Aiden, she thought with a smile and picked the phone up. She pushed the play button on the ancient machine and listened in anticipation for the sound of his voice.
"I have to give it to you,” Lauren said. “Your problems are never boring."
Harriet's shoulders and spirits sagged.
"I haven't found birth or death documents for either of the adults and nothing on the baby."
"Why are you calling me, then?” Harriet wondered out loud. Fred looked up at the sound of her voice.
"I did find something interesting, though."
The phone in her hand buzzed, and Harriet startled so hard she again had to juggle the phone to avoid dropping it.
"Hello?"
"Guess what I just found?” Lauren asked.
"I was about to find out from the answering machine, but you cut yourself off."
"Guess."
"Lauren, it is not even seven o'clock yet. Could you just cut to the chase?"
"Oh, you're no fun."
Look who's talking, Harriet thought.
"I suppose going to your computer and watching a YouTube video clip is out of the question."
"Lauren, if you don't tell me something useful in the next thirty seconds, I'm hanging up."
"Fine,” she grumbled. “The video clip you refuse to watch shows a woman named Nabirye Obote talking about contaminated water wells near Oraba, Uganda, which is apparently a village or town near the Sudanese border. I think she is saying that the wells were contaminated on purpose, but I'm not sure because my translation program had a hard time with her accent."
"So, she made a video at some point before she died."
"You are definitely not a morning person, are you?” Lauren said. “If she'd made a video in the past, I wouldn't be calling you. This video was posted yesterday."
"Yeah, but couldn't it have been made earlier and just not posted until yesterday?"
"It could have, but why post it after she died, and if you were going to post it after she died, don't you think you'd mention her death?"
"Are you sure it's the woman we're looking for?"
"Of course not, how could I know that? All I can tell you is that a woman named Nabirye Obote made a video in Uganda two days ago. Oh, and she looks to be of childbearing age. I don't know how common the name is, but with nothing else to go on, that's what I've got."
Harriet sat down on a stool at her kitchen bar, phone in hand.
"That's a lot,” she admitted. “If it is our Nabirye Obote, then she's clearly not dead."
"Which makes us wonder why her baby is here with some other mother."
"What it really makes us wonder is if Nabirye has a baby at all."
"If she's doing politically dangerous work, she might have sent her baby here for safety,” Lauren suggested.
"Or Neelie might be trying to take advantage of her sister's situation and find a better life for her own baby."
"Didn't you tell me yesterday the baby's eyes were blue? So, we have to believe Neelie just coincidentally had a blue-eyed baby?"
"If she did have a blue-eyed baby, and she'd seen Aiden, it might have given her the idea."
"It sounds pretty bold, if you ask me."
"My experience with Neelie is that she's definitely bold enough to try something like that."
"If she's staying at Aiden's house maybe we can grill her after the shower."
Harriet could hear the clicking of computer keys in the background.
"I just sent you the link. When you've had your coffee, take a look."
"Thanks for finding this so quickly,” Harriet said.
"It's what I do,” Lauren said with a long-suffering sigh. “Later,” she added, and hung up without waiting for a response.
Harriet turned on her bar stool.
"This puts a different spin on things, Fred. After that bit of news, I think a walk is in order after all."
Beth had taken Mavis's quilt piece home the night before, so Harriet spent the morning auditioning fabrics for her dog quilt block. Her plan was to try to fashion a tumbling block pattern using light, medium and dark fabrics, one of which would be a dog print. If her color choices were good, three diamond-shaped pieces would be joined, creating a three-dimensional effect that would make it appear blocks were tumbling out of the quilt.
She cut two diamonds from each of the dog-print fabrics she'd collected then searched through the fabric on her storage shelves to find coordinating shades to complete each trio. It was a slow process—cutting diamonds, arranging the pieces on her flannel design wall and rejecting them when they didn't create the desired effect.
A glance at the clock told her she needed to end the process and get ready for the shower. For all her efforts, she'd found only one trio of colors that looked like they might work.
