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I hurried inside to check on Baby Celeste and wait for Mama's return.

To my surprise, she didn't return for so long. I actually began to worry that something might have happened to her. What could I do? I couldn't leave the baby and go looking for her. Baby Celeste and I set the table and I finally had to take out the meat loaf and serve the vegetables and mashed potatoes. Although we had never had a dinner without Mama present at the table. Baby Celeste ate well and didn't seem half as nervous Or confused about it as I was. My ears kept listening for the sound of Mama's footsteps on the front porch or the sound of the front door opening. I fidgeted with my food. My stomach tightened so much that I could barely swallow anything.

Where was she?

It had grown darker and darker just as I had predicted. too.

I looked at Baby Celeste. She smiled at me and tapped her fork. I shook my head and she stopped. Why didn't it bother her more that Mama wasn't here?

"Just eat. Celeste," I said.

Finally. I heard the distinct sound of an automobile approaching the house. Why was there an automobile here? I wondered. No one ever came here without first calling, and Mama hadn't mentioned any customer coming. I couldn't answer the door, not without her here. Oh, where was she? I moaned to myself.

I rose quickly and went to the front door. Opening it slightly. I peered out, and to my utter surprise I saw Mama emerge from a car. After she was out, she turned and laughed at something. It was a different sort of laugh, too, different from her amusement at something Baby Celeste had done or said. This was the light, flirtatious laugh of a young girl. I strained to see who was driving the car, but with the sky moonless tonight, the shadows were undiluted, thicker, masking the identity of the man. In fact, his silhouette was so dark, he looked more like one of our spirits. Could it be that?

I saw Mama lean in toward him before she closed the door. Although I couldn't make out any words. I knew something was said, something that was followed by another laugh and then her closing the door. She stood there as the driver backed up and turned to go down the driveway. She waved and then lowered her head and started for the house.

I closed the door softly but quickly and then scooped up Baby Celeste, who had followed me and was standing at my side.

"Let's finish eating," I told her, and put her back on her booster seat as Mama entered the house.

I looked back when she reached the dining room door. "Everything all right?" she asked. "Is the baby eating?"

"Yes, Mama. But where have you been?"

"I'll be right down," she said instead of replying to my question, and went to the stairway.

I took my seat and waited for her. Baby Celeste finished eating and crawled out of her seat. She came around to me as Mama descended the stairs. She had changed into a housecoat and went right to serving herself her dinner. Both of us watched her quietly and waited,

"It's probably cold by now, Mama. Do you want me to heat it up for you first?"

"Why would I want you to do that? Since when do you heat up food for me?"

"I just thought..."

"It's fine," she said.

She ate quietly for a few moments, gazing at the two of us. Baby Celeste was so still and quiet sitting on my lap that it was as if she had turned into a life-size doll.

"Just look at the both of you," Mama began, "staring at me like this. Anyone would think I had been away for days, weeks, even months."

"I was worried about you, Mama. It had gotten dark and you never miss dinner. I didn't know what to do," I said, unable to keep the panic out of my voice.

She grimaced. "I need to know you have more grit in you than that, Noble. You've got to have a man's heart. courage. I don't want to see you grow into one of these namby- pambies I hear these people complain about when they come here to buy their remedies. From now on I might be gone more often and be

more and more in charge of things. I need to know you are capable of being responsible and strong."

"I don't understand. by would you be away more and more. Mama?"

"Oh..." She waved her hand. She looked to the side and shook her head at someone standing there listening to our conversation.

Baby Celeste turned and with her tiny right forefinger traced the shape of my right ear. "Put her down," Mama ordered gruffly.

I lifted her out of my lap and set her on the floor. She stood there confused for a moment and then just sat at my feet. Mama took a deep breath and blew the air between her lips. She was obviously annoyed and I had no idea why or what I had done to make her so.

She ate a little more of her meat loaf and mashed potatoes, then paused and suddenly. as if nothing had been said before in a testy tone, smiled

"You'll never guess whom I just met during my walk today," she began. "Who?" I asked quickly.