Monday was a holiday so Maggie and I decided to sleep in. It was one of those foggy, misty overcast days when heavy weather off the Gulf of Mexico drifts up the Mississippi River and eventually envelops New Orleans, always a bit mysterious and a perfect day to reflect over our meeting with Mama Vermillion.

Lying in bed with Maggie in the half light of the new day was one of my favorite things. It was so quiet and I loved to just listen to her sleep. Her rhythmic breathing was soothing to me, and now with Layla coming I could feel her presence too. I’d never been a father before and I was beginning to open to feelings that were hard to express.

Maggie stirred and sleepily and playfully said, “Jimmy, if I look over at you right now please don’t be staring at me.”

Laughing, I said, “How do you always know? You were fast asleep!”

“You’re always forgetting about that eye in the back of my head.” She laughed and as she rolled over she wrapped her arms around my neck and gave me a long kiss.