After the birthday cake was shared all around and the well-wishers were beginning to say their goodbyes, Maggie and I decided to check in with Mama to thank her for the party. We found her in the back of the hall surrounded by her family. After we had been waiting there a few minutes with the now sound-asleep Layla in my arms, Mama excused herself from her circle of friends and family and came to us to say goodnight. As she approached us she motioned to us to go outside. Standing in a light drizzle, Mama was aglow from the street lamps that surround Jackson Square and I could see concern in her face.

Drawing close to us, she said in a whisper, “That was a close call tonight!”

“Yes, it was!” I said as I handed Layla to Maggie.

“I told you we was goin’ to have to protect this child!” Mama said, still speaking in a hushed tone.

“Yes, I can see what you mean!” Maggie said.