Revelation: A time to be mindful of limitations
and acquire the wisdom of patience.
As Suzanne keened on top of her husband’s covered body, Catherine motioned to Sister Angelique to follow her into one of the classrooms.
“Is Millie still here?” she asked the nun. “She could take my daughter and me back to my home.”
“Yes, I think she is resting in the supply room. I gave her a cup of tea to help revive her. Poor dear. She’s really doing a terrific service. I’ll get her now.”
While the Ursuline sister walked swiftly down the hallway in search of Millie, Catherine turned to console Suzanne.
Suzanne looked up at her mother and cried, “Maman! How can I go on? There are so few wounded—why René? And why couldn’t you save him?”
Catherine knelt down by her daughter and put her arm around her.
“Suzanne, René had a very severe wound and had lain on the battlefield for an hour or more before Miguel found him. We should thank God that he lived long enough to see you. It is clear that it was to say au revoir to you and his child that he willed himself to live as long as he did. You must remember that he sacrificed his life to protect us and your child. Now it is your turn to be as courageous as René.”
Suzanne’s sobbing lessened.
Catherine cupped her daughter’s chin in her hands and looked into her eyes. “Sister Angelique is getting Millie to take us back home. Are you having contractions now?”
Suzanne shook her head no, but then she turned and put her head down on her husband’s blanketed chest, clasped his shoulders, and began sobbing again.
Sister Angelique approached them in the hallway with Millie, who looked quite stunned. The nun gave her a quick hug.
“I found her sharing her tea and cookies with one of the Baratarian patients,” announced Sister Angelique, in an effort to be buoyant.
Suzanne looked up, her eyes rimmed red from her grieving.
“Oh, Millie,” she said, “René’s gone!”
Some inner strength appeared to galvanize Millie then, and her whole being seemingly changed, from incredible exhaustion and shock to an astounding vitality. She ran over next to Catherine and took Suzanne’s face in her hands. “Suzanne, my dear friend, I’m so terribly sorry. But”—and Millie’s tone sounded more stern—“your baby is on his way to join us. This is no place for him to be born. So your mother and I are going to get you to her house, where we can take care of you. You know that’s what René would want. And I’m here to help you—always, my good friend. Are you ready?”
Without waiting for an answer, Millie began scooping up Suzanne, and Catherine quickly moved to assist her.
Catherine turned to Scamp, who was uncharacteristically subdued.
“Scamp, I want you to stay here and help Sister Angelique. I think this baby is going to be born within the next few hours. Then Hortense will take care of Suzanne and the baby, and you and I can check on General Jackson. We have a hectic time ahead of us.”
She shook her head and looked at the nun. “If you can take care of . . .” She looked back at the covered corpse.
“Yes, of course, Catherine. God be with you!”