by Belle Linde
Sure, that contribution had been partially motivated by the need for quick cash. It wasn’t just that, though. Chris desperately wanted a family of his own. He had been so sure that, if he just took all the right steps, he would meet the woman of his dreams and have an entire house full of kids.
That’s what had worked for his father. His father had attended Harvard medical school, opened his own practice, and married his young receptionist six months later.
Of course, his father had the sense to hire a single woman to work his front office. Chris’s own receptionists had come with the office; the youngest one had been working there for nearly as long as Chris had been alive. They were great women, but they weren’t exactly marriage material. They weren’t even single.
He hated to admit it, but it wasn’t just the lack of eligible women that was holding Chris back. He was just such a dope when it came to meeting new people. Take that last appointment. Just remembering how awkward and rude he had been, completely unintentionally of course, made Chris groan.
Jeez, had he really just forced that poor woman into a conversation about how her baby was conceived? Thank heavens that the woman had been so gracious. Pretty too, now that Chris thought about it. He wondered why a lady like that had used a donor, then was immediately glad that he hadn’t blurted out any questions regarding her motives during her visit.
Chris sat on the edge of his desk and sighed. He wished that he had the kind of effortless charm that his father possessed. His father would never have tried to tell a patient’s mother that she was a wonder of scientific advancement.
Oh well. At least he had gotten to meet another adorable baby and her lovely mother. Chris hoped that he hadn’t driven this woman to seek a new pediatrician. Actually, he hoped that she would attend his surprise party. He wouldn’t mind getting another chance to impress her. She seemed like just his type. Pretty, good mother. Independent thinker. Too bad he’d probably just blown any shot he had. Still, it would be nice to see her again.
The rest of his day was filled with vaccinations, an ingrown toenail, a few rashes, and even a little guy who’d gotten a dime stuck up his nose. In short, business as usual, and Chris loved it. He loved getting to know his little patients and their families, and fortunately, he very seldom had to deal with a serious malady.
After his last patient for the day headed out, Chris grabbed his jacket and bike helmet and climbed aboard his old mountain bike. That thing had carried him over miles of road, trail, and even bush over the past ten years and it still rode as smooth as the day he bought it off Craigslist for fifty bucks.
Cruising home on his bike was one of his favorite times of the day. He liked the fresh air and exercise, but best of all, it gave him ample opportunity to daydream. Chris stood on his pedals and pumped away, enjoying the feeling of cold air on his cheeks. It was still light out, but soon the sun would start to go down earlier and earlier.
Colorful leaves took to the air as Chris sped through his town’s streets on his old bike. People already had their pumpkins and other decorative autumn veggies on display; it was almost Halloween. The scent of burning leaves filled their air and shop windows displayed all sorts of seasonal treats.
Chris stopped in front of the bakery and parked his bike. He hadn’t planned a visit, but he once he smelled the fresh-baked pumpkin bread, he couldn’t resist. The bell on the door jingled as he stepped in and he was greeted by the sight of his own sister and her two kids seated at the bakery’s only table, enjoying the very pumpkin bread that had lured him.
“How did I know I would find you guys here?” he joked, joining them at their table. “Actually I didn’t know. I just needed a pumpkin fix.”
“This is our cake,” his little nephew Luke insisted with a look of actual concern. “You have to buy cake.”
“Lucas!” his mother Melissa laughed. “We can share our cake with Uncle Chris.”
“I don’t know,” Chris replied. “I think he’s right. There isn’t enough cake here for three big guys like us. Let alone Mommy,” he laughed. “We all know how much she likes cake.”
“Mommy can share my cake,” Ryan, the younger of the two boys helpfully added.
“Aw, that’s sweet, buddy,” Chris stroked the kid’s hair. “I’m definitely gonna order a big piece though. And a cappuccino!” The doctor picked up his treat from the counter and returned to his seat. “So what are you guys up to today?”
