“Oh, that’s nice, that’s just so nice,” Mama said.

“Okay, then this should be real easy for you, Mr. Jim, ‘cause all you got to say now is to ask baby Layla to turn back around,” Mama said with a slight giggle.

“That’s it?” I said.

“Yes, that’s it and maybe you might ask her to hurry up ‘cause I know we are gettin’ close to the day when she’s comin’.
Okay, so tonight when ya’ll are in bed, just light some candles and turn on the pretty music you got picked out for Layla, and just put your hand on your baby and ask her to turn. Tell her why and that we are all waitin’ on her ‘cause we don’t want no hospital birth and no cuttin’ her out of her mama, okay?”

“Okay, Mama,” I said.

I looked over at Maggie and there were tears running down her cheeks. I kissed her and with that Maggie excused herself and left the room. We heard her humming her favorite song, The Prayer of Saint Francis, as she let herself out and closed the front door.