by Londyn Skye
During his lunch break the following day, Levi could not get his feet to move fast enough to go and see the baby. He entered Maya’s cottage ready to read his daughter one of the many children’s books he had purchased for her.
As soon as Nora saw him walk in, she smiled at the way Levi’s face lit up upon seeing the baby. “Fed and clean and ready to see ’er daddy,” she said, as she handed Levi the baby.
“Thank you, Nora,” Levi said, smiling at the baby. “How’s Maya?” he then asked.
“I gave her the medicine the doctor prescribed, just like you instructed.” Nora shook her head. “She was barely able to swallow it. As usual, she was still babblin’ like she ain’t even speakin’ English.”
“Not a single change then, huh?”
“No sa’, I’m afraid not.”
“Well, thank you anyway.”
“Yessa’,” Nora nodded, stepping out of the cottage to do her chores.
Levi walked directly to Maya’s room when Nora left. He sat down next to her makeshift bed and propped the baby up on his knees. He held Maya’s hand, said a prayer, and then turned his attention back to the baby. “Here we are again,” Levi smiled, looking down at the baby who was staring at him with eyes that Levi now realized were identical to his. “You’re wide awake today, huh?” He smiled and caressed her cheek. “You know this is my favorite part ‘a the day, comin’ in here holdin’ my little Lily. Levi and Lily … Lily and Levi,” he sang. “I like the sound ‘a that. Levi and Lily.” He smiled as the baby continued to stare at him. “You’re lookin’ at me like you’re sick ‘a hearin’ me call you that. Sorry, but I don’t know what else to call ya’ for now. We gotta wait on your mama to wake up and give you a permanent name,” he said, glancing over at Maya as she lay there unconscious sweating out the mysterious bug that had a tight grip on her weakened body.
Still, the baby had yet to blink. She had her mouth partially open, looking as if she was in awe of what she was seeing. “What you lookin’ at with those bright beautiful eyes, little flowa’?” Levi asked when he turned to look back at her. “You’re starin’ at me like you just gotta figure out who this strange man is. Well, I’m sorry to break it to ya’, but this funny lookin’ pale man is your daddy. You’re stuck with me.” Levi laughed at the fact that she had still yet to blink her eyes. He pointed to his ears and his nose, naming each body part. The entire time the baby stayed focused on his every move like a curious kitten. “I done been around a lotta babies, but I ain’t neva’ seen one so bright-eyed and full of wonder at five-days old in all my life. Be lucky to keep one awake long enough to get finished with a feedin’. I can already tell you’re gonna be curious and smart, just like your mama,” he smiled. “It’s okay to blink, little flowa’. I promise you won’t miss much if you do.” On cue, she finally did. Levi laughed at her perfect timing, raised her up and kissed her forehead. He lowered her onto his knees and laughed again when she went right back to staring at him.
He ran his fingers through her tendrils of hair as he gazed at her with just as much awe. “My God, I’m so happy you’re here … and so proud to be your fatha’,” he said in a tender tone, as he started to become emotional. “Afta’ five straight boys, I’s startin’ to think God would neva’ bless me with a little girl, let alone one as beautiful as you. Sometimes, I can’t hardly believe I had anything to do with creatin’ somethin’ so perfect,” he whispered, still running the tips of his fingers gently through her curly hair. “I honestly can’t believe that me and your mama created you at all for that matta’. Let them foolish doctors tell it, you ain’t even s’pposed to be here. But against all odds, here you are, lyin’ in my arms, lookin’ at me with those big bright beautiful eyes.” He kissed her again. “I may not know your name yet, but I’m convinced God wanted you here for a reason. You’re gonna be as special to the world as you are to me … I just know it. I can feel it in my soul.” He held Maya’s hand again. “There’s no way God would bless me and your mama with such a beautiful miracle for nothin’.”
Levi quickly turned his head toward Maya when he felt her squeeze his hand. “Your daddy is right,” she slowly grumbled. She swallowed and took a deep breath before continuing. “You’re our miracle baby,” she added in a raspy tone.
