“It’s okay, baby. I can hear you hyperventilating. Come over here and lie down next to me.”

“Don’t you need something?” I said.

Laughing gently, she said, “No, baby, it sounds like you’ve got the cavalry on the way.”

I couldn’t lie down. I was just pacing around when I heard a knock on the door and, bolting from the bedroom, I got to the front door and flung it open. There stood Mama Vermillion and Myra.

“Oh, hello, Mr. Jim. Mama’s here and what a fine morning it is to finally meet our little Layla.”

Without saying a word, I followed them into the bedroom.

A flurry of activity ensued and within seconds I could see Mama and Myra take charge. They were all over Maggie, water boiling on the stove, lots of towels, and an easy calm banter between them and laughter between them and Maggie.

All I could do was just stand there.

Fifteen minutes or so later, there was another knock at the door. It was Dr. Henderson and, upon opening the door, he strode confidently in, little black bag and all.

“Where’s our little Maggie?” he said.