him not to,” Lula said. “He gave me his word as long as I would let him know how I was doing and if I needed any kind of help.”
“You are staying with me,” Marilyn begged her, and Lula looked down at her stomach and patted it.
“As long as Handy doesn't mind my baby!”
Marilyn replied “Lula, that’s a stupid name for a girl.”
Lula said, “Handy is too far along for me to go anywhere else.”
Marilyn took Lula by the hand as she led her into her spare bedroom right next to her room. Entering the kitchen Marilyn sat down in the chair, bewildered and happy at the same time. Then she thought about Mama and how happy she would be when they would finally see each other again. It was late that night when Marilyn finally dozed off to sleep. Before going to bed she checked on Lula and softly called out her name before knocking. Lula was sleeping soundly as she opened the bedroom door and saw Lula comfortable and serene with the covers pulled up to her breasts. Tucking the covers around her, she watched Lula sternly for a minute and Lula turned over in her sound sleep.
Mama rejoiced when she laid eyes upon Lula, just as Marilyn did; she stood there gazing into Lula’s soul as if their eyes could talk. The tears fell from both of them as she hugged Lula and wouldn't let go. They stood hugging each other as if their arms also knew when words couldn't come out. Marilyn could still hear her Mama’s voice just praising and saying, “Thank you Lord,” and Lula held on to Mama for dear life.
Although Mama saw that Lula was pregnant, she didn't ask any questions. One Sunday after church they were all having dinner, when Lula rose up with the help of the kitchen chair and walked over to the sink and began to wash the dinner dishes. Looking up to the ceiling Mama said, “Lord whose child is this? Who is this child washing her mama's dishes without me beating her?” and all three of them laughed so much they couldn't stop.
“Do you know if the baby is a girl or boy?” Mama asked in amusement.
“Mama, it's a girl and her name is Handy.”
“That’s a stupid name for a girl,” Lula laughed.
“Yea Mama,” and she yawned.
“She will be a blessing,” as her mama cut in, “And, Lula, she said, I'm praying she gives you as much trouble as you gave your old mama.” All of three of them burst out laughing and Lula protested by shaking her head in disagreement - she will NOT be as bad as her mother! Before Marilyn could question her about that statement, Lula abruptly changed the subject.
CHAPTER THREE
Little Sally Waters, sitting in a saucer
Rise Sally rise, Wipe your weeping eyes.
Put your hand on your hip let your backbone
Shift, shake it to the East, Shake it to the West
Shake to the one who love you best
A few months later on a very cold Valentine's day in Milwaukee, Handy was born. Just like white folks, they tried to be prepared in case the baby arrived early. Everyone was on alert; Mama told Mr. Willis to check on Lula each day in case she went into labor. Mr. Willis would say, “Blue please, I don't know nothing about no labor! What do I do if she starts hurting?”
Mama replied, “Call 911, call me at work and then call Marilyn at the college. Just do what I asked you,” and Mr. Willis got into his car.
“Where are we going” and she began looking at the side of his head.
“You old fool! Take me to work and drop off Marilyn at school.”
That February, the snow was up to your knees. The weatherman on the television said he hadn't seen weather like this in 50 years. Immediately after that comment, Lula began groaning and then hollering. There was nothing moving but Handy as she went into labor.
At that point all their planning went out the window. Mama was calm as she called Mr. Willis and told him that Lula was in labor. He immediately he told her he would meet them at Froedtert Hospital. Mama then called 911 and the ambulance said they were on their way, which was a good thing as Lula’s contractions were every few seconds.
Shortly after Handy was born, Lula's attitude took a drastic turn. Lula didn't want to even look at her baby. Mama's instinct took over, as she grabbed that big, beautiful baby and laid her in Lula's arms, only for Handy to snuggle close to her as if she knew who her mother was. She weighed ten pounds and five ounces and was long. Marilyn said to her, “I’d hate to see how tall the father is,” and Lula snapped back, “You won't get that chance.”
God always tried to help to put things in order before he takes people away. Just as suddenly as Lula reappeared, Marilyn and Lula watched the Lord call their mother home. Mama's doctor let them in on their mama's secret: She had stomach cancer for a very long time. Marilyn was disoriented by this news; how hadn't she noticed anything? Mama’s doctor said there were signs, but she just didn't want to worry you. Marilyn asked the doctor how long she had been sick, but suddenly she heard herself screaming at the doctor while they were standing in the emergency room. “I am sorry,” the doctor said, as he walked away. Lula, holding Handy, stood motionless and crying. Then suddenly Marilyn began to slowly sink down to the floor in the emergency room.
Marilyn didn't realize how much Mr. Willis cared about Mama, because he never showed emotion around them. At Mama’s funeral it didn't matter anymore; Mr. Willis let out a heavy moan that shook his whole body. As the undertaker went to lead him up to the casket, Mr. Willis dropped his arm from around Lula and folded his hands in his lap and cried out loud. Lula handed the baby to Marilyn and put her arm around Mr. Willis, patting his shoulder in sadness. The room was crowded and even more so in the choir. Neither Lula nor Marilyn had realized the huge role Mama had played in so many lives. After everyone had the chance to pay their respects to Mama, Marilyn and Lula stood up hand in hand walked over to the casket. They both took turns bending down for the last time to kiss Mama’s cheeks to say their final goodbyes.
Aunt Helen and Aunt Mary Jean from Nashville stood right behind both Marilyn and Lula as they stood stared at Mama. The aunts quickly took each one by their hands and led them away as the undertaker closed the casket on their mother life. They all held on in silence as they walked silently behind the casket. The Pastor began praying as they followed behind him to the outside. Aunt Helen nor Aunt Mary Jean asked Lula why she didn't come to live with them. The aunts took some of their sister's personal belongings back with them as they headed back to Nashville by train.
Time can bring shame to all of us when we are not expecting it, and Marilyn didn't see any of this coming. At first Lula admitted that she didn't know who Handy's father was. Then, out of the blue Lula began confessing to Marilyn about Handy's father. Marilyn watched her pause for a moment like she was trying to catch her breath as she began to talk about Handy's father to her. Marilyn reminded her that she didn't have the right know anything about Handy's father. “Marilyn, just let me get this out while I can,” as she went on.
“Mae,” Lula started as she held her breath, “I have HIV and I have had it for a while now. It doesn't matter how it happened or who gave it to me, it's not going away. Pointing to a black bag of pills, she said, “I have been taking these for a while now, and this is what keeping me alive. There is no cure, and I'm just glad that Handy was cleared and will be able to live a productive life.
“What about the people at the hospital who cared for you?” Marilyn said. “Isn't it against the law not to tell anyone.
“The doctors and the nurses were aware that I was in the incubator stage and I wasn't a threat to them. As time goes by, the pills seem as if they are working.”
“What about Handy, what will happen to her?” Marilyn looked at her with anger and said, “I'm going on into my third year in college; what about my life?”
Lula said sadly, “I'm sorry Mae,” and broke down in tears. Marilyn went over to Lula and hugged her.
“It's going to be alright,”