Mama, glancing at Layla as Maggie sat down on a bench with Layla in her lap, turned to me and said, “Mr. Jim, there are forces in this world that don’t want our Layla to complete her work here. You saw that very thing happen tonight! We turned him back but there will be more like him! You got to understand that Layla is a light that is so bright she will attract the good and the bad in folks. Just be watchful, Mr. Jim. The next time I might not be there to help her and it just could be you or Maggie to watch over her!”

“I know, Mama, I know. I see that now,” I said as I felt the full impact of what Mama was saying.

“She’s going to be a threat as well as a light to a lot of people out there,” Mama said.

“It was amazing how that man tonight went straight to Layla and you, Mama!” Maggie said.

“Yes, I can’t believe how he went from all that crazy and then just burst into tears!” I said.