(Chapter Thirty-One)
The New Family
A few months had passed since baby Gloria's birth, and Elizabeth had her old figure back.
She had bumped into Mrs. Redwood from time to time.
"Hello, Mrs. Redwood," Elizabeth greeted her one day.
"Hello," she answered stiffly.
"Mrs. Redwood, I woud like to invite you and your children over for dinner one night."
"Oh you would, would you?"
"Yes, Mrs. Redwood," Elizabeth was exasperated by the woman's lack of manners, but she tried not to let it show. "How's Friday night?"
"Fine," she replied gruffly.
"Alright, Friday evening at, shall we say 5?"
"Alright," she replied only half thinking. She thought that 5 o'clock was an odd hour to eat dinner, but whatever. At least we get a free meal. Money had been very tight for the Redwood family for many years. Life was not always easy, nor fair.
"See you then," Elizabeth said politely as she skipped away joyfully.
Rosemary was kind enough to watch the baby while Elizabeth was out doing her shopping.
Elizabeth stopped by the Coulter's the pick up Gloria before heading home.
"Oh, I am so glad you're back!" Rosemary shouted as her friend entered the house.
"How was Gloria today?" Elizabeth asked non-chalantly.
"Well, she was a darling but a stinker too. And she slept like a baby!"
"Rosemary – she is a baby!"
"Oh, that's right! I nearly forgot."
"So – what did she do that made her a stinker?"
"Well, she didn't much like her baby mush (personally I don't blame her), so she threw it!"
"Oh, no! Rosemary, she didn't!"
"Oh yes, she did! Got it all over the floor, the walls, the ceiling, me and Olivia, and herself. What a mess!"
"Oh, I'm so sorry, Rosemary," she apologized for her baby's lack of manners.
"That's alright, Elizabeth. Just life with a baby, I guess," she laughed her harsh feelings away. "Gloria is such a cute baby though. The messes are worth it!" she added with another laugh.
"Well, I am sorry, Rosemary. Hope fully this doesn't happen again."
Hopefully, they both thought. Hopefully.
Jack came home a bit eary to find his wife cooking his favorite meal. When she heard the door open, she ran to greet him.
"Hello, darling," she said as she ran across the living room and into his arms for a hello kiss.
"What was that for?" he asked teasingly.
"Do I need a reason?" she teased back.
"No, of course not. Just a greeting like this? Well – I won't complain!"
"Here honey – sit down. Supper's ready."
"Well what do you know – Shepherd's Pie?"
She smiled at him sheepishly.
"How did you happen to know that's my favorite?"
"You're my husband," she reminded him with a smile.
"Oh yeah, that's right," he teased her again.
There was silence for a moment, and Jack had a minute to think. The truth was, he really needed to leave. He didn't have time for this. Not right now, anyways. He had been very busy lately and needed to get some things done quickly. He didn't realize how his absense had affected his wife, so her nexts words took him by surprise.
"And – I love you so much. I never want you to forget how demolished I felt when I learned you were dead," she said seriously.
"Oh – Beth," was all that could escape his tight throat. He reached over the table and Elizabeth met him halfway.
Jack had always felt that when you can't find the words to express your feelings, it is best to just choose an action that best matches your mood. If you can't find the words to tell someone, such as your wife, that you love them, it is best to express your feelings with a hug or a kiss.
"I love you too," was all he could manage to say.
Jack decided that he needed to be here tonight. His plans could wait until tomorrow.
Elizabeth told Jack about the inviting the Redwoods for supper. He was thankful to have the chance to meet the new family.
Elizabeth was starting to get into the mood of "what will I make for supper?" and "will they like baby Gloria?"
She quickly snapped out of it. She would think about those things tomorrow. Tonight was for Jack.