Chapter 21: Steps

Four camera crews were still on the courthouse steps, because the appeal was the story of the week.

They swung around as one when I stopped walking.

"Mrs. Whitlow!" a reporter called. "Cora! Is it the baby?"

"It's the baby," I said.

"Any comment for the viewers?"

I put one hand on the rail and the other on Marshall's sleeve.

"Great," I said. "Smile for the cameras. I'm having a baby, and I need a car."

Somebody laughed, and somebody else dropped a microphone, and the crews parted to let us through.

Marshall's car was in the loading zone.

He had me in the passenger seat before I'd finished my sentence.

Cadence and Lacey were still arguing about who sat in the back.

"I'll drive," Lacey said.

"You will not," said Cadence. "You cry when you merge."

"I do not."

"Both of you," I said, through my teeth, "shut up."

They did.

Miami Valley Hospital had a wheelchair at the door, which I refused, and a nurse who put me in it anyway.

The next eleven hours were the longest of my life.

I will not tell all of them.

Marshall held my right hand and Cadence held my left.

Lacey stood at the foot of the bed with a cold washcloth and a very frightened face.

I will tell you that around hour six I said I would not do it.