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The nanny was a small Asian woman (later, Branwyn
would find out that Ahn was from Vietnam) who seemed too small even to
lift the child tyrantEric. But she hefted the thirty-five-pound infant
from his crib and stuffed the rubber nipple of the plastic bottle into
his mouth.
Hes so big," Branwyn marveled. Twice the size of
Thomas. And his eyes so blue. I never seen anything like it."
Eric, nestled in the tiny nannys arms, suckled the
bottle noisily while staring with wonder into Branwyns eyes.
He like you," Ahn said with a nod and a smile.
Branwyn tried to figure out how old the woman was.
She couldnt tell by the weathered face or the tiny features. She smiled
at the woman and held out her arms, taking the behemoth baby to her
breast.
Eric dropped his bottle and stared open-mouthed at
the woman holding him. He made a soft one-syllable sound and put his
hands on her face.
Ga," he said.
Ga," Branwyn replied with a smile.
Suddenly Eric started crying, hollering.
You stop that crying right now, Eric Nolan," Branwyn
said in a stern but loving voice.
Abruptly baby Eric stopped, surprise infusing his
beautiful, brutal face.
Ahn smiled and hummed.
Thats the first time hes ever obeyed anybody,"
Minas said softly so as not to break the spell. Usually when he cries,
theres no stopping him."
Thats because Eric and I understand each other.
Dont we, boy?"
Eric laughed and reached out for Branwyns face like
a man come in from the cold, holding his hands up to a fire.
Ahn made breakfast while Branwyn, Eric, and Minas
went to the drawing room on the first floor. There they sat on the divan
that faced a picture window looking out on the Nolans exquisite flower
garden.
Its so beautiful, Doctor," Branwyn said while
bouncing the baby on her lap. You have more flowers than the florist I
work for."
My wife loved flowers."
So do I."
Minas was looking at his sons white body beaming
against Branwyns dark-blue dress and darker-still skin.
Dont you think that you should call me Minas or
honey or something like that?"
Branwyn laughed and so did Eric.
Then a deep sadness invaded the womans face.
Did I say something wrong?" Minas asked her.
I shouldnt be happy like this when my baby cant
even be comforted by my arms."
Minas opened his mouth to say something, but again he
could not find the words.
Eric opened his mouth too, and Ahnwho had just
entered the room carrying a platter of sliced fruit, cheese, and
breadhad the distinct feeling that the baby could have spoken if he
wanted to. But Eric just stared at the black woman with the intensity of
a much older child.
I have to go to the hospital . . . , Minas."
Ill drive you," the handsome doctor said.
ON THE RIDE, the doctor said again that Thomas
would never get better as long as he was in that bubble.
He needs his mothers arms and the sun," Minas told
her.
Thats what I told Dr. Settler, but he said that
with Tommys lung like it is hes liable to get an infection and die if
they let him out."
He wont grow in there," Minas said, and he wont
get better."
But what will happen if I take him out?"
Hell be your baby in your arms."
Copyright © 2006 by Walter Mosley
In war there are no unwounded soldiers
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