Excerpt from Fortunate Son by Walter Mosley, plus links to reviews, author biography & more

The whole time in the car and while they stood in the hall talking to the old man (whose name was Terry Barker), Eric screamed deafeningly. Nothing that Ahn or Minas did or said could stop him.

Terry told them that Branwyn lived on the fifth floor, but the elevator didn’t work.

They scaled the stairs and made it to 5G. The door came open before they knocked. Branwyn was standing there, beautiful with babe in arms.

“I heard Eric from out on the street," she said. “I would have come down to meet you, but I didn’t want to jostle little Tommy."

Thomas Beerman was small and still in his mother’s arms. He moved his head only to keep an eye on her face. His hands were holding tight to her thumb and forefinger.

Eric stopped crying when Branwyn appeared.

“Can we come in?" Minas asked, relieved at the silence Branwyn brought into his life.

 
MINAS NOLAN CHECKED baby Thomas for signs of disease or decay.

“His breath is a little labored," Minas announced. “It would probably be best to put him in an oxygen tent for part of each day."

“I don’t have no oxygen tent," Branwyn said.

She was sitting on the bed with both boys. Thomas was in her lap, while Eric nestled up against her thigh. At one point Eric raised his head and looked at Tommy. He brought his hand down with some force against the recently liberated baby’s head. Thomas didn’t cry but merely frowned at the pain.

Branwyn grabbed the offending forearm and said, “Eric Nolan, you are welcome in my house but only if you are kind to my son, Tommy. Do you understand me?"

Eric’s face twisted into agony. He was about to let out a scream.

“I don’t want any’a that yellin’ in my house," Branwyn said, and Eric’s expression changed into wonder.

“I had an oxygen tent brought over to my place for Joanne when she had pneumonia last year," Minas said. “Why don’t you come and stay with us until young Thomas here has built up his strength?"

Branwyn thought about saying no, but Tommy needed a doctor and it was plain to see that Eric needed a mom.

Copyright © 2006 by Walter Mosley