“Well,” Melissa started, “we were on an adventure. We went across town to the new playground over on Edison. It’s got a huge, multi-kid tire swing and some rubber trampoline-type things right in the ground. Tonight, though, that’s when the real excitement is taking place. We’re making our Halloween costumes.”
“Wow.” Every year Mel’s husband made the boys’ costumes from scratch and he did an awesome job. “What are you guys gonna be this year?”
“I’m an astronaut and Ryan is a robot. What are you gonna be?” Luke asked his uncle. Every year a huge crew of families went out trick or treating together, and Chris always joined them, in costume. He felt a little weird being the only non-parent adult there, but most of the parents were folks he’d known since he was in school, so it was okay.
“Man, I don’t know yet. Do you guys have any ideas for me?”
“A ladybug?” Ryan asked.
“No!” laughed his older brother. “Mommy is already a ladybug. How about a dinosaur? Or a racecar?”
“I wish your dad would make me a cool costume like he makes you guys.”
“Have you considered asking him,” Mel suggested. “He’d probably be delighted. Halloween is basically his time to shine.”
“I don’t know, Mel. Rich is kind of a prankster. I don’t want to go trick or treating dressed as Queen Elizabeth or something.” Chris’s brother-in-law loved pranks almost as much as he loved craft projects and Chris wouldn’t put it past him.
“In that case, you’d better not take the risk,” his sister conceded. The two grown ups planned their meetup for trick or treating and finished their treats.
By the time he was home, Chris had about a million ideas for his own costume. He also had a million ideas for costumes for his future kids, but those would have to wait.
*****
The autumn days rolled by so fast that Margaret found herself rushing to put the finishing touches on her and Edie’s costumes before the weekend arrived. Edie was too little for treats, but they were joining the neighborhood parents on their annual trick or treating adventure nevertheless.
Margaret had handed out treats to this particular group for years, and every year she was more eager to join them with her own family. Both of her neighbors trick or treated with this crew.
The ladies who lived on either side of the Adlers had been pals with Margaret ever since she moved in on her own. They hung out together in the afternoons and both women had been lifesavers to Margaret both during her pregnancy and now that she had a new baby. They were always available with hints and moral support, and best of all, they understood almost everything a new mother went through.
Lindy Greer, the mom from the house to Margaret’s east, already had four kids and was a seasoned, veteran mom. She had a sort of ‘whatever works, works’ approach to parenting, probably thanks to the chaos of having so many kids, that Margaret could really appreciate. Whenever Margaret was feeling guilty about using disposable diapers or a pacifier, Lindy was there to assure her that she was perfectly normal and a great mom.
Sharon Perkins, who lived in the house to the west, was practically Lindy’s opposite. Sharon was a granola mom who knew every single study about the benefits of breastfeeding by heart. If Margaret ever needed information about making her own baby food, the importance of natural household cleaners, or whether organic cotton was worth the extra cost, Sharon was the woman to ask. Sharon’s own daughter Kaitlyn was enrolled in every extracurricular activity known to mankind.
Despite their differences in parenting styles, Lindy
and Sharon were best friends and their disagreements never erupted into arguments. Margaret liked to consider herself a middle-of-the-road type parent. She read all of Sharon’s studies and blog articles, but she also didn’t feel too bad about occasionally shopping in big box stores.
With their “take one” candy bowl that was sure to be emptied by the first set of trick or treaters over the age of ten in place on the porch, Margaret and Edie set off for Lindy’s place to meet up with everyone.
“Oh! A chef! And a chicken!” Lindy opened the door wearing the exact same friendly witch costume that she wore every year. Margaret had decided to go for something classic; she was dressed as the Swedish Chef from the Muppets, complete with fake mustache, and Edie was a chicken.
Margaret entered the bustling household and immediately recognized Optimus Prime, a vast assortment of princesses, and several animals. She saw Angry Birds, a spattering of scary monsters, and a Bubble Guppie.
