I lifted it again from inside my shirt by its chain.

I’ve never seen Mama look ashen before. As a matter of fact, she looked a little afraid. Not ever have I seen fear in her face, but it was there.

After I finished my story I asked her, “What does this all mean, Mama?” And as I awaited her answer she just looked at me. After a long silence I felt compelled to say, “What’s wrong, Mama? You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.”

And with that, she suddenly released my hands and said, “ I just did, child, I just did.”

Mama stood up very slowly from the table and said, “I’m sorry, Mr. Jim, I’m goin’ to have to lie down. Mama’s real tired right now. Would you mind just locking the door on your way out, and before you go would you put the ‘closed’ sign on the door?”

She stood up and walked into the back where there was a little sitting room, and as she disappeared into the darkened hall I asked, “But what about my dream, Mama?”

In an almost feeble voice she replied, “Not now, child, not now. Mama, she’s got to go rest a bit.”

Leaving the shop and entering the busy street I felt a strange weakness in my legs and an anxiousness in my stomach.

I didn’t know what to make of this, but it couldn’t be good.