Stay Away From That Baby
As story about Pearl Townes Felder and Jacqueline Townes McGee
As told by George W. Townes
When I was about 8 years old, Momma was "sick" and Daddy had to take her to the doctor. Pearl called a family meeting with us kids around her cotton sack. She told us that Momma was pregnant and getting ready to have a baby. I didn't understand what was going on but I knew if Pearl said it, it had to be true because she knew everything.
Pearl told us that Sammy was our baby and we weren't having anything to do with "that baby" because Momma promised she wasn't having anymore babies. That night, Daddy told us Momma had us a little baby sister. Her name was Jacqueline and she and Momma would be coming home soon. Pearl reminded all of us that we better stay away from "that baby!" When Momma came home with Jackie, we wouldn't even look at her. Pearl had co-opted our minds!
They say Momma could always con me into doing whatever she wanted. After a few days, Momma talked me into looking at Jackie and singing to her. She let me hold her too. One by one the others wanted to see Jackie and hold her. That is everyone but Pearl. She didn't go near Jackie for at least two months. However, when Pearl finally looked at Jackie, no one was allowed to hold her any more but Pearl. From that point, she became Jackie's mother. And since then, she has always supported Jackie. So much so that when Pearl got married, she always sent for Jackie during cotton season so that Jackie wouldn't have to pick cotton like the rest of us. But over the years, Pearl has been there for all of us.
Pearl told us that Sammy was our baby and we weren't having anything to do with "that baby" because Momma promised she wasn't having anymore babies. That night, Daddy told us Momma had us a little baby sister. Her name was Jacqueline and she and Momma would be coming home soon. Pearl reminded all of us that we better stay away from "that baby!" When Momma came home with Jackie, we wouldn't even look at her. Pearl had co-opted our minds!
They say Momma could always con me into doing whatever she wanted. After a few days, Momma talked me into looking at Jackie and singing to her. She let me hold her too. One by one the others wanted to see Jackie and hold her. That is everyone but Pearl. She didn't go near Jackie for at least two months. However, when Pearl finally looked at Jackie, no one was allowed to hold her any more but Pearl. From that point, she became Jackie's mother. And since then, she has always supported Jackie. So much so that when Pearl got married, she always sent for Jackie during cotton season so that Jackie wouldn't have to pick cotton like the rest of us. But over the years, Pearl has been there for all of us.
