CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY, Winnie and Marilee attended their first childbirth class. “I don’t know why I need this class,” Winnie said, carrying the pillow they were told to bring. “I watched my mother have two babies right in her bed, and there was nothing to it. This is a waste of time, if you ask me. I wouldn’t bother if my doctor weren’t so insistent.”
“Well, I certainly need it,” Marilee said, “if you plan on having me in the delivery room with you.”
“Did Grady go in when you had Josh?”
“Are you kidding? Grady passes out at the sight of blood. My mother went in his place, and she claimed it was the most rewarding experience of her life.” She smiled. “I’m glad she and I were able to share it.”
Ellen Moore, the class instructor, greeted the couples and asked that they introduce themselves. She spent the first hour going over a handout, which described the changes that they could expect to take place when they went into labor. After a brief question-and-answer session, she discussed the three stages of labor. More questions followed before she had the couples move to the floor so they could practice various breathing exercises.
“What do you think?” Marilee asked Winnie once they broke for lunch.
Winnie shrugged. “I’m not worried.”
They returned to the classroom after lunch and watched three videos of women giving birth. Afterward, Mrs. Moore discussed what type of pain medications were available, should the expectant moms become too uncomfortable during the labor process. “I would suggest you discuss your options with your doctor before you go in,” the woman said.
Winnie looked relieved when the class ended. “I’m not attending the next class,” she told Marilee as they walked to the car. “I know all I need to know.”
“Did you get nervous watching the videos?” Marilee asked.
“Heck, no,” she said. “Those women didn’t so much as break into a sweat. I’m telling you, Marilee, this is going to be a piece of cake.”
Marilee decided it was best to keep her mouth shut.
THANKSGIVING AND WINTER arrived on the same day, coating the ground with a thin layer of ice that sent Rascal slipping and sliding across the back lawn when Josh took him outside. Marilee watched from the kitchen window, chuckling to herself.
“Don’t tell me you’re cooking already,” Winnie said, coming down the stairs. “It’s not even eight o’clock. Besides, Nell specifically asked you not to bring anything. That’s why she hired a caterer, remember?”
“I don’t want to show up empty-handed,” Marilee said. “I figured it wouldn’t hurt to bake a few pies.”
“A few?” Winnie looked at the pies cooling on the counter. “Two pecan, one apple and three pumpkin pies?” She arched both eyebrows.
“Okay, so I get carried away when it comes to baking.”
Josh came through the door with Rascal in his arms. He was still laughing. “I saw the whole thing,” Marilee said.
“I don’t think he likes cold weather,” Josh told her. He set the dog down and shrugged out of his coat. “Hold on, Rascal, and I’ll feed you in a minute.” He draped the coat over the chair and grabbed the dog’s bowl.
“Josh, you’re feeding him too much,” Winnie said. “Look how fat he’s getting. He’s a regular roly-poly.”
“All puppies are fat in the beginning,” Josh said. He patted Winnie on the stomach. “And who are you to call my dog roly-poly? Looks like you’re about to give birth to Hulk Hogan.”
Winnie frowned. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.”
“I think I’ll call Dad,” Josh said, “and wish him a happy Thanksgiving.” He went into the living room.
Marilee noted the sad expression on her son’s face when he returned. “Everything okay?” she asked.
The boy shrugged. “Dad’s not having Thanksgiving dinner.”
“Oh?”
“LaFonda split. Packed her bags and moved to Tennessee to be closer to her family. Said she couldn’t live with a man who was sick all the time and had no job. I knew it wouldn’t last.”
“I’m sorry to hear it.” Marilee didn’t like to think of anyone spending the holidays alone, not even Grady. Nevertheless, it irked her that he’d shared the information with Josh and put a damper on the boy’s Thanksgiving.
“Yeah.” The boy went upstairs to his room.
Marilee and Winnie exchanged looks but didn’t say anything.
