CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED and NINETY-TWO
(part six)

“Do you feel your mother?” Camilla asked.

“Um…” Valerie said.

Camila’s head peeked out over Valerie’s legs.

“How do you know your husband loves you?” Camila asked. “I know your husband loves you. I could see it all over him. You?”

“He shows me every day,” Valerie said.

“But what about when you are at work in on a movie and he is here painting?” Camila asked. “What happens when he can’t show you?”

“I just know.”

“So why don’t you ‘just know’ your mother loves you and is around all the time?” Camila asked.

Camila disappeared again. When her head appeared again, her face held the question.

“Why don’t you know your mother is around all the time?” Camila repeated.

“I can’t see her,” Valerie said.

“Bah, seeing is not so important,” Camila said. “You think about it. I’m going to speak with Blane. Are you all right with having him help you?”

“I love Blane,” Valerie said. “I was hoping to help him today.”

“With the blood from the cord,” Camila said. “Yes, we will save more than one life today.”

“More than one life?”

“Your baby will die if she doesn’t enter this world soon,” Camila said. “You think. I’ll be right back.”

Valerie stared at the ceiling for a while then closed her eyes. When she opened them, Celia was leaning over her.

“I am always here, Val,” Celia said. “Why would I be any where else?”

“But…”

“There’s not been a moment of your life that I haven’t been watching,” Celia said. “It’s much easier now.”

“I’m scared,” Valerie said.

“Every woman is scared the first time,” Celia said. “Blane will help. Camila is a God-send.”

“I can’t lose you again,” Valerie wept.

“You’ve never lost me,” Celia smiled.

“Never?”

“Never.”

“Val?” Mike peeked his head in. “Are you ready?”

“You’re sure?” Valerie asked her mother.

“Never.”

“I’m ready,” Valerie said.

“Let’s have a baby,” Camila said. Tanesha moved into the room to help. “Blane?”

Like a fresh wind, Blane followed Mike into the room. Samantha moved to the other side of Valerie. Blane picked up Valerie’s wrist to take her Chinese Medicine pulses.

“Is it okay now?” Delphie asked.

“Delphie!” Valerie held out her hands and Delphie rushed in the room.

“Where’s Dad?” Valerie asked. Blane took her wrist to feel her pulses in his own way.

Sam Lipson stuck his head in the room.

“Hi Daddy!” Valerie waved.

“Men out,” Camila said. “Except Blane.”

Mike kissed Valerie’s cheek and went out of the room.

“We take every thing off. Delphie?” Camila asked. “Samantha?”

With Dephie and Samantha’s help, Valerie undressed. Tanesha set a fleece blanket near Valerie’s head and checked her pillow.

“Blane?” Camila asked.

“I’m ready,” he said.

“You want the husband? Or no?” Camila asked.

“Yes,” Valerie said. “He’s my coach.”

Camila shrugged. She went to the door and called Mike. Very quietly, in Spanish, Camila gave him instructions. He asked a question and she responded. When he nodded, she let him in the room. He went to Val’s side. Tanesha moved behind Camila to assist.

“Let’s have a baby.”

Denver Cereal continues on Monday…

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