Not a fool this time…. Part 29
Bringing Taren O'Brien home was a pleasant experience for Walter- the first 'family drive'. He took a long, circuitous route through residential streets to get to the house. He noticed Gale looked at him questioningly, "Less traffic this way," he said with a smile.
For one week the three of them were alone in the house. Friends and family allowed them the quiet 'bonding' time. Though Gale's family called seemingly one after another. Gale finally had Walter answer the calls. She chuckled listening to Walter's end of the conversations- if they could be called 'conversation' with the yes, no, terse answers. His end was just- yes, feeding OK, yes, healthy, yes, has a set of lungs, yes, Gale is well, yes, baby is fine. Knowing the long space between Walter's short answers whomever was on the call was gushing emotional baby questions and probably not very happy with Walter's lack of extensive babbling about baby stuff. However, with she and Taren, Walter he was more eloquent in his observations as when Gale and Walter were relaxing on their bed with Taren between them. "I never got into the arts, but am starting to appreciate some of the paintings of the old masters."
"I know you prefer classical music, what paintings in particular?" Gale asked.
"The many depictions of the Madonna and Child, especially those of Titan, Da Vinci, Durer, El Greco, and others," Walter said watching Gale nurse Taren. "Does not compare to the beauty of reality, though. Have you noticed the difference of his behavior depending on who is holding him?"
"Different? How so?"
"When I am holding him he does not wave his arms and feet as he does with you- he is more active with you," Walter observed. "Makes no difference if it is before or after feeding, so hunger isn't the driving force."
"He seems to need changing more with me, too, or is that just my 'luck', I wonder," Gale smirked. "I have been watered twice, now. According to the nurses, boys tend to water their parents quite often."
"How well do they see at a week?" Walter queried extending his index finger for Taren to grasp.
"Unknown," Gale said. "But your lower voice gets his attention." Gale smiled at Walter, "you observe him like the subject of an experiment, Walter."
"I have never been around an infant," Walter said glancing at her then continuing to watch Taren's little fingers on his. "In all my years not one person ever asked me to baby sit, so this a completely new experience for me."
"Do you see how he turns toward you when you speak?" Gale said. "The nurses said they have been hearing our voices for months. I think I got my wish and he is going to look just like his daddy. You are not disappointed are you?"
"How could I possibly be disappointed? He is perfect, he is healthy, he loves you. What could possibly be disappointing in that?" Walter said giving Gale a kiss. "Think he will like math?"
"I am sure he will as most sons tend to emulate their fathers."
"I didn't or I would be tending sheep in Ireland."
"I said 'most' sons," Gale laughed. "You are certainly not like most anyone, my dear Walter. The family will be trooping through this coming week. The quiet family time will be over so you had better prepare yourself."
"Why is it necessary when they constantly call to find out everything that is going on?" Walter asked.
"You are fascinated with the baby so should understand their interest," Gale said.
"They have children of their own, have watched their children grow- this is unknown experience for me, hence the difference."
"It is the 'family bonding' that happens with extended families. As you did not have that early childhood experience of driving big American cars, you did not have the extended family experience as a youngster- especially being the youngest in your family."
"But, you also are the youngest in your family and understand this 'bonding'?" Walter asked.
"Yes, because while am the youngest of my immediate family, I experienced my older brother and sister getting married and having babies they brought around for everyone to coo and babble over." Gale explained. "You will have to put up with the craziness when they start coming through, visiting and making inane noises to Taren."
"I understand Taren will start his socializing from this early age, so will fare far better than I when older and out in the real world." Walter said pensively. "His initial start already will be of benefit, so I will just have to stay back and observe your family interact with him."
Gale laughed at that. "Yes, I will be having a good time observing you observing them. Should you have any questions on this socializing experience, just ask and I will explain, though you may find the explanation lacking in what may be sensible to you… all I can say is that it is due to the 'people factor' which many times leaves you in a quandary."
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Sure enough, the following Monday early afternoon while Taren was snoozing in his basinet by Gale's desk as she was messaging Walter's parents the latest pictures and interesting baby news the first visit started. Gale's oldest sister, Pat, came to see the baby with bags of onsies, booties, blankets, and toys. Walter greeted her at the door and took the bags off her hands, leaving her standing in the living room to say he would get Gale.
In the den Walter told Gale her sister was awaiting her and the baby and that he would continue the message to his parents. Gale gathered up Taren and, giving Walter a kiss, headed to the living room to spend time with her sister.
"I told mom and dad I was coming over this afternoon, so they may pop in as well." Pat said, "so don't be surprised if they show up later. Can I hold him? Ohhh, what a cutie. In that yellow bag on the chair is a mobile of the planets…. thought Walter would like it better than one of fantasy animals."
. "Thanks, Pat. Never thought you would consider Walter in picking out baby toys," Gale laughed. "While Walter is totally new to this experience not having an extended family with flocks of children, he is enjoying the baby…. it is like an experiment to him and he is delighted with every new aspect he sees."
"Ooohh, he sure does look like his daddy- look at those eyes…. going to be a heart breaker, for sure," Pat cooed. "Think I hear dad's car, so be prepared."
The doorbell rang and Walter came out from the den, "sent that off, Gale," Walter said going to open the door. There stood Joe and Judy, Judy with a load of bags of baby stuff.
"Hi Walter!" Joe said. "How about we let the ladies babble over the baby- you can show me the Buick." Joe chuckled seeing Walter's relief, closing the door after Judy and Susan went in to join Pat and Gale. They went to the garage and Walter opened the door to pull the cover off the Buick.
"Gale is looking forward to driving it again- getting behind the wheel the last few months she was pregnant was impossible," Walter said. "She sure likes this little car. She said you had one- this one has the 198 cubic inch V-6….. I assume yours had the same engine?"
