Page 165 of The Blessings of Christmas
“Does Alex call you Mama a lot?” Josie asked. She’d read that this was a very important part of child development.
“When he feels like it. One morning I threatened to withhold cereal from him if he didn't,” Emily said matter-of-factly.
Stepping back a bit, Josie studied her friend’s chest. “I guess it worked. At least you're not wearing his breakfast today.”
“Glad to hear it.” Emily casually dusted a hand over her T-shirt, as if she wanted to make sure.
“What about Daddy?” Bryn asked. “Trevor can't wait until Sheldon calls him Daddy.”
Emily’s face crunched into a frown. “Not happening. Not yet anyway. And Jackson is really bummed about it.”
“But everything happens in time, doesn't it?” Josie asked. A million things raced through her mind. Malcolm had been acting so strange lately. Secretive.
Narrowing her eyes, Emily turned. “Yes, if you work at it.”
Josie refused to look at her. Hadn’t she been trying? Didn’t she struggle every morning with eyeliner that wouldn't go on straight and mascara that clumped? Didn't she persevere with the luminescent makeup that made her look like a light bulb instead of a woman glowing with joy from within? And she wouldn't even think about her glossy lips that felt sticky every time she swiped them with her tongue.
Totally oblivious to the tension swirling around her, Bryn asked, “How are the Christmas Wishes coming this year? The ones that came to the pantry from the clinic? Are we going over to Open Hearth again on Christmas day to see people open our gifts?”
“Of course we are. At least I plan on it.” Josie couldn't imagine Malcolm bringing his mother over there, but she thought her parents would enjoy it. She'd been so happy when they agreed to come. They’d almost reached the harbor and fresh air bathed Josie's face. “The women who come to Victoria's Pantry are planning on it, including your neighbor Miss Charlotte, Emily.”
“Oh, I wonder if Miss Charlotte will become engaged this Christmas.” Emily had stars in her eyes.
“Have you had some indication that she will be?” Josie almost fainted from shock. How old was Miss Charlotte anyway? In her seventies? Or eighties? And this would be what, her second or third husband?
Time was passing Josie by.
Emily seemed unaware of the horrible thoughts that had slowed Josie’s steps. “Two of Victoria's younger customers have offered to help Phyllis with the Christmas brunch. From what I hear, there have been lots of calls about pastries and other taste treats for the holiday menu.”
“That sounds nice.” But Josie was still in shock. They had reached the broad, wooden swings and Josie was the first to take a seat. Bryn settled next to her on one side. Sheldon was still asleep, his tiny fists curled up under his chin. Emily picked up Alex from the stroller. He wanted to sit on her lap and look around with his bright eyes. Josie had to smile at the sounds that kept bubbling from his lips as he pummeled the air with his tiny fists. None of them made any sense, but when they did, this little guy was going to keep everybody busy.
“How is the reading going during library hour or whatever you call it?” Emily asked.
“Going great. The children seem to love it. We're now offering bilingual Christmas hour at the clinic. And Eileen wants to extend that possibility to the Sweetwater library.” Josie had been delighted by the suggestion.
“What do you mean by that? I must be out of the loop.” Bryn had turned.
Briefly Josie explained how the process was working. Malcolm was very involved in it. She hoped that Eileen's feelings weren’t hurt because the children seem to prefer Malcolm’s presentations. Not only did he speak Spanish fluently, but he was so dramatic when he read the stories.
“The people must love it.” Emily said with a sigh, grabbing her little boy’s hand as he yanked on her hair. “Food and books. What a great combination.”
“Whatever happened to our book club?” Bryn asked woefully. “We haven't met in a long time.”
“Babies,” Emily said. “That's what happened. Babies and no time. I still have to write my blog, you know. I'm not giving that up.”
“When will you become a stay-at-home mom?” Bryn asked.
“Iamworking from home, remember? Alex is often in the room with me.” She rolled her eyes. “I use a dictation program and one of my readers asked me how ‘throw-up’ figured in one of my recipes. Apparently I hadn't put my dictation system to sleep and I must have been cleaning up one of my little boy's messes. My conversation got mixed up. Didn't it, sweetheart?” Here she grabbed one of Alex's flailing hands and shook it gently. He rewarded her with a gummy smile. “Mama,” he said clearly. Emily smiled lovingly at her son.
Josie’s heart squeezed, hearing those words. Had the season always been so full of babies? Maybe she’d just never noticed.
“And how are you and Malcolm getting along?” Emily asked, trying to untangle Alex's fingers from her hair.
“Great,” Josie said, almost too pertly. “He's brought so much to the library, especially in regard to the reading program. Our website has never looked so good. Why, our attendance has gone up. Other years people were too busy with Christmas activities to come to the library. But not this year.”
Emily gave Josie a sour look that told her that wasn't the information she needed. And Emily was known for her persistence. “And how about you two? You and Malcolm. How is that going? Love your new running clothes by the way.”
“Me too,” Bryn chimed in. “I want one of those racerback tops.”
