"I can't believe her!" Elizabeth exploded after the Longworths had left. "Our son could have been seriously hurt, and all she cares about is my tone of voice!"
"Well, babe, it was just an accident." Paul massaged his wife's shoulder. "Don't worry. She'll get over it."
By now Max's sobs had dwindled, and he was petting Heidi, who'd come over to investigate. With a sigh, Elizabeth stood and helped her husband clear away the dirty dishes and torn wrapping paper, then picked her son up and carried him back inside. For the rest of that afternoon, she and Paul played with Max to keep him awake. When it was nearly dark, she made sandwiches for herself and Paul and fed Max bite-sized meat and vegetables. Later, she gave her son a bath and put his pajamas on him, then read him a story and put him to bed.
"I guess it's all right to let him go to sleep now," Elizabeth said as she and Paul stood in the doorway of the nursery watching him.
"I would think so," he agreed. They stood watching their son for a few minutes more, then moved into the living room and sat on the sofa, where Elizabeth burst into tears right away.
"Darling..." Paul pulled his wife into his arms.
"Everything was just so perfect until that had to happen!" Elizabeth cried.
"But it's all right now," Paul pointed out. "Max wasn't really hurt."
"But now Erin's mad at me, and I feel bad about the way I yelled at Vivi. I know she didn't mean to hurt him."
"No need to feel bad." Paul kissed the top of her head. "You only reacted as any concerned mother would have. It's perfectly understandable." His finger stroked her cheek. "Come on, let's go to bed now. You'll feel better about it in the morning."
The next day, Elizabeth went by the Godsey's and bought a small rag doll. "It's for Vivi," she told Cora Beth, who gave her a puzzled glance. "I hurt her feelings yesterday at Max's birthday party, and I'm hoping this will cheer her up. How's Aimee?" She hadn't spoken to her old friend in awhile.
"Oh, she's fine! She has an apartment of her own in the city now, and she's been seeing the most delightful young man. He's a banker."
"That's good." Elizabeth paid for the doll and then made her way to the Longworth home. She arrived to find Erin hanging the wash out to dry. Vivian and Rosemary played at her feet. They looked up as Elizabeth approached.
"Hi, Aunt Lizzie." Vivian waved to her, but she didn't smile.
"Hi, sweetheart." Elizabeth smiled and held the doll out to her. "I brought you this."
"Thank you." Vivian took the doll but still didn't smile.
"Hi, Erin," Elizabeth greeted her sister.
Erin continued to work without responding. "I don't really have time to visit right now," she said at last.
Disappointed, Elizabeth returned home and began to prepare dinner. Soon it was time for Paul to come home. "Dada!" Max clapped his hands and ran toward the door when he heard it open.
"Hi there, little man." Paul lifted his son and kissed his cheek, then hugged and kissed his wife. "So how did it go today?"
Elizabeth sighed. "I bought Vivi a doll and took it over there, but Erin wouldn't even talk to me. She said she didn't have time to visit."
"It sounds to me like you've done everything you can." Paul's voice was warm, consoling. I think you just need to give it some time."
"I guess you're right."
Paul grinned. "Of course I'm right!"
Summer became autumn, and the leaves began to change colors and fall from the trees. One morning, Elizabeth was surprised to see Ashley drive up with Vivian and Rosemary.
"I know it's short notice, but I was wondering if you'd be able to watch the girls today," he said. "Erin ate something that didn't agree with her yesterday and was sick all night, and all she wants to do this morning is sleep. I told her I'd ask if you could babysit."
"I'd be happy to," Elizabeth replied. "I sure hope she'll be all right!"
"I'm sure she will be. All she needs is a little rest."
"Hi there," Elizabeth said to her nieces. "What would you girls like to do today?"
"I want to play ring-around-the-rosy!" Vivian cried.
Elizabeth played games with the three children all morning, then fed them lunch and put them down for naps. As it turned out, Paul got home from work before Ashley came to collect his daughters.
"Hi, Uncle Paul!" Vivian shouted as she ran to meet him.
"Well...hello there." Paul just stared, nonplussed.
"Erin was sick during the night, so Ashley asked me to watch the girls this morning," Elizabeth explained.
"I see. Well, how did it go?"
"We had a lot of fun together, didn't we, girls?" asked Elizabeth. Vivian and Rosemary nodded.
That Saturday, Erin and Ashley came over and brought a casserole. "I wanted to thank you for watching the girls the day I wasn't feeling well," Erin told her sister. "And to apologize for being cold to you so long. I realize now that I over-reacted, and I'm sorry."
"That's all right," Elizabeth replied. "I'm just glad you're not mad at me anymore."
"How could I ever stay mad at you?" Erin laughed as she and her sister embraced.
