Если я останусь

           WhenTeddyslidout,hewasheadup,facingtheceiling,sothatthefirstthinghesawwasme.Hedidn’tcomeoutsquallinglikeyouseeonTV.Hewasjustquiet.Hiseyeswereopen,staringstraightatme.Heheldmygazeasthemidwifesuctionedouthisnose."It’saboy,"sheshouted.

           ThemidwifeputTeddyonMom’sbelly."Doyouwanttocutthecord?"sheaskedDad.Dadwavedhishandsno,tooovercomeornauseoustospeak.

           "I’lldoit,"Ioffered.

           Themidwifeheldthecordtautandtoldmewheretocut.Teddylaystill,hisgrayeyeswideopen,stillstaringatme.

           MomalwayssaidthatitwasbecauseTeddysawmefirst,andbecauseIcuthiscord,thatsomewheredeepdownhethoughtIwashismother."It’slikethosegoslings,"Momjoked."Imprintingonazoologist,notthemamagoose,becausehewasthefirstonetheysawwhentheyhatched."

           Sheexaggerated.Teddydidn’treallythinkIwashismother,buttherewerecertainthingsthatonlyIcoulddoforhim.Whenhewasababyandgoingthroughhisnightlyfussyperiod,he’donlycalmdownafterIplayedhimalullabyonmycello.WhenhestartedgettingintoHarryPotter,onlyIwasallowedtoreadachaptertohimeverynight.Andwhenhe’dskinakneeorbumphishead,ifIwasaroundhewouldnotstopcryinguntilIbestowedamagickissontheinjury,afterwhichhe’dmiraculouslyrecover.

           Iknowthatallthemagickissesintheworldprobablycouldn’thavehelpedhimtoday.ButIwoulddoanythingtohavebeenabletogivehimone.