Chapter 56
Their second child arrived three years after Elise, on a Tuesday morning in February, with the same loud protest that had characterized Marcus's own arrival.
His name was Joseph Leroy Campbell. The middle name was not discussed in advance Marcus simply said it at the naming, and Nia looked at him with the expression of someone who is not surprised but is very moved.
He called Leroy from the hospital.
'We named him Joseph Leroy,' he said.
Leroy was quiet for several seconds.
'You didn't have to do that,' he said, finally.
'I know,' Marcus said. 'I wanted to. He's named after the right things.'
Another silence. Then: 'I'm coming to the hospital.'
'It's midnight.'
'I'm coming to the hospital,' Leroy said again, with perfect finality.
He came to the hospital. He stood over the small bed and looked at Joseph with the expression of a man profoundly moved.
'He looks like you,' Leroy said.
'Everyone says that.'
'It's true.' Leroy looked up at Marcus. 'The yard produced well, Marcus. Give us credit.'
Marcus laughed, quietly, so as not to wake the baby.
Elise met her brother the next morning. She examined him with three-year-old scientific thoroughness, reaching out to touch his hand with one finger.
'He's small,' she announced.
'He'll get bigger,' Marcus said.
'Will he be loud?'
'Probably.'
She considered this. 'That's all right,' she said. 'I'll show him things.' She looked at Marcus. 'Like you showed me.'
He held that.
'Yes,' he said. 'Like I showed you.