Hearing Maya utter her first coherent words in days caused Levi’s eyes to instantly flood with tears. “Thank you, God,” he whispered, kissing her on the forehead. “Where you been?” he jokingly asked, gazing at her through the tears in his eyes.
“Lord help me, I sho’ don’t know.”
“I don’t know eitha’, but I sho’ am happy you’re back.”
“I come back just in time to see that you done found yo’self a new love,” she whispered, her words still extremely raspy.
“Mm-hmm, now I got myself two beautiful ladies to love,” he replied, looking down at their baby and then back at Maya. “This little one said she misses you.” Levi held the baby up for Maya to get a better look.
Maya instantly started crying. “My God, she’s so beautiful.”
“I miss you holdin’ me mama,” Levi said, playfully speaking on behalf of the baby.
“I wanna hold you so bad too sweetheart, but I just don’t have the strength. Feels like a horse is sittin’ on my chest.”
“Don’t push yourself too hard. I’ll have Nora sit with you and take care ‘a the baby while I ride into town and get the doctor. Maybe there’s somethin’ else he can give ya’ to help you get your strength back.”
“Th-thank you,” she replied weakly.
“Thank you … for comin’ back to me,” Levi replied. He let another kiss linger on her forehead before heading into town.
****
The first Sunday after Maya had awakened, Levi walked up the steps to the stage in his church and stood near the piano. It was within these church walls that his musical talent had been trapped since conceiving Wyatt. Levi took a moment to scan the familiar faces in the church he had attended his whole life. The congregation knew him well … or so they thought. The man they stared back at was actually far more of a mystery to them than the inner workings of his gifted musical mind. Levi briefly glanced in the front row before taking his seat at the piano. His wife and boys were there, including seven-year-old Wyatt, sitting in the spot where his father’s musical mannerisms would become ingrained in his young mind. Levi smiled pridefully at his boys, but the thought circulating through his mind when he looked at his wife was further proof that the man he presented himself to be was a facade. Nobody within those walls would ever have guessed that Levi was currently glaring at his wife wishing that a woman he beheld as a Nubian goddess was sitting there instead. A newborn baby snuggled in the protective arms of her oldest brother would complete the imagery of perfection in Levi’s mysterious mind. He sighed deeply as he stood there; his sorrow was suddenly heavy, knowing the family he envisioned would never take their rightful place in that coveted front row pew.
The facade of Levi’s life would be further evident to the congregation if they knew the true motivation behind the song he was about to play for them. Levi had not jotted down a single note of this particular song. Despite never rehearsing, he was confident that he could play it flawlessly. The song had ignited in his mind and played on a joyous loop since the day he discovered he had conceived a child with Maya. He often hummed the melody to a certain little person while he held her on his chest and rocked her to sleep at night. Every note, every key change, and every dramatic pause was now solidified in his mind … and so was the title. “I call this song…” Levi paused a moment as he thought about the newborn who had inspired it. “A beautiful miracle.”
When Levi sat at the piano bench and closed his eyes, a precious little face with eyes identical to his materialized in his mind. He had to clear his throat before he began, already fighting to choke back tears. Despite his efforts, his prideful emotions slowly began to emerge the moment he struck the keys. The complicated notes flowed effortlessly down to
his fingertips. The slow angelic tune sounded even more magnificent to Levi than he had imagined in his mind. Hearing the sentimental melody for the first time echoing within the church walls further ignited his emotions.
The heavenly sounds caressing Wyatt’s youthful ears began to stir his tears for the first time ever while watching his father play. He sat unblinking in the front row, entranced by the way his father poetically danced and swayed, adding to the sentimentality of the melody. He was simply mesmerized, in much the same way that he would be twenty-five years later by the sister his father now played in honor of. Wyatt was not alone. The entire congregation was hypnotized by the passionate way with which Levi played the highs and lows of the inspirational ballad. They watched intently as he musically painted the beautiful moments that inspired his angelic melody. They, too, became over-emotional seeing Levi’s tears stream past the joyous smile on his face, a smile that gave away the fact that he was witnessing the most glorious visions in his mind.
