Chapter 4
Recovering from the jolt, both Wade and Darnell headed straight to Winnie’s bed. She sat up, clutching her Raggedy Ann doll, eyes wide and mouth as well, ready to cry out again. Then her mouth snapped shut, but in an instant, the lower lip protruded, trembling.
“I want Mama.”
“She’s gone, sugar. You know that. She’s…”
“No! I want Jesus to send her back.” She glowered at her father for a few seconds. Then her gaze turned to Darnell. “Cousin Nell, can you tell him? Tell Jesus to send Mama back?”
It was pitiful but also almost laughable. What should he say? “We don’t tell Jesus,” Darnell said. “We can ask, but I don’t think it’s possible for her to come back. I wish she could, Winnie, but that’s not how it works. We just have to be brave and strong and go on.”
She released one
