September 15, Sunday

The sun comes up and the kids are all sleeping peacefully. I listen for sounds. A baby crying! That must be what woke me up. I tiptoe into the kitchen and stand quietly at the door to the living room. I can’t hear what the women are saying in the bedroom. The baby stops crying. I hear the front door close. Papai comes in, he must have been walking outside. I step back so he doesn’t see me. Dona Severina walks through the hallway door and speaks softly to him.

“It’s a girl. It was hard on Amara, but she and the baby are both healthy. The sisters will take turns staying and helping her for the next few days.”

“Thank you, Dona Severina.” Papai seems very tired.

“Would you like to see them now?”

“Yes, if she is up to it.”

“Of course, but just a few minutes. She will need to sleep a lot in the next few days, just waking up to give the baby mamar.”

They go through the hallway door and into the bedroom. I hear quiet murmuring and Papai comes out very quickly, holding his forehead. I think he is crying. I want to go to him but I stay hiding in the kitchen.

I go back outside and lie down in the hammock. I can’t sleep but I pretend to, in case Papai comes out to check on us. After an hour or so I get up and go into the kitchen to make breakfast for everyone. It’s good to be busy as the kids wake up, but my thoughts are jumping around. Everyone sits to eat but I’m not hungry.