by Heather Cook

Created on: July 08, 2009

I remember that Fourth of July well. Who didn't? It was record temperatures and the whole country was having a heatwave. Meme said it was hotter than hell, and when I innocently asked her how'd she knew how hot hell was she responded with a slap across the face and a stern reminder not to swear and don't I ever, if I valued my life, take the Lord's name in vain. Meme always ended everything with a "Praise Jesus" and a reminder to all, not to take the Lord's name in vain. She was my mother's mother and was staying with us in our small house, right on the Bayou. My mother was expecting and carrying big. People were saying that she was going to have twins and wasn't it a shame that she couldn't even take care of the others? And then they tisked and suck their teeth and look at me with them pitiful eyes. Well, I would stare right back 'til they looked away and then start thinking. I thought a lot that year. About, momma, and Meme, myself. I thought about God and how He'd done nothing for me, but how I thanked Him every night. I was full of thoughts, and that was what I was doing when Meme brought me out of my thoughts.

"Rinda, you come here. Right now.".

I jumped up and hurried, so not to have to endure being pinched or slapped for me being idle. Meme hated idlers and taught me right quick that she wasn't having any of that "devilish sin". I ran into our house. It was sweltering inside. It was so hot that we couldn't even touch the counter top and in case we forgot how hot it is, our metal chairs would quickly remind the back of our legs. But, still, I ran.

"Rinda, you hurry up now I said"

I bolted up the stairs and into Momma's room. Momma was lying on her bed, breathing hard. Her knuckles were clenched so tightly that they turned white on her dark brown skin. I looked at her and then at Meme.

"The babies are comin'. You will wait outside 'til I call you, understood?"

I nodded my head and turned around to leave the room. I paused outside the door for a minute and then ran downstairs and through our open door. I walked down to the mucky part of the water and started to throw pieces of grass in the water. I kept my eye out for the snakes and alligators, but I haven't seen a gator in awhile so I wasn't really too worried. It was getting later and the sky turn that beautiful purple-black that I loved. I heard Meme yellin' at my mother and momma yellin' back. I turned back and watched the sky turned to

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