"Take a message if Aiden calls,” Harriet instructed Fred after she'd showered, dressed and wrapped her shower gift. “And don't open the door for strangers."
Fred meowed his agreement, and Harriet left for the party.
[Back to Table of Contents]
Chapter 9
Was that Neelie I saw driving your car down the driveway when I came in?” Harriet asked Carla when she entered Aiden's house.
Carla set a bowl of fruit salad down on the dining room buffet.
"I sent her to the store to buy formula and diapers that fit for the baby."
"Did it occur to you she might just take the car and run?” Harriet asked.
Carla's cheeks turned a dark pink.
"She wants something, and it isn't a car,” she said. “Trust me. My mom had boyfriends with that same look she has."
"Our Carla's clever enough not to let Neelie take her car without leaving a security deposit,” Mavis said as she came into the dining room carrying Kissa.
"Aren't you the sly one?” Harriet said.
"Not sly enough,” Carla told her. “I didn't get any new information from her."
Mavis patted Carla on the back.
"Now, honey, she's hardly settled in. You just keep your ears open. Let us do the rest."
The Loose Threads started arriving en masse, fixing plates of snacks and making tea.
"Did you tell everyone what I found?” Lauren asked as she sat down next to Harriet at the table. She had on a pink linen blouse with a Peter Pan collar, and navy blue pants. Her hair was swept back from her face with a navy blue headband. She looked younger and more vulnerable than usual.
"I haven't had a chance. Why don't you tell them?"
"I can't believe you're sitting on this gem. Where is the subject, by the way?"
"If you mean Neelie, she's at the store, and you don't need to say it, I already asked why she got to take a car. Carla's holding the baby hostage."
"Way to go, Carla,” Lauren said. “Looks like our little friend is growing a spine."
Harriet shushed Lauren. Fortunately, Carla was in the kitchen and well out of earshot.
"What did you find out?” Jenny asked. Her shoulder-length silver hair was turned under in her customary page boy style, and she was wearing gray wool slacks and a pale-blue crepe blouse.
The room quieted as Lauren explained her discovery that Neelie's sister was possibly still alive. She also told them about the lack of documentation for Kissa and Neelie.
"That's all the more reason Carla shouldn't be here alone with that woman,” Connie said when Lauren had finished.
"Who are you talking about?” Phyllis Johnson asked as she wedged her soft bulk into a dining room chair.
Three people started talking at once, but after only a few minutes, Phyllis was up to speed.
"Do you really think Aiden abandoned a pregnant woman in Africa?” Phyllis asked. “I've known him since he was a guppie. He used to give Avanell fits bringing home every stray dog and cat in Foggy Point. He wouldn't leave his own baby.” Her chair creaked as she settled her bulk. She tugged at the two sides of her pastel piecework jacket. “Mark my words, something else is going on."
DeAnn came into the dining room, ending all talk of Neelie, Aiden and Kissa.
"This is still happening, right?” she asked Phyllis. She wore a black vest with red appliquéd flowers connected by a green vine that twined from one front panel, around the neck, down the back and onto the other front piece. Leaves in three shades of green were spaced between the flowers. The vest was very striking over the red turtleneck sweater she'd paired it with. She wore tapered black pants and ankle boots to complete the outfit. It was a definite change from her usual jeans and green polo shirt with the Foggy Point Video logo she wore most week days—her family owned the video store, and she worked there part time.
"Yes, it's all real,” Phyllis said with a smile. “If everything goes as planned, this time tomorrow you're going to have a beautiful daughter."
"It's all so hard to believe,” DeAnn said. “I mean, Avery was born while David was still in graduate school. And Hansford...” She paused. “Well, he was a bit of a surprise, so he got AJ's hand-me-downs, which were already secondhand."
"Well, honey, you just enjoy every minute of it,” Aunt Beth said.
"No baby shower is complete without a couple of games,” Mavis said. “Let's move into the parlor across the hall."