THE GROUP ARRIVED AT THE Brewer household at precisely one o’clock. Sam met them at the door wearing charcoal slacks, a light blue dress shirt, and tie. Marilee smiled. “Well, now, you look nice,” she said, realizing it was the first time she’d seen him when he wasn’t wearing jeans.
Sam simply stared back at her, noting how pretty she looked in a pleated, dove-gray skirt and light pink sweater. “You look pretty good yourself,” he said.
“May we come in?” Winnie asked. “It’s cold out here.”
Sam gave an embarrassed cough, realizing he’d forgotten the others because he was so happy to see Marilee. “Yes, please do.” He stepped back so they could enter. “I see every-body’s dressed up today. Winnie, I must say you look ravishing. Is that a new dress?”
She preened. “As a matter of fact it is. Marilee bought it for me since I was about to bust out of everything I own.”
Marilee headed straight for the kitchen, where she found Nell all aflutter. “You won’t believe what happened,” the woman said. “I ordered enough food for six people, and the caterer got it all wrong and brought enough for ten. Marilee, why on earth did you bake those pies? I told you not to bring anything.”
“She didn’t want to come empty-handed,” Winnie said, setting one of the pies on the counter.
“Well, I’m glad you’re on time,” Nell said. “Sam and I just put everything on the table.” She led them into the dining room. “Sam, why don’t you sit at this end and Josh can sit at the other.” She looked around. “And Marilee, you can sit there,” she said, pointing to the chair next to Sam. “Winnie and I will sit on the other side.”
Marilee hid her smile. It was obvious Nell wanted her close to Sam. Once they were seated, Winnie said the blessing.
“Everything looks wonderful,” Marilee said. “And you’re right. There’s enough food here for a small army.”
“Which is why I’m sending you home with leftovers,” the woman said. “Sam and I can’t possibly eat all this food.” She smiled. “Sam, would you like to carve this beautiful, twenty-five-pound turkey?”
“Mom, you know I’m no good at that sort of thing. Let Josh do it.”
“Me?” Josh looked surprised. “I’ve never carved a turkey before.”
Sam carried the turkey around to Josh’s side. “It’s time you learn.”
Marilee was certain Sam knew how to carve the bird, but she was touched that he was doing what he could to make Josh feel at home.
“I’ll help you, dear,” Nell said. She showed him how to slice the breast. “The rest of you can start passing the food around if you like.”
Josh began to slice the breast from the bone while Nell guided him through it. “Anyone prefer dark meat?” he asked.
“I like the drumstick,” Winnie informed them.
“So do I,” Josh said.
“Good thing there are two of them,” Winnie replied, “because I know with you being a gentleman and all you’d insist on giving it to me.”
Josh grinned. “Not necessarily. Especially since you cheated yesterday when we played chess.”
“I never cheat. You’re just a lousy player.”
“Okay, everyone dig in,” Nell said once the food had been served. “And don’t be shy, there’s more than enough for seconds.”
Despite Nell’s prompting Josh ate very little. “May I be excused?” he asked as soon as everyone finished eating. “I need to check on Rascal.”
“Sure, honey,” Marilee said.
“Just get back in time for de
ssert,” Nell said.
The boy slipped out the back door. Nobody said anything for a minute. Finally, Sam pushed his chair away from the table. “I think I’ll run over and check on Josh. He seems awfully quiet today.”
Nell waited until Sam closed the door. “Josh looks upset. Is he okay?”
Marilee folded her napkin in her lap. “He misses his father. Grady is ill today and his girlfriend walked out on him, so he’s spending the holidays alone.”
“Grady deserves it, if you ask me,” Winnie said.
“Yes, but our son is suffering over it,” Marilee said. “What Grady does is his business, but I don’t like to see Josh upset.”
“Josh just needs more time,” Nell said, patting Marilee’s hand. “After all, he’s trying to adjust. But he seems happy enough to me.”
Winnie looked thoughtful. “This is the first Thanksgiving I’ve spent without my family,” she said. “It hurts a little, but I’m thankful I have y’all in my life. I think it would be terrible to spend the holiday alone.”