With a sudden dramatic key change in the melody, Levi’s tears transitioned into that of anguish and the smile faded from his face. Like a waterfall, his tears began to flow onto the piano keys as he thought of the numerous songs he had played that were inspired by Maya, ones he could never bring her to his church to hear. He cried for the fact that there would never be a day when he stood proudly waiting for Maya to walk through the pews and meet him at the altar currently beneath where he sat. He cried knowing that he would never be able to proudly introduce everyone to the precious little miracle Maya had delivered for him either. As he gallantly played, many people in the congregation were sobbing … including little Wyatt. Never had they seen Levi so overcome by emotion during a song. Nor would they ever know that the deluge spilling from his eyes reflected the heartache of accepting that his expressions of love for Maya and his newborn would remain as trapped in his heart as his music was within those church walls.
When he finished the enchanting eight-minute ballad, Levi stood and wiped the tears from his eyes. He walked to the forefront of the stage and bowed to a congregation that was already on its feet, a congregation who felt as though they had indeed just experienced the myriad of magical emotions after witnessing … a Beautiful Miracle.
****
Nora was sitting next to Maya in her bed, both of them staring at the baby. “Thank you for takin’ such good care ‘a her while I’s sick,” Maya told her.
“You’re very welcome!” Nora replied. “I’s happy to.”
“Can’t believe this poor baby done been in this world all this time with no name,” Maya commented, sounding much stronger than when she had first awakened.
“Masa’ Lee been callin’ ’er little Lily all week. He say she just as pale as one … and just as beautiful.”
“He’s got a point! She sho’ is mighty pale,” Maya laughed.
“She’ll get a little more color soon. Just takes time.”
“Lord, I hope so, or I’ll be convinced y’all done gave me the wrong baby!”
Nora laughed. “Naw, she’s most definitely yours,” she said, caressing the baby’s hair. “Beautiful, just like ’er mama.”
“You say Masa’ Lee been in here all week?” Maya asked curiously.
“Every night … all night. Been right here by yo’ side prayin’ for ya’, holdin’ onto that baby like he can’t breathe without ’er. Truth be told, seems to me like he couldn’t breathe without you eitha’.”
Maya kept her eyes on the baby, trying hard to prevent her rising emotions from allowing a smile to creep onto her face. “Well, you can’t blame ’em for worryin’. No masta’ could stand to lose a slave he done paid good money for,” she replied.
“Hmph, now that’s funny, ‘cause I could’ve swore masa’ Lee got you from Emily’s daddy as a gift.”
Maya smiled sheepishly. “Well, free or not, I’m sure he can’t afford to lose a slave,” she replied defiantly, despite knowing she was caught.
“Mm-hmm, that’s the story I promise I’ll pretend to believe.”
Maya continued hiding her smile in silence.
Nora breathed a heavy sigh and ran her hands through the baby’s curls. “Sho’ is amazin’ the beautiful things that love can create,” she added slyly.
“You’re relentless, you know that?” Maya laughed.
“I know,” Nora smiled. “It’s one ‘a my finer qualities.”
Levi stepped into Maya’s cottage, delighted to hear the sound of laughter coming from her room. “Hello ladies,” he greeted. He was still dressed in his church attire.
“Hello masa’ Lee,” Nora replied, standing up to leave them alone. Before departing, she turned back to give Maya a telling glance with a smile and a wink. Maya smiled back sheepishly as she shook her head.
“I’m happy to see that smile on your face,” Levi said, her smile igniting his. “You look like you’re feelin’ much betta’.”
Maya’s smile broadened over how much more handsome he looked clean shaven with his hair cut and styled and dressed in fine attire. “I’m feelin’ stronga’ every day. I don’t know what they put in them drugs, but they sho’ do work wonda’s. I feel like a new woman today, actually.”
