The Birth of Winthrop

Uncle Maddy Chapter 2

I own no characters from the Music Man but I do own Ethel's mother and Mr. Madison.

8th grade seemed to fly by pretty quickly for Marian. She was excited about starting high school in the fall. She remembered what Mr. Madison had told her about the library and the job she'd get when she was sixteen. She told her best friend Ethel Tofflemeyer about it.

"That's pretty cool. You love to read so that will be a great job for you."

"Have you met Uncle Maddy?" Marian asked

Ethel nodded. "He's been at a few of your birthday parties. He's pretty nice. Is he really your uncle?"

Marian shook her head. "Nope. He's not directly related to us. He's Daddy's best friend from college. He's pretty much like my uncle though."

"Are you nervous about starting high school in September?"

"Sort of. I can't imagine it will be much different than middle school though."

Marian turned fourteen in October. She was excited that in two years she would start her job at the library a place she had grown to love over the years.

Ethel and Marian were in lots of the same classes in school. One day when they were doing homework in the library after school Ethel looked at her friend curiously.

"Are you going to the Halloween dance next weekend?"

Marian shook her head. "Probably not."

"How come? It will be a lot of fun. Alma and Maud are going too."

Marian looked down at the table. "No boy will ask me to go."

"So what? We can all go together. Come on. It will be fun. You don't want to be home by yourself on a Friday night do you?"

Marian shrugged. "You have a good point. Sure, why not? I'll go."

Marian smiled. She was really excited to go to her first high school dance.

The gym was decorated in a carnival theme for the dance.

"Wow, the student council did a great job with the decorations." Alma said.

Maud nodded. "They sure did. Come on. A really good song just came on. Let's dance!"

The evening flew by and pretty soon Mrs. Hix was waiting outside in the front of the school to pick them up.

"How was the dance girls?"

"Lots of fun!" Marian said.

"Yeah. Mom. We had a swell time."

When Marian got home she entered the house through the side door that led into the garage. Her mother was sitting in the easy chair reading a book.

"How was the dance darling?" her mother asked

"Great Mama! We had a really good time. Lots of great music. I can't wait til the next one!"

"Sweetheart I've got something I need to tell you."

Marian looked at her mother curiously. "What is it Mama?"

"Well, my dear I'm pregnant!"

Marian's eyes grew wide. "Pregnant? Really?"

Her mother broke into a wide grin. "That's right. In the spring or summer you'll have a new brother or sister."

Marian looked at the ground..

"What's the matter?"

Marian sighed.. Well for the past fourteen years it's been just me. It will be weird having a baby around."

Mrs. Paroo pulled her daughter close to her and kissed her forehead. "It will certainly be a rough adjustment for you at first... just because we're having a new baby doesn't mean your father and I won't love you any less."

At lunchtime the next day Marin told her friends the news.

"That's so great Marian! " Ethel threw her arms around her friend happily.

"Can we go shopping with you to help you pick stuff out for the nursury?" Maud asked.

Marian smiled. "I'll have to ask Mama but I'm sure it shouldn't be a problem."

"Do you know if it's a boy or a girl yet?" Alma asked.

Marian shook her head. "Mama's only a few weeks along. I don't think we'll know for a couple weeks."

Three weeks later on Thursday after school Mrs. Paroo picked up Ethel, Alma Maud and Marian up from school and they went down town to go shopping for the nursery.

"Congratulations Mrs. Paroo!" Ethel said.

Mrs. Paroo smiled. "Thank you Ethel. This is a very exciting time for all of us."

"Do you know if it's a boy or a girl yet? Alma asked.

Mrs. Paroo nodded. "Yes, we're having a boy."

"Have you started to think of names yet?"

"We're just starting to discuss that actually. What names do you girls like?"

"James." Ethel said

"Patrick, Maud said.

"Samuel." Alma said.

Marian shrugged her shoulders. " I haven't decided on a name I like yet Mama. What names have you and Daddy thought of?"

"Your father would like to name him Edward after him and have his middle name be Humphrey after Mr. Madison." Mrs. Paroo said.

"Does Uncle Maddy like that idea?" Marian asked.

Mrs. Paroo smiled. "He does very much. He looks forward to having a nephew."

On Christmas Eve Mr. Madison came over to the Paroos house for Christmas dinner.

"Hi Uncle Maddy!" Marian said hugging the older man tightly.

"Hello my dear, I hear you're going to have a new brother or sister in six months or so. You must be very excited.."

"At first I wasn't but now I am. My friends and I have been helping Mama decorate the nursery."

Mr. Madison kissed Marian's forehead. "You are the most caring girl I've ever met Marian. You will be a wonderful big sister."

Things were very busy in the Paroo household with the preparations for the arrival of baby Paroo. Days turned into weeks and weeks into months. Marian was highly anticipating the arrival of her little brother or sister.

One April afternoon Mrs. Tofflemeyer came to the school to dismiss Ethel and Marian around 12:30. When the two girls got to the office Mrs. Tofflemeyer was all smiles.

"Marian your little brother was born at 10:15. Your father called from the hospital and told me to come pick you girls up so you can visit your mother."

Ethel hugged her friend tightly "Congratulations!"

"Thanks! This is so exciting!"

The drive to hospital was brief. At the reception desk Mrs. Tofflemeyer said to the receptionist. "Can you direct us to the Paroo's room please?"

The receptionist nodded her head. "Yes ma'am. Mrs. Paroo is in room 224."

"Thank you."

Marian's father met them at the door to the hospital room. Mrs., Tofflemeyer leaned over to kiss Mr. Paroo's cheek.

"Congratulations Edward. You and Catherine must be so excited."

"Thank you Erica. We're thrilled. Marian, sweetheart come inside and meet your new brother."

Mr. Paroo took his daughter's hand and led her into the hospital room. Mrs. Tofflemeyer and Ethel followed behind.

"Hi Mama." Marian whispered.

Mrs. Paroo kissed her daughter's cheek. Hello dearest. Meet your little brother Winthrop James Paroo,"

Marian was breathless.

"Wow, he's so tiny." Ethel said. "Mama, was I that small when I was born?"

Mrs. Tofflemeyer nodded. "Yes sweetheart you were." She walked over to Mrs. Paroo's bedside and squeezed her hand tightly. "He's absolutely precious Catherine. Congratulations!"

Mrs. Paroo smiled at her friend. "Thank you Erica. We're over the moon with him."

Marian leaned over the bed rail and kissed her little brother's forehead softly.

"Welcome to the family Winthrop," she whispered.