Marilee looked at Nell. “Would you mind if I fix a plate for Grady before I leave?”
“Are you kidding? I’m sending half of this stuff home with you.”
Marilee and Winnie began clearing the table. Marilee filled a sink with warm, sudsy water and began washing the china, while Winnie loaded the other dishes into the dishwasher.
SAM WAITED ON MARILEE’S back steps while Josh let Rascal out. The boy looked troubled, but the dog was obviously glad to see his young master because he stayed by Josh’s side the entire time. After Rascal had gone to the bathroom, Josh sank onto the steps next to Sam.
“What’s wrong, Josh? You look preoccupied,” Sam said.
Josh nodded but he didn’t meet Sam’s gaze. “I’m sort of worried about my dad,” he said. “It just doesn’t feel right, him going without Thanksgiving dinner.”
Sam nodded. “At least he won’t have to wash dishes.” He nudged Josh. “And neither will we, if we stay over here long enough.”
Josh didn’t seem to be listening. “This is the first time my parents haven’t been together for the holidays. It feels weird, you know?”
“I know, Josh, believe me. My dad died when I was in high school. I was angry at first, because he was my best friend. I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. He had always been in excellent health. Nobody knew he had a bad heart until one day he just slumped over in his chair and was gone.” He patted Josh on the shoulder. “It’s hard at first, but I promise it gets easier as time goes on.”
Josh was quiet for a moment. “Do you like my mom?”
Sam wondered how to respond. He was crazy about Marilee, but he didn’t think Josh was ready to hear that. “Your mother is one of the finest people I’ve ever met, and I consider her my friend. My mother thinks the world of her.”
Josh looked as though he wanted to ask more questions but didn’t. “Sam?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for getting me Rascal,” he said, rubbing his fingers across the puppy’s silky ears.
“You’re welcome.”
“You think they’re finished cleaning the kitchen yet?”
“Yeah, and if we don’t get back they’ll eat all the dessert.”
“I’M GOING STRAIGHT TO BED,” Winnie announced once they returned home. “All that food made me sleepy.” She went upstairs.
“I’m going to take Rascal out again,” Josh said.
Marilee was already loading food onto three plates. “I was thinking we should probably take some of this food to your dad,” she said. “No sense wasting it.”
Josh smiled for the first time since his phone call to his father. “Thanks, Mom.”
Marilee had packed the food into a box by the time Josh returned with Rascal. “Ready?”
“Sure.” Josh carried the box to the car for her. “This is a lot of food for one person.”
“I have another stop to make after we drop a plate off at your dad’s,” she said.
Marilee had never seen where Grady lived, and she was shocked at the sight of the old mobile home with its peeling paint and the clutter surrounding it. Grady had always been so particular. A large cat was curled on a lawn chair, and Marilee wondered how Grady could tolerate an animal, given his allergies. She kept her feelings to herself, though, as she reached into the box for the plate of food and a pumpkin pie.
Josh carried them to the door and knocked several times before Grady answered. If Marilee had been shocked to find him living in squalor, she was doubly so when she saw the man’s appearance. He looked surprised at the food and disappeared inside for a few seconds before walking out to the car. As if sensing his parents needed privacy, Josh picked up the cat and sat in the chair, stroking the animal. Marilee had not expected Grady to come out and talk to her, but she put her window down.
“Thank you for dropping off the food, Marilee,” he said. “You shouldn’t have gone to the trouble.”
“It was no trouble. Besides, Josh was worried about you.”
Grady seemed to be studying her. “You look very nice,” he said. “All dressed up for the holidays, I see.” He paused. “I was sorry to hear about your ordeal at the Pickford Inn,” he said. “I had no idea you’d taken a second job. You must have been scared to death.”
“No harm done.” She couldn’t help feeling concerned about his appearance. “Grady, are you okay? You don’t look so well.”
“I haven’t been responding to the blood pressure medication, so my doctor put me on something else. Maybe this one will work. Uh, Marilee? Do you think we could sit down and talk sometime?”
