Mama laid her hands on my belly and told me to count my breath. A breath to the count of four. Held to the count of four. Released to the count of four. Held again to the count of four. I could feel my heart beating through my belly into her hands. Some days there would be laughter, some days tears, but on this day there was nothing but silence. It was one of Daddy’s bad days, and on Daddy’s...
