Push! Olivia said. Gorda pushed as she squatted on the floor trying to make it easy for Olivia to catch the baby. Gorda’s left leg was falling asleep. She was tired from balancing herself against the tub. Finally the baby slipped out like a limoncillo pit out of its shell. Olivia grabbed the baby, poked her pinky nail in her ears, nose and mouth and waited for the baby to scream. And without hesitation the baby opened her eyes, pointing her skinny, long fingers at Olivia. Don’t cut the cord, Gorda said, not yet. This is the only time we will be attached, she said, taking her baby from Olivia’s
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Gorda has her baby at home, with very little preparation but no hesitation. Some items especially reserved for the birth. The meaning of the cord