Most surprising of all, she saw Dr. Chris Nillson, dressed as a… tree? A crayon, maybe? He was wearing green jeans and a green turtleneck and some kind of pointed green headpiece that looked as though it was made from plush.
“Dr. Nillson!” Margaret exclaimed, waving. “Are you here with your family?”
Chris Nillson looked confused for a moment. “Ms. Adler? Sorry, I didn’t recognize you in your disguise. I see you’ve grown a mustache. Swedish Chef?”
“Yes! I’m glad somebody recognized my costume. Please, call me Margaret. Or Chef, I guess. Anything but Ms. Adler; that’s my mother.”
“I’m Chris,” the doc replied with a smile. “I guess we kind of go together.”
Now it was Margaret’s turn to be confused. How did a tree-crayon go with a Swedish Chef and a chicken?
“I’m asparagus. I’m a stalk of asparagus. I decided to try my hand at making my own costume this year, since my brother in law does incredible costumes for his family every year. It seemed like fun.”
“A-ha,” Margaret nodded. “I think that’s a great asparagus costume. You’re right, we do go together. Chicken and asparagus. And a chef, of course.”
“Let me take a picture of you three, you look so cute,” Lindy interrupted. Chris took his place at Margaret’s side so that the chef, asparagus, and chicken were together in one frame. “Adorable!” Lindy squealed, admiring her own handiwork. Just then she heard a member of her own brood hollering and had to run off, leaving the couple alone.
“I’m here with my sister’s family. We all go trick or treating every year,” the green doctor explained.
“This is our very first year trick or treating! Though I guess Edie here is a little too young for treats.” Margaret fussed with the baby’s costume a bit. Edith was being surprisingly cool about being dressed like a chicken. The little angel reached for her mother’s mustache and smiled.
“Hey, that just means more treats for us.”
Just then, it was time for everyone to head out. There were at least two dozen people in their group, about a third of whom were parents. The rest of the little trick or treaters formed a sort of motley parade of characters as they marched up and down their neighborhood, ringing doorbells and chanting ‘trick or treat’ on every doorstep.
Margaret shifted Edith from one arm to the other. Edie was a little girl, but she was pretty big for a baby and she could get pretty heavy. Margaret hadn’t brought any kind of stroller since she hadn’t realized quite how long trick or treating took. She was beginning to worry that she’d have to run home in the middle and then rejoin the party at Lindy’s.
“Can I take her?” Chris asked, reaching out his arms gallantly.
“Well, you can try but usually she won’t…” Margaret noticed that her little daughter was reaching back to the doctor. “Well I guess she’s made up her mind,” she laughed, handing the girl over. She immediately felt thirty pounds lighter, even though her kid weighed about fifteen pounds.
The asparagus carried the happy little chicken as the group marched from house to house collecting treats and threatening tricks.
“Aw, look at the little chicken!” a plump older lady exclaimed. “What a big girl, trick or treating on her very first Halloween. Well, would you just look at that! She’s got big, blonde curls just like her Daddy!”
“Actually--” Chris tried to correct the woman.
“And she’s got Daddy’s bright blue eyes! Wow, Mama, you’d think she’d have the decency to give you a nod after you carried her for nine months and birthed her. But nope, she’s clearly Daddy’s girl, all the way.” The woman clucked at Edie and waddled off without waiting for a response.
“Don’t sweat it,” Margaret immediately assured Chris. “People make all kinds of weird, awkward comments about babies. Plus, she was right. Edie really doesn’t take after me much, at least looks-wise.”
“That’s not true!” Chris responded. “She’s got your ears! Look at the way her cute little ears stick out!”
Margaret laughed. “My worst feature!”
“No,” Chris shot back. “Your ears are adorable! On you and on Edie.”
“She really does look quite a bit like you, though,” Margaret looked the pair over. “Must be those Scandinavian roots.”