“Certainly glad to hear that!” Levi sat down on the bed next to her and put his arm around her. He caressed the baby’s hair as he gazed at her. “You thought of a name for our little one yet?”
“No.” Maya looked at Levi. “But her daddy did.”
Levi looked perplexed.
“Lily,” Maya smiled as she turned her attention back to the baby. “Such a beautiful name for the beautiful little girl you blessed me with.”
Levi’s face lit up with a brilliant smile. “Lily,” he whispered. “Turns out you’re my little flowa’ afta’ all.” He leaned down and gently kissed her forehead.
When Levi looked up, Maya was gazing at him. She then took a hold of his hand. “Thank you for makin’ me a motha’,” she said, her emotions stirring.
“It was my pleasure,” Levi whispered, kissing her tenderly on the forehead as well.
Maya smiled devilishly. “And most certainly mine too!”
Levi laughed as his pride swelled. And so, too, did his heart. Maya’s words gave him complete confidence that her health had finally returned, right along with her sensual sarcasm. He kissed Lily again and then departed, finally feeling at peace that his daughter would now be raised by her loving mother.
Levi walked out of the cottage and was immediately knocked off the happy cloud he was drifting on. His haggard looking wife, Emily, was standing there staring at him with her hands on her thin hips. Just hours out of church and she was already reeking of alcohol, per usual. Emily was only twenty-two, but years of daily alcohol consumption had taken a serious toll on her features. She now easily looked twice her age. Her once supple, taut skin was prematurely sagging and thinning, looking as though it might slough at the slightest touch. Her once lustrous, flowing brown locks were constantly pasted to her face in thick oily strands. The dirty clusters of hair always seemed to be constantly getting trapped in the deep crevices near her mouth that had formed from years of scowling. Years of squinting harshly at Levi had cemented crow’s feet around once lively blue eyes. The mesmerizing color of her eyes was now barely visible through the alcoholic glaze that had formed over them. Those glossy, bloodshot, beady eyes were now pasted on Levi.
Levi was instantly enraged to find Emily standing there. She only ever set foot in the fields when she was ready to stir up trouble. Levi closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose, and let out an exasperated breath, preparing himself for the drunken argument he was convinced his wife was about to incite on the Lord’s day. “What do you want now, Emily?” he asked, annoyance evident in his tone.
“Done seen you headin’ in and outta this cottage three times or more every day for the last week,” Emily spat, her usual scowl firmly in place. She folded her arms across her chest, alcohol lending to her fidgety movements. “I finally got a pe
ek at that baby when I saw Nora walkin’ with it. He sho’ is awfully fair-skinned for a nigga’.” She squinted even harder than usual. “He’s yours, ain’t he?”
Levi should have known that’s what Emily was there to ask. She had accused him of fathering every newborn birthed by a slave on their plantation. His stark denial was always proven true once the children’s features and skin tone were prominent. Emily stood there now expecting him to deny her accusations as usual but that was nowhere near the case. “Yes. She’s mine,” Levi proudly confessed.
Emily scoffed and took a step back, the news seeming to punch her in the gut and quickly sober her. “She?!” Her mouth fell open. “You gave that lowly slave a girl?” she said with the utmost disgust in her tone.
Levi was completely apathetic to his wife’s anger. Her words and the jealousy in her tone only reminded him of how badly she had hoped for a girl. As much as Emily hated him, he knew Lily’s gender was a far bigger offense than the sinful misconduct that had gotten her into the world.
“What the hell you in here takin’ care ‘a that little nigga’ for anyway, huh?!” Emily suddenly erupted.
“Her mama’s sick! It’s my duty and the law to take care ‘a sick slaves residin’ on this farm.”
“Duty, huh?” Emily barked, looking her husband up and down with scathing eyes.
“Yes, nothin’ more!” he lied, trying to diffuse what had the potential to be a far more volatile situation.
