I could feel Maggie’s disappointment and I have to admit I was disappointed too, but I was also feeling I’d been granted a reprieve. I would never say this to Maggie, of course, but the home birth was a big leap of faith for me and I still wasn’t sure if I could handle it. Even with all that had happened with Mama Vermillion and all the woo woo, I was still secretly feeling guilty and relieved that the birth was going to be done by a real doctor.

Relieved for a few seconds at least, until Maggie said, “Let’s go home, Jim. I need to talk with Mama!”

Knowing better than to say anything, I just nodded my head. But under my breath I said, “Here we go again.”

Our taxi ride home was much less eventful and, as I paid the cabdriver and he sped away, I said, “Why don’t we get you comfortable upstairs and I’ll go pick up something to eat at the market? You look really tired, Maggie. It’s been a long day.”