Chapter 39

Alexandria

As we approached, I saw Jane pacing nervously outside Momma’s door.

“What happened?” I asked, rushing ahead of Suzanna.

Jane’s dark eyes overflowed with tears, leaving her cheeks damp. “Oh, Miss Alex, she was talking. She was good…so good.” She reached for my hands. “And then she got upset. She wanted to talk to you. I didn’t know you was coming. She pulled at her IVs. Alarms and lights. They all came running in… They gave her more medicine.”

“She was talking?”

Jane nodded. “Yes. I told her you were here. She thought she’d dreamed you.” A hint of a smile blossomed behind her sadness. “I told her that you was real. You are.”

“What’s this all about?” Suzanna asked, coming up to us.

Jane stood taller and wiped her cheeks.

“Momma was awake and talking,” I explained.

“And you’re upset? Why? Why aren’t we in there? What did she say?”

Jane turned toward her. “She asked questions.”

“What questions?”

“She asked who visited her.”