Don Chan paused for so long, Hush wondered if he had fallen asleep with his eyes open. His breath sounded funny. She was tempted to check his pulse. He hated being fussed over, so she pretended not to worry.

Finally, he said, —Bodies don’t lie. Our minds can mess with us, but the body provides an ancestral knowledge. That’s the real purpose of the umbilical cord. Everything you do, the body remembers it and passes it on.

Hush looked around her for a piece of paper so she could write everything down. Maybe these were his last words and he was excavating wisdom from long ago. What if she forgot? Belly button, connection to mother, the purpose of the cord is the connection to her ancestors.

Don Chan tightened his grip on her hands. He cleared his throat. He looked at Hush with such intensity, she got goose bumps.

—It’s important you know this.

—I’m listening. Hush straightened herself. His voice was low and weary.

—Men have made such a mess of things. Man thinks his dick is enough. He cuts his mother’s cord and shoots off with the other, Don Chan said, letting go of her hand. Lacing his fingers, putting his head down. His palms holding his forehead.

—It’s up to you women to help men remember what history has taught us. You understand?

—Sí, Hush said. But she didn’t. She just knew that men couldn’t have children and their belly button didn’t feed anyone. Men only get fed by their mothers. That is why they make so many mistakes. They forget to tap into their belly buttons for advice.

—If you dig deep inside yourself, you’ll know more than any book could ever tell. You know the history of the emotions and the spirit. Don’t let anyone make you think different. If you learn anything from me, learn this…

Hush waited for the one piece of knowledge that could change her life. That would help her make sense of things. She was waiting to find out more about this inner power that she possessed as a woman. She looked over at more headlines.

PANEL DIVIDED ON POLICING OF SWEATSHOPS

MONEY STARTS TO SHOW ON INTERNET SHOPPING APPAREL

—What’s going on? Dallas walked into the apartment and found Don Chan with his hands on Hush’s belly.

—Nothing, Hush said.

Don Chan looked at both of them. —Who are you?

Hush’s presence had Bobby beside himself.

—I can help you with that, he said as Hush tried to prop up some pillows to make herself more comfortable on the sofa. She was reading.

—Is he for real? Dallas teased.

—Shut up, stupid.

Bobby tousled Dallas’s hair.

—If you hit me again, Bobby, I’ll tell Mami.

Bobby pushed Dallas away.

—Mami! Dallas yelled.

—I’m sorry, Hush, my sister is a brat sometimes.

—It’s okay.

—You’re taking his side, Hush?

Esperanza rushed into the living room to see what was going on.

—Hush, are you all right?

—Sí, señora. Everything is fine.