She looked at him. She couldn’t imagine what he wanted to discuss with her. “We’ll see,” she said, not wanting to commit herself. “I’d better get going. I have another errand to run.” She started the engine. Josh stood and returned the cat to his resting place. He hugged his dad and rounded the car, climbing in the passenger’s side.
The drive to Esmerelda Cunningham’s house didn’t take long. Marilee carried the box of food to the door and rang the bell. Dudly answered. “Mrs. Abernathy, what a pleasant surprise. Would you like to come in?”
“I can’t stay,” she said. “I just wanted to drop off a few leftovers from Thanksgiving dinner. There’s enough for both of you.”
Dudley peered into the box. “And pecan pie to boot. You’re too kind, Mrs. Abernathy.”
“Please, call me Marilee,” she said. “Happy Thanksgiving, Dudley. Please give Mrs. Cunningham my best.” She walked to her car and pulled away.
“That’s old lady Cunningham’s house, isn’t it?” Josh said.
“Yes, it is.”
“Why did you take her food? She’s the meanest person in town.”
“Yes, she can be cranky at times, but I think it’s all an act.”
“A very good act,” the boy replied.
Night came, and Winnie trudged down the stairs. “I’m hungry,” she announced.
“There are still plenty of leftovers in the refrigerator,” Marilee said.
“Where’s Josh?”
“He took Rascal out.”
“Is he feeling any better?”
“Much better.”
Josh returned and put Rascal in his cage for the night. “I’m tired. I think I’ll go to bed early.” He hugged Marilee. “Thanks for taking that plate to Dad.”
Winnie looked at Marilee. “You took a plate of food to Grady?” When Marilee nodded, Winnie shook her head.
“I did it for Josh.”
Marilee joined her at the kitchen table and gazed down at Rascal. The poor dog looked lost. Feeling sorry for him, she opened the cage door and pulled him out. He was so thankful he began licking her ear. Marilee laughed softly as she made her way up the stairs to Josh’s room.
His bedroom door was open. “You forgot something,” Marilee said.
Josh looked up and brightened when he saw his dog. “What do you mean?” he asked.
“You can’t just leave poor
Rascal in his cage on Thanksgiving night.”
Josh looked surprised. “You mean I can sleep with him?”
“He’s your dog.” Marilee would never have permitted such a thing in the past, but Josh needed cheering up.
He took the puppy in his arms and received a wet kiss on his nose. He laughed. “I think he likes me.”
“Well, you’re a pretty likable person.”
Winnie was finishing up her snack when Marilee came downstairs. She washed and dried her plate. “I can’t believe how tired I am,” she said.
Marilee looked at her. “Speaking of which, I want you to stop doing so much around here. I can take care of things now that I’m not working a second job. You just need to concentrate on school and your baby.”
“I’ll admit I’m starting to slow down.” She walked over to Marilee and surprised her with a hug. “You’re too good to me. Happy Thanksgiving, Marilee.”
Marilee hugged her back. “Same to you, Winnie. Now, why don’t you go upstairs and rest?”
“I think I will. Good night, Marilee.”
SAM FELT RESTLESS. HE MISSED Marilee. It was torture being away from her and she was all he could think about. This falling-in-love business was hard on a man.
Nell looked up from her TV program. “Why don’t you go on over and see her?” she said.
Sam looked at her. “Am I that obvious?”
“Yes, and you’re driving me crazy.”
Sam grinned and let himself out the back door. A moment later he knocked on Marilee’s door. She looked happy to see him, Sam thought as he stepped inside. “Where is everybody?”
“They went to bed early.”
“So we’re alone?” When she nodded, he slipped his arms around her waist. “Come here, woman, and kiss me.” He pulled her closer and kissed her. When he lifted his head, he grinned. “That was so good I’m coming back for more.”
This time the kiss was slow and lingering, and when he prodded her lips with his tongue, Marilee opened her mouth to receive him, slipping her arms around his neck. He moaned deep in his throat and pressed his body against hers, wanting more.
A New Attitude Page 32