Vera's due date hadn't arrived yet, but I could tell she was going into early labor.
Over Mrs. Head's objections, I got Vera into the car and headed for the hospital.
"She's not even due! You're dragging her to a hospital crawling with germs. What are you playing at?"
"Vera, sweetie, listen to Mama. Wait until your due date, okay?"
I dropped the obedient act. "No. She needs to be at the hospital now."
Mrs. Head was even more stubborn than I was. She grabbed my arm.
"Absolutely not. Hospitals are breeding grounds for bacteria. If my grandchild catches something, that's on you."
I shook her hand off and got Vera into the car by force.
Vera glanced at me with gratitude in her eyes.
I said, "Don't thank me."
"Women shouldn't make things harder for other women."
Halfway to the hospital, Maxwell blocked the road.
The look he gave me could have peeled skin from bone.
"Sharon, what the hell are you up to?"
"Trying to hurt my son?"
He parked his car sideways across the road, and within seconds a crowd gathered. Hundreds of people closed in around us.