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She sat back and held my hand.

"I think I passed out from one of the

contractions, Mama. I can't remember how long ago the last one occurred."

She noddedaid looked around, seeing the crushed dollhouse. "You fell on that?"

"Yes, Mama."

"You can't be alone anymore, honey, and I don't want you up here any longer. That woman wants you in her bedroom, now anyway," she added with a smirk. "I don't know what she did to herself, but she had blood on her thigh when I was brought up to see her

"Who was that boy you sent?"

"His name's Henry. He works here. I didn't want Gladys Tate to find out that he knows I'm here, but I was desperate, Mama."

"Let's not worry about what she thinks anymore, honey. I want to bring you downstairs where you'll be more comfortable and things will be easier."

I saw in her eyes that she was more worried than she wanted me to believe.

"Will the baby die, Mama?"

"Babies can be born early and be strong, honey."

"But it's usually the other way, isn't it? It's my fault," I moaned. "I wanted to be out of here so much, I forced the baby to hurry."

"Nonsense," she said.

"It doesn't deserve this. It's not the baby's fault. It didn't ask to be born this way," I wailed.

"Gabriel, stop this right now," Mama commanded. Her face was firm, her eyes blazing with authority. "If you're going to lie there and worry about everything, you'll make it harder and more dangerous for both you and the baby, honey. Trust in God now. It will be what He wants, and we will do what we can. This is not the time to be weak."

I swallowed back my tears and nodded.

"I'm sorry, Mama."

"Okay, honey."

"Where's Daddy?"

"Your father is downstairs with Octavious Tate. He jumped for joy when he heard you might be giving birth."

"Why?"

"Another opportunity to ask for more money. He's been sitting on this like a fat hen on a fat egg, just waiting for the chance to put the squeeze on the man. I don't know who to dislike more for it, your father for his greed or Octavious Tate for what he's done to you. The man deserves to have your father on his back, but your father ain't doing this to get justice for you. I'm sure he's gambled away most of what he took from the Tates and got himself into new debt."

"It just gets worse and worse, Mama. Maybe it was all my fault."

"Nonsense, and don't you even think it," she snapped. "Oui, it's hard, but like any storm, it will come to an end and the sun will shine again for you, Gabriel." She wiped away the strands of hair dampened with my sweat. "Can you stand or should I go get those scoundrels to help carry you down?"

"Let me try first," I said.

"Good girl."

She helped me to my feet.

"Suddenly my stomach feels ten pounds heavier, Mama, and my legs feel like two sticks of lard."

Mama laughed. I breathed easier. With her at my side now, I wasn't afraid..