November 24
Rosemary threw off the blanket and shifted in the bed. Thinking about the pains of her past, the ones spoken and the ones unspoken yesterday, had welled up in her creating a torrent of sorrow, so much so, she hadn't been able to get a wink of sleep. What if, by chance, this illness wasn't an illness, but instead a sweet and innocent baby growing within her? How in the world could a person like her be a good mother? Rosemary listened to the soft sleeping sounds Lee emitted and felt the sheets ripple up and down with his each breath. Tomorrow. Tomorrow she would tell her husband about the chance of their lives changing. Oh sure, she wished for absolute certainty before telling him, but it was too much for her to shoulder on her own. Especially when she was living under a past no one knew about. A conspiracy of sorts. She rearranged her nightgown about her, as it felt tight around her midsection, making her uncomfortable. What would they all think if they knew?
All too soon, the morning came. Rosemary stretched, if only it was possible to get that kink out of her lower back. Remembering at once her vow to confide in Lee, she turned to his side of the bed. That's strange. His covers were sloppily made up, his night clothes draped on the chair next to the bed. He must have awoken early for breakfast. Goodness knows after all that baking last night she hadn't felt up to making anything and had only offered a plate of cheese, bread, and tea for their simple dinner. Rosemary lugged herself out of bed and wrapped her plush robe around herself. She took a moment to comb her hair and pinch her cheeks. This was, perhaps, going to be one of the most memorable days of her life, if by chance this ailment actually ended up being a baby. Practicing her smile in front of the mirror she widened her smile, too big. Not genuine. A small dainty smile. Too small. Oh, forget all this rehearsing. She was just going to be real with her husband and finally feel the release of this burden on her own. After donning her slippers she walked down the stairs.
"Oh Lee, sweetheart?"
No response. She padded down the stairs, half expecting him to have his face buried in a newspaper over a cup of coffee.
"Lee?"
Walking to the table, she found a note pegged down with a half full coffee cup.
Rosemary,
I know I have been gone a lot lately. Promise I will make it up to you, love. See you tonight. - L
Drat! And finally the moment she had worked up the courage to talk with him about this whole ordeal. She paced back and forth, finally giving into the rumble of an empty stomach. Opening the cupboard and found a day old muffin in the breadbox. Sinking her teeth down into it she barely had time to devise a Plan B before she heard a tap at the door. She threw the door open.
"Lee! I'm so— Oh, Elizabeth. I wasn't expecting you."
"I thought I would come over and get an early start. After all, Thanksgiving is only two days away."
Rosemary swallowed her disappointment. This was not the way she anticipated the start of this morning. But it was almost Thanksgiving, a time to be thankful for all of God's blessings. And she could start with thanking God for Elizabeth, what a sweet and selfless friend. How could Elizabeth be so kind and helpful, even in the midst of one of her hardest trials- being away from Jack, without any promise for his return?
"Oh, that's thoughtful of you. Come in." Rosemary held the door open for her and ushered her inside, where another day of baking commenced without hide nor hair of Lee Coulter until she awakened to his soft kiss on her cheek as he slipped into their bed that evening. Oh, perhaps it was all for the best. Just as soon as she got this Thanksgiving feast out of the way, she would figure out exactly what was going on with her and how to tell Lee.