In her mind, Harriet groaned. She'd been to a few baby showers when she lived in California, and she'd clearly demonstrated that her upbringing, in the hands of nannies and at boarding schools in Europe, Asia and only sometimes America, had left her without the common cultural references most children grew up with. Her parents believed reading children's books to children stunted their potential. When her mother read to her, it was from the periodic table; her father read her Shakespeare.
"Okay, everyone,” Mavis said when the women were settled on the chairs and sofas of the large dayroom. “In this one, there are small gold ‘diaper’ pins mixed in a bowl of rice. Your task is to pick out as many pins as you can in thirty seconds—while blindfolded."
This task proved harder than it sounded but didn't require previous knowledge of babies or culture. The next two games didn't, either, and Harriet relaxed. She knew she was among friends, but she was still sensitive about her weird upbringing.
Neelie came in the front door as the group was returning to the dining room to have cake and ice cream.
"Oh, hi, Neelie,” Carla said. “Would you like to join us for some cake?"
She looked wary.
"Where is Kissa?"
"She's in the nursery with Wendy,” Carla told her. “I hired a babysitter to stay with them during the shower."
"Okay, but just a small piece for me."
"Here, come sit,” Aunt Beth said and brought another chair to the table, placing it between herself and Harriet. “What would you like to drink? We have punch, tea and coffee."
"Coffee is fine,” Neelie said. Harriet could see the woman was uncomfortable.
"Let me introduce you,” Harriet said. “Ladies, Carla's houseguest is going to join us."
She proceeded to present each Loose Thread, and they, in turn, each said a few words of welcome.
"Phyllis Johnson isn't a Loose Thread. She works for the adoption agency that is placing DeAnn's baby with her.” Harriet looked around. Phyllis had disappeared. “I guess she's in the restroom."
"Welcome,” Robin said. “I hope you enjoy your visit to Foggy Point."
"So, what's Oraba like?” Lauren asked.
"Excuse me?” Neelie said in her lilting English.
"I saw in a video on YouTube that your sister's working in Oraba. I was wondering what kind of place it was."
If Neelie noticed Lauren's use of the present tense in reference to her sister, she didn't show it.
"It is like all of Uganda—hot and dusty."
"Are there problems with the water there?” Harriet asked.
"I don't know,” Neelie snapped. “She had her work, and I had mine. We didn't talk about it."
"What sort of work did you do?” Harriet persisted.
"I work at a bank, just like you have here. I wear a dress. I stand at a window and take people's money or give them their money."
"How about some more coffee?” Mavis said, and refilled Neelie's cup without waiting for an answer. “Pass her the milk,” she told Harriet.
The conversation effectively ended, the group ate cake and chatted.
"I'm going to go check the baby,” Neelie said when she was finished.
She stood and left the room. Phyllis returned to the table when she was gone.
"Are you okay?” Beth asked her.
"I'm fine. I got a phone call I had to return right away, so I stepped outside where it was quiet."
DeAnn looked at her.
"Don't worry, it was good news,” Phyllis assured her. “Your little girl is on her way. This time tomorrow, she'll arrive in Seattle and, shortly after that, in Foggy Point."
DeAnn smiled and sagged back into her chair in relief.
"How about we open some presents?” Connie said and wheeled in the jogging stroller. She and Mavis had set it up and stashed it in the kitchen eating area. The Loose Threads had strapped a baby-sized teddy bear into the seat and surrounded it with smaller wrapped gifts.
"Oh, my gosh,” DeAnn said. “You guys shouldn't have."
"Isn't that the point of a shower?” Sarah asked. “You shower the person with stuff."
Aunt Beth took a package from the stroller and handed it to DeAnn.
Almost an hour later, the last package had been unwrapped, and DeAnn was surrounded by piles of mostly pink pajamas, dresses, pants and shirts as well as more than one little-girl-sized quilt. Harriet had made two nightgowns. Since they didn't know the correct size, she and the rest of the Threads had stuck to flexible, loose-fitting garments.
