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"Of course you can, and of course you will," I insisted. "We have more room than we need. If I'm not at the house, I'll be at the hospital," I said. There was a little pause before he spoke again.

"This may not be the proper time for me to say it," he told me, "but I miss you."

"I miss you, too."

I felt guilty .being happy when my parents were so sad, but I couldn't help feeling a surge of excitement when I thought about Jack coming to New Orleans. I had a better appetite when I returned to the dinner table and finished my supper. Afterward I thought about watching television or listening to some music, but decided instead to go up to my room to read for a while before going to sleep.

The lights were out in Mommy and Daddy's room, so I didn't bother them, but a little less than an hour after I had put out my own lights, I heard Mommy scream. I got up and rushed across the corridor. The lights were on, and they were both sitting up in bed. Daddy was embracing Mommy.

"What is it?" I asked, my heart pounding. hadn't heard the phone ring, but it could have. Was there bad news from the hospital?

"Your mother had a nightmare; it's all right," Daddy said.

"No," she cried pulling away from him. "It's not all right."

"Ruby!"

She shook her head vehemently and started to get out of bed.

"Where are you going, Mommy?" I asked as she reached for her clothing.

"I've got to go to Jean's grave," she said.

"Now?" Daddy said, amazed. "But it's nearly midnight, Ruby, and--"

"I have to be there at midnight," she declared. "My dream told me so."

"You can't go to the cemetery now, Ruby," Daddy said. "Be reasonable."

"Don't worry, Daddy," I said. "I'll go with her." "But, Ruby, it's so late, and you know there are thugs loitering around the cemeteries."

Mommy continued to dress. Daddy grimaced and struggled to get his leg over the edge of the bed so he could reach for his crutches.

"What are you doing, Daddy?"

"If she insists on going, I'm going too," he declared. I turned and ran back to my room to put my clothes on.

"At least wait for me," I heard Daddy cry. Mommy charged out of the bedroom and down the stairs. Her face was like a mask, her eyes fixed and cold as she hurried by.

"Mommy, wait," I called.

"See to your father," she replied.

Daddy emerged on his crutches, moving as quickly as he could. I went to help him, but by the time we got downstairs, Mommy had already driven off.

"She's gone mad again," Daddy declared. He and I got into his car and followed. I drove. Mommy had already parked her car and gone into the cemetery when we pulled up behind her.

"What is she doing?" Daddy mumbled. I helped him out. We had a flashlight in the glove compartment, but we were fortunate in that the moon was nearly full and there were only a few small clouds. The moonlight made the tombs and vaults gleam. The polished stone looked bone-white against the darkness. I stayed right next to Daddy as he hobbled along the pathway toward my brother's grave. Mommy had lit a candle beside the vault and then had knelt and pressed her forehead to the stone. Her shoulders lifted and fell with her sobs. I left Daddy's side and hurried to her.

"Mommy." I hugged her.

"I begged him," she whispered in my ear. "He was lonely without Pierre, but I begged him to let Pierre come back." Daddy leaned on his crutches as Mommy lifted her head from my shoulders and looked up at him. "I had to be here at midnight, Beau. It's the time-when the door between the two worlds opens just enough for my words to follow the candle smoke through."

Daddy leaned on his crutches and shook his head. "You're driving us all mad now, Ruby. You've got to stop. Come home and go to sleep."

"I couldn't sleep. That's why I came here," she said. "You see that now, don't you, sweetheart?" she asked me.

"Yes, Mommy."