I Was Done Begging novel · Chapter 8 of 24

Chapter 8: Hold the Baby

On Thursday my mother-in-law sent for me.

The maid came to the pool house door at ten and said Madame was waiting in the morning room, and that I was permitted to come in.

I went with my cane.

The morning room had yellow walls and a long table, and every chair at it was taken.

My mother-in-law sat at the head.

On her left sat a man in a grey suit with a leather portfolio, and a stamp and an ink pad on the cloth in front of him.

He was a notary.

Simone sat on her right with the baby asleep in her arms.

"Sit," my mother-in-law said. "Julien tells me you've been very helpful."

So Julien had told her after all.

I sat.

"You've been to see Everhart." She said the name flatly. "I would have handled it better. But since it's done."

"Yes, Mother."

"Simone."

Simone stood up, smiling softly, and came around the table.

Before I understood what she meant to do, she had put the baby into my arms.

He was warm and heavier than he looked.

He opened his eyes, grey and unfocused, and looked straight at me.

He had Julien's eyes exactly.

Pinned to his blanket was the silver medal I'd given him, shining in the window light.

I had not planned for that.

"Look at him," my mother-in-law said. "He is the only grandchild I will ever have. Everything the Lacombes built will pass to him."

The baby caught the chain of my old medal in one fist, where it hung at my collar, and he held on.

I put my finger into his other hand.

"He's beautiful," I said, and meant it.

"Then sign for him."

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