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I heard the sound of footsteps on the stairway and turned to see Thelht behind her

"What's happening, Mrs Logan?"

I just nodded at Belinda

"Oh dear, she's having it!" Thelma cried and rushed to the bed

In the end it was Thelma and not the midho delivered Belinda's child

A girl

Ironically, although she wasn't hter Samuel had wanted

Belinda had no interest in her own baby after the birth She didn't offer a single suggestion for a nairl to name after his mother, Haille, who named Belinda's child

The night Haille was born, I sat in my den and called Nelson at home His maid answered the phone and then he came on, his voice subdued

"She had a girl," I said "We're calling her Haille after Samuel's mother"

"The baby is all right?"

"As far as we can see, yes," I said

"And Belinda?"

"She's not all right She'll never be all right," I reminded him

"Do you need anything?" he asked, his voice testy, reluctant