everything she had lacked and wanted. I had to help her bring it all in and up to her room. It took me two trips. She didn't even look at Panther or ask after him. All she did was babble about the wonderful new clothing she had gotten. I tried to be as interested and excited about it all as I could, just to please her. Finally, she stopped and asked about Mama and our attorney. Mr. Derward Lee Nokleby-Cook.

"I've decided to join Tad's band," she told me. "I'm going to travel with them and be their manager. One of the first things I'm buying with my money is one of those buses with a bathroom in it. We're going to paint the name of the band on the sides. Everyone's excited about it. Well?"

"I'm trying to do what you want. But Mama's still asleep."

"What do you mean, still asleep?" she cried. grimacing. "That's just a bunch of crap. She's pretending. And I can tell you it won't work."

She threw down her new blouse and marched out of her room. "Betsy!" I cried after her. "Don't."

She forged ahead and burst into Mama's bedroom. Mama was still in bed, of course. her eyes closed. Betsy charged right at the bed. I ran after her, but she got there first and started to shake Mama.

"Wake up. Sarah. This pretending won't work with me. I want my money and I want it right away. Wake up, damn you!" she screamed, and shook Mama so hard her head bounced back and forth.

I grabbed Betsy's arms to stop her, but she was so determined, she broke free of my grasp and shook Mama again. Mama's eyes opened. but she didn't speak nor did she look at Betsy.

"Stop pretending to be in some sort of a sick daze!

You do what I asked and do it now, damn you!" she screamed.

Mama didn't speak, didn't even utter a sound in defense or protest. Her eyes closed again.

"If you don't do what I want, go downstairs, boil water, and throw it on your face,"

Betsy threatened.

Mama's eyelids fluttered, but didn't open. Betsy flung her back to the bed and pillow, turned, and glared hatefully at me.

"I'm sick of you. Sick of her. Sick of this place. She's not getting away with stealing my money! Betsy bellowed.

"She's not stealing it," I said as calmly as I could. "Your father wanted it this way."

"He did not. She made him do it." Betsy pointed at Mama, "She had him hypnotized or something." She glowered at Mama, "You're not getting away with any of this anymore. Sarah." she shouted.

"She can't help it. She's not well. I can't even get her to drink water."

"Oh. stop. I know what she's up to. She probably thinks her spirits will save her, but not this time. You're not the boss this time. Sarah. You're not telling anyone to do anything anymore. I want my money!"

Mama's lips moved slightly but her eyes remained closed.

"She's not pretending. You'll have to wait until we get her well again!"

"Is that right, Noble Celeste? I have to wait?" Betsy said, smiling madly. "Me? I'm the one who has to wait for my own money?"

"Can't you see how she is?"

She turned back to Mama. "I see a phony, a lunatic. That's what I see. Okay, you want to play hardball. Sarah, we'll play hardball. I'm going down to boil the water."

She spun around and charged past me, pushing me aside as she went by and out the bedroom door. Mama moaned, but she didn't open her eyes.

"Please. Mama." I said. "let's get her the money and get her out of here for good."