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Dr. Fisher, I have a fresh pitcher of water and clean rags ready.”
    Emma Rae pinched her face up and tried to talk between her labored breaths. “No, Mother…I want…Ruby with me.”
    I went to her side with one of the clean rags, dipped it in the pitcher on the bedside table, and gently wiped the sweat from her brow. “Don’t worry. I’m right here.”
    Dr. Fisher’s deep voice carried authority with it. “I’ll be needing Miss Ruby. Why don’t you take the child down to his father?”
    I could practically feel Mrs. Calhoun’s icy stare on my back. She called to Abner, and I heard the door close behind me. I smiled down at Emma Rae while Dr. Fisher did a quick exam. She gripped my left hand, while I continued to dab at her forehead with my right. “Just take deep breaths. You can do this.”
    She pushed out a string of hard breaths. Then during a short break in the pain, she said, “Will you pray?”
    So I called down blessings on her and that little baby. I asked for their protection, for a quick and uneventful delivery. And then I held onto her as she pushed with all her might.
    By the time Emma Rae lay sleeping with another baby boy in her arms, the sun was well above the horizon and streaming into the bedroom like it couldn’t wait to greet such a precious creature. I washed up and told Dr. Fisher I’d be sticking around the rest of the day to help Emma Rae and her mother. So he packed away all his supplies and headed back into town.
    Since Emma Rae and the baby were asleep, and the men had returned to the fields, I took the opportunity for a quiet walk around the property to give thanks for my answered prayers. Heading across the grass toward the barn, my mind full of thanks and praise, I could hardly contain my joy at my new little nephew. I began singing ‘All Hail the Pow’r of Jesus’s Name,’ lifting my hands as I walked.
    As I rounded the side of the barn, I saw James and Mr. Calhoun standing with another man talking, so I quit singing. I was about to turn and head the other direction, when James shifted to one side, and I got a clear view of the third man with them. It was Chester Calhoun.
    Before I could catch myself I gasped, but none of them seemed to have heard me. They just kept right on talking while I stood frozen. Fear snatched all my reason away, and I couldn’t think of what to do. If I ran, he’d see me. If I stood still, he’d see me. What if he came after me again? My insides went cold, and goosebumps spread over my whole body. I could hear his voice in my head, dripping with venom. Look at you. Treating them Negroes like they’s equal to you. Like you don’t know no better.
    I had to move. I took one step backward, as slowly as I could. Then another one. I couldn’t turn around ’cause I was sure as soon as I did, he’d be on me, kicking me and beating me over the head. So I took two more steps backward. Then two more. Finally, I was around the corner of the barn, and I let out my breath. I leaned against the side of the barn, bent over, and heaved like I’d just run a mile. My heart beat so loud in my ears I couldn’t hardly think.
    Lord, please help me, I prayed. I can’t move. Help me.
    The Holy Spirit moved through me, and my fear quieted enough for my reason to return. I slowed my breathing, and I stilled the voice in my mind screaming for me to run. When everything was finally quiet, I prayed again, asking God what to do.
    As clear as day, I heard a whisper in the breeze. Samuel.
    Samuel was on that farm somewhere. And I had to find him immediately. I took off running around the other side of the barn and toward the cotton field on the far west side of the property. Only the colored workers were supposed to go in those fields, especially when Chester had been running things. But I’d have to take a chance.
    I reached the field in a couple of minutes and searched all over for the familiar caramel-colored skin that stood out among the rest. I had to force my mind