Walking in the door, I was a little taken off guard by Mama sitting there holding Layla, who was fast asleep in Mama’s arms, and there was a peace in the room that I was feeling more and more when Mama came around.

In a whisper, I said, “Hey, Mama, I didn’t expect to see you here today.”

Mama smiled and said, “Oh, I been here all day with this little angel and I’m glad you came home first, Mr. Jim, ‘cause I’ve got somethin’ to say to you.”

I followed Mama as she put Layla down in the baby’s room, and then Mama took my hand and said, “Let’s go to the kitchen and make a little hot tea.”

We silently walked, holding hands, into the kitchen. I could feel something was up because in all the time I’d known Mama, I could not remember her ever holding my hand.

“Sit down, child. Mama has some news for you,” Mama said as she moved into the kitchen to start the tea. I sat at the kitchen table, which was at the open end of the kitchen. It was by a little window that looked out over the magnolia trees that surrounded our second-story apartment. I loved that from every window we could see trees—it was like living in a tree house. I could hear birds singing and, with the soft gulf breeze gently lifting the curtains, there was magic in the air.