My head was spinning and as she shuffled me out the front door, I said, “What do I owe you Mama?”

“Oh, it’s a gift, child. Don’t you worry about it. It’s a gift.”

She gently closed the door behind me and as I walked away into the darkening street I could hear her singing what sounded like a lullaby.

Our apartment was just a few blocks away. I couldn’t wait to tell Maggie what had just happened.

Bounding up the stairs, I could smell dinner, and strangely I felt different, not as anxious, and happier, lighter.

Stealthily unlocking the door and hoping to surprise Maggie, I quietly let myself in.

“Hi, honey, I’m in the kitchen,” Maggie cheerfully said.

Nothing gets past Maggie, nothing at all.