Author's Note: I had thought there could be a sequel to "Working Mother" involving Rhoda coming to visit and interacting with her "niece," but I wasn't sure where to go with it. Once the idea came to me, it wouldn't go away, so of course I needed to do it. Not sure how much longer this will be, but I wanted to get what I have up as an early birthday gift for Leigh Ann (leighann415).
"Hiya, kid," Rhoda said. Before she could say another word, she was enveloped in a long hug from her best friend.
"I wish you'd let us pick you up at the airport," Mary said, when she finally let Rhoda go.
Rhoda rolled her eyes. "Please. It was no trouble to rent a car. You didn't think I'd make the top news producer in Minneapolis come to the airport, did you?"
"Well, I don't know about top, but I'd have arranged my schedule for you."
Rhoda was about to answer, but she stopped when a pair of little feet came running toward her. "Hi, Aunt Rhoda!" Four-year-old Melanie stood with her arms open, grinning. She obviously wanted a hug, and Rhoda happily obliged. She loved this little girl like her own flesh and blood.
"I think Melanie was more excited to see you than I was," Mary said, laughing.
Rhoda lifted the little girl. "Have you really gotten this big since I saw you last?" She turned to Mary. "Oh, my God. Did I really just say that? That's what all my mother's relatives used to say when they came to visit. Brenda and I always hated it. Forget I said it."
Mary smiled, grateful that Rhoda was here. Every time they visited, or even spoke on the phone, a flood of memories came back. Even with the distance, Mary was glad that Rhoda was a part of Melanie's life. She had never failed to send a present on each of Melanie's four birthdays.
"I'll play with you later, I promise," Rhoda said to the little girl, kissing her cheek before returning Melanie to the floor. "Right now, I think your mom and I need to catch up."
"I'd love to, Rhoda. I really would. But things are crazy in the newsroom. I have a segment that I'm still working on, and I'm supposed to have it finished in three days. But I want it to be perfect."
For a moment, Rhoda was disappointed. She'd flown all the way here from New York to find out that her best friend didn't have time for her? The disappointment faded quickly when Rhoda remembered how much Mary loved her work, and how good she was at it. She looked down at Melanie. "Well, kid, it looks like I'm all yours, then."
"I know Melanie's glad to see you, but you don't need to play with her all day," Mary said.
"I wasn't really planning to, Mare. I was thinking I could take the kid out for the day. If that's OK with you, I mean."
Mary was tempted to ask where Rhoda was planning on taking Melanie, but she thought better of it. One day of spoiling and junk food wouldn't kill her. "It's fine with me."
Rhoda smiled. She had a feeling this was a day she and Melanie would never forget.