Excerpt

not hungry, Papa, she said in fragmented speech while pushing away the spoon. feel sick.

Her head spun out of control, and when the dust settled, she was freezing to death on a cot in an open field. Although she could not know it then, the experience was a harbinger of impending terror in her young life as a flock of white figures hovered mysteriously over her. They covered her with a slough of soft feathers, as if to warm her shivering body. A mysterious white light exposed their humanlike heads, and she thought they had to be angels. At the forefront was her papa, who emitted a broad, hypnotic smile that cozily made her drowsy.

She drifted off to wonderland, but her journey was suddenly halted. Before she closed her eyes, his friendly faade changed as he mutated into a huge predatory bird. Fear gripped her when the whole flock of creatures laughed in the face of her adversity, and she tried to get up and run. Unfortunately, the betrayed girl was stuck to the bed like Brer Rabbit to the Tar Baby in the Uncle Remus tale her papa had read to her. Giant claws snatched her up, and she cried out repeatedly for her mama. Their laughing was so loud it drowned out the sound of her voice, so she couldnt hear herself. Relief came the instant her mamas hand brushed her neck, and the horrible raptor dropped her on the bed. She felt as free as Brer Rabbit when he tricked Brer Fox into tossing him in the briar patch.

No wonder she hollerin for me like she crazy, Lola said. Dis gal got a burnin up fever, an her neck all swole up.

Look like she got the mumps on both sides, Sonny said.

Good thang the others done had it already.

All cept Gloria, but I guess she bout gone ketch it nah. Lolas guess became reality when Jake came running in ahead of the others after school.

Mama, Gloria got the mumps, and Lisa got a letter for you from the school.

A lot o small chillun got it, said Lisa. An all o em got a letter for they parents.

I already know what it say, Lola said. Dey cant go back til dey git well.

Im glad I already had it, said Missy.

Lisa wrote as Lola dictated a letter to Minnie, who came the following weekend. Deana longed for her big sister to hug her again as she had done before leaving Gloria to stay in the country. Since then, things had changed. Now, she only had eyes for her little girl when she came, and Deana felt unnoticed. The innocent victim of dysfunctional adult behavior, she was as excited as ever when Minnie sat on the bed.

Hi, Minnie! Her cheerful greeting went ignored as a bubbly Gloria leaped into her moms arms. Minnie kissed her bundle of joy, holding her on her lap while carefully examining her face and neck. Deana coveted their affectionate bond. She wished her mama would coddle her sometimes.

Mama, this gal aint got no mumps. What you did? Minnie asked.

I done had nough practice, said Lola, nonchalant. It was not uncommon for her to suddenly switch gears in the middle of a discussion. You know, I heard Momma callin me dis monin. I know twas her, cause aint nobody else ever called me Lola Mae. What you make o dat?

Mama, you taught me, yoself. The dead dont come back thout takin a po soul wit em. Grammo was bout jes lettin you know she was passin by to git somebody.

Probly Sis Delia. Deke Beau looked sad when I went by de other day. Dat cancer jes bout done et his wife up.

Well, git yo black dress ready, cause if Grammo aint at they house nah, she done been there already an got her.

It was the first time that Deana had heard talk of the dead coming back. At that point, she had no reason to be bothered by it. She thought that Minnie was just the person to interpret her nightmare, but all she remembered was falling from the claws of an apparent hawk the instant she got touched by her mama. She was hesitant, afraid her mama would cut her into shreds for interrupting their discussion with such nonsense. Ultimately, she decided the risk was worth getting any kind of attention from them.

What it mean when you dream bout a monster tryin to git you, Minnie? she asked.

It mean you turn over an take yo skinny tail to sleep, snapped Lola. Dont be gittin in grown folk conversation. Although expected, the reproof was a sharp slap in the mouth, and Minnies spontaneous laughter added insult to injury, causing tears to well up in the childs eyes.

Let em go outside an play, Mama. They well, nah. Minnies suggestion had the power of a healing antidote as Deana turned her hopeful eyes on her mama, whose response was to her liking.

I really wonted to keep em inside til school, Monday, but I guess you right, Lola said. Put yall clothes on an git out o here so I can wash dat pee outa dem sheets.