A knock on the door interrupted the oooh-ing and ahh-ing.
"Am I too early?” Joseph Marston asked when Carla had let him in and escorted him to the dining room. “I found another big quilt that was donated. Mavis said to bring it by here."
"I'll take that,” Mavis said and stood up. “Here—sit down and have a piece of cake."
"I don't want to interrupt,” Joseph protested, but Aunt Beth had already sliced a large piece of the lemon-filled white cake and set it in front of him. Jenny brought a china cup and saucer from the sideboard and put it beside the cake.
"Coffee or tea?” she asked and, when he indicated coffee, picked up the coffee carafe and filled his cup. Carla put the sugar and cream within his reach.
"Thank you, ladies.” he said. “And I hope you know these quilts you're remaking will be put to good use."
"Well, it's a very good cause,” Mavis said. “And we're happy to do what little we can to help those babies get a good start in life."
Joseph looked across the room at DeAnn, who was giggling as she held up a pink tutu and leotard and showed it to Robin and Jenny.
"I've been doing this for almost twenty years now, and that...” He pointed at a smiling DeAnn. “...is something that never gets old."
"Joseph,” Phyllis said from the other end of the table, “do we have a final arrival time to tell DeAnn?"
"Assuming the customs process goes smoothly,” he said, and pulled out his smartphone, clicking buttons as he spoke and staring at the little screen, “they land in Seattle right around noon. Assuming thirty minutes to get through customs, give or take another thirty, depending on how full the flight is, my best guess is between two-thirty and three o'clock."
"Where do we go to pick her up?” DeAnn asked.
"Oh, don't worry, honey,” Phyllis said. “At Little Lamb, we bring your bundle of joy to your home.” She took the last bite of her second piece of cake then hoisted herself up. “Speaking of Little Lamb, I better get back. We don't want any of our new parents to wait any longer than they absolutely have to, to receive their new family member.” She looked over at Joseph. “You take your time, Joe. I can finish up the verifications tonight."
He started to rise.
>
"I can finish them for you,” he said with a longing glance at his cake.
"Don't be silly. You go home when you're done with these ladies. Thanks to Harriet here, I've got plenty of time to bind my quilt before the wedding."
The expression on Joseph's face said he wasn't comfortable being sent home when the boss was going back to work, but it was also clear he wouldn't argue in front of the assembled women.
"Let me get you some more cake,” Harriet said, breaking the awkward silence.
Phyllis gathered up her quilt, which Harriet had placed under her chair when the shower started, then buttoned her jacket and left.
"Oh, Harriet,” she called, pausing at the front door. “Let me write you a check."
She was holding the invoice Harriet had tucked into the quilt bag with the finished product. Harriet waited in the foyer as she pulled a pink plastic checkbook with a matching pen from her purse and began writing.
Movement on the steps caught her attention, and she looked up as Neelie retreated back upstairs.
"I hope he'll take my advice and go home,” Phyllis said in a hushed voice. “I'm not one to pry, so I don't know what's going on with him, but he looks like a man who hasn't gotten a good night's sleep in quite some time."
Harriet hadn't been in town long enough to know what Joseph Marston should look like, but as she studied him from the foyer, she had to admit the dark circles under his eyes and too-prominent hollow of his cheeks, combined with worn-looking gray slacks that were a bit looser than was fashionable, suggested he wasn't at his peak.
She returned to the dining room and got Joseph a second piece of cake. Aunt Beth and Mavis were picking up plates and cups from the table, while Jenny and Connie helped DeAnn pack up the presents.
"I've got to get back to work,” Sarah announced. “Congratulations,” she said to DeAnn. “Do we have a time to show our next blocks?” she asked no one in particular.
"Since DeAnn isn't going to be doing a block in any case, what about tomorrow?” Lauren suggested.
"Actually, that's not a bad idea,” Robin said. “That will help us all respect DeAnn's request to let the first couple of days with the new little one be immediate family only."
Quilt by Association Page 5