"Yup," Joe said. "Actually kinda' surprised you located one- not the most popular car in its day so even fewer held onto much less restored and available now-a-days, may see one of these for every hundred Mustang of the era on the road. This is in better shape than the one I had- bought used and kept running for the work commute. Did enjoy driving it, though, especially with the top down."
"I have no beer in the house at this time," Walter said. "Let me tell Gale we be going to the store to pick some up…. unless you want to go in to get in the circle passing Taren around."
Joe chuckled, "Walter, Judy and I had four kids- got my fair share of shuffling babies with the relatives years ago. Don't get me wrong, like the kiddo's but the first few visits it is best to let the women do their cooing and baby babbling. Go tell Gale we will be back in a bit."
When Walter returned, he gave the key to Joe, "see if it is like you remember," he said and got in the passenger side. "You are right- the women didn't even notice I was there. Thought I got focused on things…."
Upon returning with a twelve pack of beer, two more cars were in the driveway. "That is Susan's car. John is probably anxiously awaiting us so he can get out of the women's circle." Joe said. "He will be very glad to see us, and the beer."
Walter and Joe went in the house to see the living room cluttered with bags, wrappers, baby clothes and toys scattered on tables and chairs, the women all talking at one time, Taren just being handed to Susan by Judy and John standing behind Susan's chair looking relieved to see them enter….. with beer.
Joe raised the twelve pack, "anyone want a beer?"
John raised his hand while the women didn't even pay attention. "Come on John, let's head out to the patio and have a beer." Joe said. Walter handed Joe and John a beer, put the rest in the refrigerator, got himself a cup of coffee then led the way out to the patio.
"Walter, how you holding up with the new addition?" John asked taking a seat at the table by the pool after opening the umbrella. "New baby changes things- the women go into some crazy mode the men folk should just stay out of the way."
"I find the baby interesting- changes daily, but this socializing is as new an experience as the baby," Walter said taking a sip of his coffee. "It certainly is overwhelming."
"Next beer, let's head out to the garage- you need to check out the Buick, John. It is a beautiful example," Joe said. "And I would like to check out the power plant of the Ferrari if you don't mind, Walt."
"Of course not," Walter said. "There is quite a difference between the two in handling, but Gale is used to the American machinery- I prefer the Ferrari performance."
John laughed, "With a Buick, I don't know if you have the 'best' of both worlds, but at least you have good examples of each."
John and Joe finished their beers so the men went through the house to collect a couple more on their way through the kitchen to the garage to check out the cars. Walter did stop for a moment to whisper in Gale's ear that they were going to the garage if she needed him. Then he stood and watched the women talking for a moment before heading to the garage.
Walter opened the garage doors and pulled the cover off the Ferrari then popped the hood. Both Joe and John scoped it out asking Walter about horse power, torque, the range of rpm for shifting and handling characteristics.
Later in the afternoon it came time for everyone to head out to kick up kids so Susan and John left- Susan driving.
"We are going to take off, too, Gale," Judy said holding her hand out to Joe for the car keys. "Walter, you need to stick around next visit. Want to see Taren in a close up with you- he is sure going to be the spitting image of you it seems."
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Within a few minutes the house was emptied of everyone but Gale, Walter and Taren so it was once again quiet and peaceful. Gale gathered up all the new baby things and put everything away in the nursery dressers and closets. Walter gathered up the bags and wrappings to put in the trash compacter. Taren was fast asleep so Gale kicked back with Walter in the den. When she entered, he pushed his chair back so she could sit on his lap. He gave her a kiss and put his arms around her for comfort.
"You sent off that message to your parents, right?" Gale asked. "Sure was a bit of a whirlwind visit, but to be honest, have been surprised they held off for a whole week."
"Is it normal for the visitors to split up- men in the garage, women in the living room?" Walter asked. "When Joe and John went out to the patio they both seemed relieved to be away from their wives."
"Most men are happy to let the women handle the day to day child rearing duties. Especially with new babies- diaper changing, feeding, fussy babies are something to be kept at a distance for most men- the more so when there are other men around." Gale said. "When alone with their wife, the bonding of family takes place. When it comes to larger social gathering, the differences become more apparent as happened today."
"There was a lot of socializing that went on today you may not even have been aware of, Walter." Gale said. "While Taren now has an awareness of others of his extended family and experienced the touch and voices of others, you were part of the socializing of the extended family- spent time with the men of the clan talking of manly things, I am sure."
"The talk was of the cars- mechanical issues." Walter said. "No mention of the baby at all."
"Welcome to family dynamics 101, Walter. Men will be men; women will be women no matter how much some want to change it. The perceived roles of males and females will change- until children are included. Once children are added to the equation, for stability of the clan, roles will be taken on," Gale said with a smile. "Even when the family is made up of same sex parents, a single parent with an older relative- the roles will appear- the male and female handling the child rearing issues. Come my Walter, Taren will be asleep for a while and I want some snuggle time with you while we can. This females needs right now are for her male to pay attention to her and wrap her up in his strong arms."
"This family dynamic is quite different from my up-bringing." Walter said getting up to put his arm around Gale to walk to the bedroom where Taren was sleeping in the bassinet by the bed. "I never really realized how much I missed…. but Taren will have you and your family to make up what I lacked."
"I forgot to tell you, Pat was thinking of you when she bought the mobile for over Taren's crib," Gale said. "You must have made quite an impression on her."
"Why do you say that?" Walter asked. "What did she get?"
"She said she was thinking of you and got a mobile of the solar system instead of fantasy animals to put over Taren's crib." Gale said with a smile. "Taren's introduction to science."
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