Maude

by Donna Foley Mabry

pies, and watched how Mom

pick out the fabric for my wedding dress and I chose a light blue with no pattern to it. As we were having it cut from the bolt, Helen picked up

there.” He worked at it and

bath.” James kissed me on the cheek and kissed his daughter on her fuzzy head.

asked. “I don’t have to hobble him. He always stays within forty or fifty feet of me. I brought him into the world. I raised him as much as his mother did. When he was only a few hours old I started handling him and brushing him every day. I put a halter on

hadn’t begun to rise. The sky was so dark it was

few small buildings. One, I recognized as the

her new grandmother elaborated

get up out of a chair, and I

the faintest idea how to get them.”

up the stall and parked the car in the area that

few miles back. Stay with the car. I’ll be back as soon as I can.” He picked up the wheel, crossed the

Maude.” I told Betty Sue and Paul to sit still, and

prayer that night, I thanked God for the barn and

talking, Bessie showed me the room George and

and Betty Sue and the other boys. Amen.”

helping out. That won’t work here.” I knew she was right, and I was grateful she

time job to see after them, even if Freda, the oldest after

wondered how many mothers

a checkerboard, and a bed. He was sound asleep, snoring. I shook his shoulder. “Wake up, George. I want you to go find Ellis for

to her, wide awake. I hadn’t been worrying about the baby when I asked Betty Sue to