*****
Chris wasn’t about to suggest to Margaret that it was possible that Edith was his daughter. Of course, it was entirely unlikely. Statistically near impossible. There were probably thousands of donors worldwide, and he knew that it was common for banks to ship their material around the world. Plus he had donated several years ago.
Still, he had a little bit of fun imagining that Edith really was his. She did look just like his sister Melissa had when she was a kid. In fact, she kind of looked like a little-girl version of Mel’s own rugrats.
“Is that your girlfriend?” Luke has asked him, teasing him about spending the entire event at Margaret’s side. I wish, thought Chris. Jeez, Margaret was just the type of woman he imagined marrying. Well, to be honest, he never imagined his dream wife having a kid. Edie was adorable, though, and Chris liked getting the chance to see what kind of mom she was.
Margaret seemed pretty calm and easygoing, as far as parenting was concerned. She doted on her daughter, but she didn’t freak out when he offered to hold Edie. Best of all, she definitely seemed like a fun mom. Would an uptight mom dress her baby as a chicken? No way, Chris was sure.
Just thinking about his own costume made him cringe. What had he been thinking? An asparagus? Chris rubbed the stubble on his chin. He wished that he had picked something cool, like Zorro or something. Not that kids these days even knew who Zorro was. Margaret probably would have though.
Before she had left the Greer’s party that evening, Margaret had given Chris her email address. He had asked for it, under the pretense of wanting to make sure that she got an invitation to his father’s surprise retirement party.
Would that count as a date, Chris wondered? Probably not. He probably should have just been straightforward with her and asked if she’d like to get a coffee and a piece of cake. If was smooth at asking ladies out, though, he probably wouldn’t be in his late thirties and still single.
At least Margaret had seemed eager to give him her email address, plus he was pretty sure that she planned to show up at the party. Chris smiled. He would have another chance to impress her, not dressed like a stalk of asparagus.
He knew for certain that she received a paper invitation to the party because he had dropped them off at the post office himself. Nevertheless, he took the opportunity to write her an email personally inviting her. He sat down at his laptop, stretched, and set to work.
Dear Margaret… he began. Then he sat there staring at the screen. Was that too formal? It sounded formal. He hit delete.
Dear Margaret and Edith…
Dear girls…
Dear Adler girls…
Dear Mama and Baby Adler…
Dear Woman of My Dreams and Her Adorable Offspring…
That last one was
a joke. Feeling like he was fifteen years old again, Chris ran his fingers through his blond curls. Jeez. why was sending a simple, friendly email so hard. He got up and got himself a snack and came back hoping to feel less anxious.
Hi Margaret, Chris here. Just wanted to check to make sure you got the invite to my Dad’s surprise party. I really hope you and Edith can make it. Any chance you’d be interested in grabbing a coffee and maybe some cake any time after work next week? Hope to see you soon, Chris
Before he could chicken out or second-guess himself, he hit Send. He leaned back in his desk chair and laced his fingers behind his head. Before he could even finish his coffee, he had a reply. Silly as it was, Chris could feel his heart racing.
Why was he so wound up about this? He was an adult. Margaret was an adult. They were just two adults making some casual plans. That’s what he wanted to tell himself, at least. He knew it wasn’t true though. He had a huge crush on Margaret Adler and would probably be seriously disappointed if she wasn’t interested.
Well, Chris thought, here goes nothing. He clicked on the message.
Hi Chris, great to hear from you. Yes, we’re looking forward to attending your father’s party very much. And yes, we’d love to meet for coffee. Would Thursday work for you? See you Sunday, Margaret
Yes! Chris did a little victory spin in his office chair. This was definitely a real date. Just remembering Margaret’s warm smile and friendly laugh made him feel all tingly. Remembering her curvy figure didn’t hurt either.
He spent the entire week obsessing over getting every single detail of the surprise party perfect, including his own outfit. He nearly drove his poor sister insane with his repeated second thoughts about the catering, the decorations, and even the music. By the time Sunday rolled around, Melissa was actively avoiding him.