Part 30 (1/2)

”I's in charge now,” Big Jim said as he retreated. ”And I'll be whipping any n.i.g.g.e.r what I choose.” He glanced at Lilly, then Mama Rose. ”And the two of you got no say.”

”Mama Rose,” Lilly said, wagging her knife in front of her, ”does you be remembering last spring, when Ma.s.sa McConnell bought him that young bull?”

”I sure enough does, Miss Lilly.” Mama Rose stepped around to Big Jim's side, flas.h.i.+ng her knife as well.

”And you be remembering what Ma.s.sa tells Miss Lilly?”

Mama Rose smiled. ”I sure do. He tells Miss Lilly, *You cut the b.a.l.l.s off'n that young bull, geld him proper like.'”

”And Miss Lilly, she done right for that poor beast-tied them b.a.l.l.s off tight so's they be numb to the knife.” Lilly stepped forward again. ”I ain't tying no b.a.l.l.s today, just cutting.”

”You's crazy, woman.” Big Jim stumbled as he backed away.

”Crazy enough.” Lilly nodded. ”And I'll be cutting all your hanging down things, you ever touch this child again.” She sliced the air with her knife.

Big Jim crabbed backward through the dirt, distancing himself from the two women, then rolled over and regained his feet. ”You's both crazy.” He pointed at Lilly with his whip. ”You's gonna pay for this . . .”

”And you'd best be sleeping with one eye open,” Lilly shouted. ”You hurt this child, you'll wake one morning to find that little thing you likes to play with been hacked off and fed to the hogs.” She wagged her knife.

Big Jim grabbed his crotch and took off across the field.

Lilly motioned to Mama Rose. ”Help me lift this poor child to the wagon.”

_____.

”That baby ain't coming just yet,” Mama Rose said, seated on the far side of the bed. ”Go get you some air.”

Florence nodded. She placed Tempie's hand on her round tummy, giving it a gentle pat. ”I'll be back shortly, child. You rest. Mama Rose is right here, if'n you needs anything.” Tempie looked at her and seemed to force a weak smile.

Florence stepped onto the small porch and gazed skyward. The full moon cast a silver hue over the barnyard. ”Abraham, I don't know where you is tonight, but I's sure needing them strong arms *round me right about now. Our baby, she's trying to birth her own child, and she's in a bad way.” Wrapping her arms around herself, she leaned against the cook shack wall as tears welled in her eyes. She took a deep breath. ”My boy's off to war, where Abraham is only you knows, Lord, and my baby's in there struggling with labor. Lord, you don't never ask Florence to take on no more'n what she can bear, so I knows you'll be finding a way to give your servant the strength she'll be needing to endure all this here pain. Be with my baby, Lord. She's so young . . .”

”Florence,” Mama Rose called out, ”the baby's coming.” Tempie moaned, followed by Mama Rose's soothing murmur.

As Florence hurried into the cabin, Mama Rose moved to the foot of the bed and pushed the covers aside. Tempie lay there, small and scared, her knees raised, tears streaming down her cheeks as she clutched her stomach.

Florence took her station at the head of the bed and held Tempie's hand. ”Mama's right here. Everything's gonna be just fine.”

Tempie tightened in pain.

”Wait,” Mama Rose said. ”Don't be pus.h.i.+ng just yet.” She moved the lantern so it cast light over her shoulder. ”You puff, like what I showed you. Now, child. Puff.”

”Mama, it hurts . . .” Tempie cried out, squeezing Florence's hand.

”I know, baby. I know. It'll be over shortly. Listen to Mama Rose.” Florence wiped Tempie's forehead with a damp cloth.

”Head's showing,” Mama Rose said. ”Next pain, you takes a deep breath and push.”

Tempie tensed, then groaned and pushed. And pushed. And pushed.

Florence studied the worry on Mama Rose's face. Been taking too long. That child had to be worn out. Florence leaned close and looked into Tempie's eyes, forcing a smile. ”You's doing just fine, child. You's doing just fine.”

”Again. Breath deep and push,” Mama Rose said.

Tempie rose up on her elbows as she strained.

”Push again. Push. Push.”

Tempie fell back against the pillow.

Mama Rose shook her head. ”Ain't so good.”

Florence stroked Tempie's forehead. ”It'll be all right, baby. Mama Rose is gonna fix you up.”

”Cord's wrapped,” Mama Rose whispered. ”Stop your pus.h.i.+ng, child.” She worked on the baby, then glanced at Florence and nodded.

”Now, like before. Do like Mama, come on . . .” Florence began blowing short, quick puffs.

”All right, Tempie, give Mama Rose a big push . . .”

Florence supported Tempie as she rose up and strained.

”There's your baby, Tempie, there's your baby boy.” Mama Rose paused, staring at the newborn child; she gave Florence a grim look, then lifted the baby by his ankles and slapped his backside.

Florence cradled her exhausted daughter and stared at the quiet baby, its wet skin a bluish hue.

Mama Rose wiped the baby's face then draped him across her forearm and pounded on his back. ”You breathe, child, you hear me?” She wiped a finger through the baby's mouth, then ma.s.saged his tiny chest. ”Come on, boy, you's gonna make it.” She slapped his bottom once again. The baby hung limp in her hands.

Tempie drifted in and out of sleep, unaware. Florence placed her hand on Mama Rose's shoulder. ”It's the Lord's will, weren't nothing you could do.”

Mama Rose laid the baby in the cradle of Tempie's arm. ”I's sorry, child.”

”M-mama?”

”Sh-h-h. It's all right, child.” Florence held Tempie's face in her hands and leaned close. ”The good Lord knows best.”

”My baby?”

”The Lord, he decided Tempie needed more time before she was a mama. This was his will.”

Tempie looked at Florence. ”I hurts so bad . . .”

”You rest.” Florence patted her hand. ”Everything be all right now. I's right here.”

Tempie sighed and closed her eyes.

Florence wiped her daughter's forehead with a damp cloth, then kissed her on her cheek. ”Sh-h-h. You sleep now, child.”