“You know, Mr. Jim, that Layla is a very special baby. Don’t you know, Mr. Jim?”

I noticed my heart beginning to beat a little faster. I could feel my chest getting warm and I felt a little flushed as I said, “What do you mean by special, Mama?”

“You remember when you came over to the flower shop about two years ago and Mama did her card readin’, and Mama told you about Layla comin’ to Mama in my dreams? Do you remember that, child?”

“Yes, Mama, I remember,” I said, “and Maggie’s dreams too.”

“Yes, and her mama Maggie was dreamin’ ‘bout Layla too. Layla was comin’ to visit, yes!”

Sitting the two cups of hot tea down on the table, Mama pulled up a chair. I nervously glanced at my watch, wondering where Maggie was, and before I could say anything Mama said, “Oh, Maggie’s comin’ home a little late tonight. She called me just about an hour ago, said she was in a meetin’. She wanted me to tell you she’d be home a little after six.”

Now my mind was beginning to race a bit. I’d been here before with Mama. It was always something big when she picked these moments to share something with me. I was almost dreading what was coming because I was sure it would challenge me in some way.