Chapter 2 – A Chat With Mother

Arlington, Virginia, 1976

Tiny dust motes swirled and glittered in the shaft of sunlight pouring through the window, while the soft rhythmic creaking of a rocking chair and the barest whisper of a hum broke the otherwise complete silence. Amanda King slowly rose and carefully placed the sleeping baby in her arms into the crib, smiling as she smoothed Jamie's downy blonde hair. Satisfied that he was sleeping soundly, she tiptoed out into the hallway and peeked into Philip's room, where her three year old napped.

Amanda walked downstairs and into the den, where she settled onto the couch, tucking her legs underneath, relaxing in the quiet.

"Sweetheart, would you like some tea?"

Without turning, Amanda sighed and answered, "That sounds great, Mother. I could use a little pick-me up."

Carrying a small tray of tea and cookies, Amanda's mother entered the room and sat down next to her daughter. Dotty handed her a cup of tea and took one for herself. "So, he finally went down?" she queried as she nibbled on a cookie.

Amanda took a sip of tea, enjoying the comfort and warmth of the liquid, before replying, "Yes, but it was a struggle. He just doesn't like to take naps and I don't know what to do. Philip was such an easy baby, but Jamie, wow, he's tough." She slumped deeper into the couch and remained silent for a few minutes. Then, turning to her mother, she asked, "Are you sure you'll be able to handle the two of them while Joe and I are away?" Without allowing Dotty time to answer she added, "You know, maybe it's too soon for me to take a trip. I'll just call and cancel. Joe will understand; he didn't want to take off work anyway."

Dotty put down her teacup and looking sternly at her daughter began to scold her, "Now you just wait a minute, Amanda. I didn't come all the way to Arlington to stay with my grandsons just for you to change your mind about your vacation. You and Joe deserve some time together, and I think I can manage a one year old and a three year old. Besides, weren't you just telling me how much you were looking forward to going to Hilton Head?"

"Oh, Mother, I do want to take the trip, but I'm scared," she whispered.

Dotty bristled at the perceived insult and demanded, "Amanda, do you think I don't know how to take care of children?"

Amanda placed a calming hand on her mother's arm. "No, no, Mother, it's not you. It's me and Joe. Since Jamie's birth it seems like we're drifting farther and farther apart. He spends more time at the office than he does at home, and when he does come home, I'm exhausted. We barely speak to each other. What if we find out we have nothing in common anymore?" She sighed deeply before turning to her mother, unshed tears making her eyes bright.

Dotty looked at her daughter with sympathy. "You still love him, don't you?" she asked quietly.

Amanda thought about her mother's question. She did love her husband, but lately she felt something was missing from their relationship. She loved Joe, but was she still in love with him? All she knew was the spark was gone from their relationship and she hoped the trip to Hilton Head would help reignite it. And if truth be told, the rift in their marriage had started long before Jamie's birth. Her life's priority was to be a wife and mother; Joe's priority was his job and it always came first. But she answered truthfully when she replied, "Of course I do, Mother."

Dotty breathed out. "And I know he loves you. Go, have fun, rediscover yourselves. Who knows, maybe I'll get that granddaughter I've been wanting."

"Mother!"