Page 63 of The Soul Never Forgets

Dawsey sits up, fluffs his pillow and falls back. “Ready, my love.”

“All right. The date is March 28, 1940.”

Chapter15

Frank Harrison

Pascagoula,Mississippi

March 28, 1940

My hand findsan empty space when I roll over and reach for Gussy. I jolt out of bed and dash into the kitchen to find her cooking breakfast.

“You’re up early.” This is unusual. I’m the early bird. Gussy never wakes up before me.

“I woke up at four and couldn’t go back to sleep.”

Sleep doesn’t come easy for her anymore. The baby has gotten big, and it’s difficult for her to find a position that is comfortable enough to sleep in.

“Do you feel all right?”

“That’s the thing. I feel great.”

“That’s a first in a while.” This pregnancy has made Gussy miserable more days than not.

“I have so much energy this morning. I think I’ll dust the furniture and mop the floors. Maybe catch up on the laundry.”

That sounds a little ambitious. “The doctor said you should be taking it easy because the baby could come any day.”

“I know but I feel good for the first time in weeks. Months, really. And I’m behind on the housework. All of your work clothes need washing. You’re down to your last clean shirt and pants.”

“The clothes can wait until I get home this evening.”

“I’m your wife, and it’s my job to keep your clothes clean. They won’t be dry in time for work tomorrow if I don’t hang them out by midday.”

“I can rewear an outfit if I need to.” Clean clothes are dirty by ten o’clock anyway. No one will know the difference.

“My husband will not wear dirty clothes to work as long as I’m able to breathe.”

“All right, my love. Only wash my clothes if you feel good enough to do it. I don’t want you pushing yourself if you feel like you should be lying down. Promise me.”

“I promise I won’t push myself too hard.”

Gussy places a piping hot cup of coffee and a plate of bacon, scrambled eggs, fried potatoes, and toast on the table in front of me. I usually get something simple like toast and jelly, which I’m happy to get. No complaints here.

“Woo, sweet mama. You must feel really good this morning. You’ve outdone yourself.”

“It’s the strangest thing really. I’ve felt terrible for the last four weeks, and I wake up this morning ready to take on the world.”

“Well, just don’t take on too much of the world. Save some of that energy for when you go into labor.”

Gussy rests her hand on top of her big round stomach. “I think this baby is content to stay in here for another month. Nothing is going to happen today. And when it does, it’s going to take hours and hours for the baby to come. The doctor says to expect at least twelve since this is my first. Maybe as long as a full day.”

I pray it doesn’t take a full day for Gussy to give birth to this baby. I’ll lose my mind with worry.

“You’re extraordinary at everything you do. It won’t take that long for you. I’m certain of it.”

“I’m not extraordinary at everything I do. Have you forgotten so soon the first time I cooked peas and cornbread for you?”

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