It was hard to believe it had been almost six months since Joletta and Annie had been staying with Susan while their mother worked.
The winter had been long and bitter, but signs of spring were now everywhere.
Finally, the snow had all but disappeared. Crocus, tulips, and yellow daffodils were in bloom, and the creeping phlox would soon follow. Soft green moss and tendrils of new spring grass now were beginning to cover the brown winter ground. The air had now taken on a gentle warm fragrance as Spring breezes replaced the long biting winter chill.
Although the girls stayed with her most days now, Susan still adamantly refused to accept any money or payment of any sort. The best that Sandi could get by with was making cookies or special little treats for her, which she did as often as possible. One week it might be homemade fudge or chocolate-chip cookies, another time it might be fresh, warm, whole-wheat bread.
Sandi had learned to cook when she was quite young, and she still enjoyed making things from scratch when she had the time. It wasn’t very often that she had time, but she willingly put in extra effort when cooking for their wonderful neighbor, for Susan was special. It sometimes felt like she was more of a mother to Sandi than her own mom had ever been to her. Joletta and the baby loved Susan like the grandmother they had never had.
Bill and Mary were sitting on the beautiful oak porch swing that had been a gift from Ted several years ago. At one time he enjoyed woodworking, and he had made the swing for Susan as a birthday gift. He now lived in the city and his woodworking tools were in storage.
Susan was sitting with a wiggling Annie on the worn wicker rocker. Samantha and Tiffany, who had been playing a game of pitch and catch in front of the house, ran to meet Joletta and her mom.
“Hi girls, how are you?” Sandi came around the side of the Chevy and patted Sammy’s head.
“Hey, Joletta! We get to go have pizza! Want to come?”
“Yeah! Mom said we get to! What are you guys doing here in the middle of the week?”
“I don’t know exactly, something about dropping off some things that Granny needed.” All three girls started giggling. Tiffany knew very well that she wasn’t supposed to call Susan Granny, but did it anyway just to get a reaction from the grown-ups.
“One of these days you are going to get swatted on the backside for that, young lady!” Her Grandmother smiled as the three of them headed for the backyard.
“Don’t go far girls,” Mary smiled. “We’ll have to be leaving in a short time, or we won’t get back to Avondale before bedtime.”
As the girls headed around the side of the house, Bill said, “You know, Mom. It won’t be long before your birthday.”
“As if I wouldn’t know! People won’t let me forget, for even a moment, how old I’m getting!”
“What would you like to do to celebrate? Would you like to go over to Belleview and eat at Lovella Lounge?” Bill waited for his mother’s response. Lovella’s was where his father had taken her when they were first married, and as small children, he remembered going there on special occasions. It had sort of become a family tradition to celebrate his mother’s birthday at Lovella’s.
“Thanks, Bill. You know how I’ve always loved going there, but this year I think, if it’s OK with you young people, I would like to do something different.”
“And what would that be, Mother?”
“I think a picnic would be heavenly. Do you know how long it’s been since we’ve gone out on a real picnic?”
“Oh, I think a picnic would be lovely.” Mary spoke with enthusiasm. “Don’t you think a picnic is a wonderful idea, Sandi?”
Bill gave his wife one of those looks but knew he had already lost the battle. It was bad enough when his mother got one of her hare-brained ideas, but when Mary got in on it, there was little hope left. It would just be so much simpler if she would stick with what they had done in the past. He saw no reason to change things that already worked. All you would need to worry about would be making reservations. The waiters were always great and the steaks spectacular.
Bill just could not see a reason to change. However, here they were with Mary now sticking her nose into it!”
Sandi wasn’t sure what to say. “I think a picnic would be great, but you certainly don’t have to include us. This is your family occasion.”
“Oh, don’t be silly! Of course, you’ll go!” Susan’s voice did not invite argument. “I wouldn’t have it any other way! The children will have a grand time! Anyway, you have become part of this family. Of course, you’ll have to be there. Surely you know how I feel about you and the girls. Just consider yourselves “adopted.” If anyone asks, just tell them you are one of us.”
Bill and Sandi were speechless!
Mary laughed and said, “Well, I think we had better round up those wild little girls and go get that pizza! It’s getting late.” Susan put her arm around Sandi’s waist as they walked to the cars.
“Can Joletta ride with us, Mom?” suggested Tiffany.
“Sure, honey, I’ll ride with Aunt Sandi and Grandma.”
“Aunt Sandi?” The three girls started giggling and climbed into the car with Bill. Tiffany said to Joletta, “Cool! That makes you and Annie our cousins!”
Sandi had taken a moment to regain her composure after Susan’s comment. No one else could possibly know how much it meant to her when Susan said she was part of her family, even if she did not really mean it. She knew Susan had only said it to make her feel better, but it was nice to hear her say it.
They had all been so kind to her and the girls. Someday she hoped she could do something special for them. It seemed impossible that last year at this time, she had been alone, without anyone to count on. Back then she thought it would be easier to just give it all up and die– if it had not been for her girls– her entire life had changed in the past year, and it just kept changing. She wondered what would come next!
“What was Mom talking about when she called Sandi our Aunt, Dad?”
“Ask your Grandmother, Tiffany. She seems to have answers to everything!”
They did not get back to Susan’s until almost 9:00. It was later than usual for a school night, but they were all enjoying the evening so much, time had just slipped away.
Sandi was tucking little Annie to bed when Joletta came out of the bathroom with her toothbrush still in her hand. “Wasn’t it fun tonight, Mom? Tiffany and Sammy are so sweet, and their parents are really nice, too.”
“It sure was, Sweetheart.” Sandi, still remembering Susan’s comment, went on to say “They are very nice indeed.”