First there was this silent and serene child thing on the changing table, and then on the way into the dining room there was the cooing and face-patting nose-pinching giggling thing, and then the big surprise came as I stood next to Mama and tried to hand Layla over to her. Typically Layla leapt out of my arms for Mama, but tonight Layla wouldn’t go, and when I tried to hand her to Mama she actually threw a fit.

Looking at Mama Vermillion in total disbelief, I said, “I’m sorry, Mama, I don’t know what’s gotten into her.”

Mama smiled and said, “Oh, Mr. Jim, I know you’re still not believin’ it yet, but you got on the medallion now, child. You’ll see, we just gettin’ started now, you’ll see.”

I looked back down at Layla who was totally ignoring Mama Vermillion, and I almost dropped her when she started cooing and doing the happy baby talk while patting at the medallion under my shirt. Mama laughed and I just stood there slack-jawed. But now, hearing the jingle of keys unlocking the front door, I turned to see Maggie burst into the room.