A couple of weeks later, Emma answered the knock at her door one Friday afternoon to see Aimee Godsey standing there with a tall, dark-haired man. They were both wearing expensive clothing that looked brand new.

"Hi, Emma!" Aimee beamed. "This is my husband, Roger."

"Nice to meet you." Emma shook Roger's hand. "Come on in and have a seat." Charlie dashed up to his mother and stood regarding the newcomers with solemn round eyes.

"I wanna hold Elsie." The three year old pointed up the stairs.

"Would you like some iced tea?" Olivia called from the kitchen.

"Yes, please." Aimee attempted to fan herself with her hand. "It's hot as blazes!"

Ben, John, Paul and Drew burst in and the latter two sat at the table. "Aimee and her husband are here," Emma told Ben as he gave her a quick hug and kiss, then lifted Charlie into his arms and walked into the living room.

John shook his visitors' hands. "I apologize for my appearance. I had no idea I'd be having visitors today."

"Oh, that's quite all right!" Aimee assumed a mannerism that reminded Emma of her mother, Corabeth.


When Aimee and Roger left, in trailed the school crowd. Serena looking bored, Jeffrey mischievous, Ginny cute. When they got to the table, Serena started ranting about how she had a crush on a boy but he didn't like her so she said he was a pig. Emma couldn't remember if she had been like that at fifteen.

Jeffrey said nothing about school until Ginny commented about how he had been bad. But before he could be interrogated by Olivia, Jim Bob arrived with Elizabeth.

"Hello all." She sighed, rubbing at her eyes.

"Aimee is married." Ginny chirped, and looked surprised when Elizabeth groaned. Jonsey and John Curtis ran through the door.

"Mary Ellen is in labour!" Jonsey took a deep breath. "Olivia, Emma, come quick!"