“Not if one parent’s names are unsuitable.” Lolly’s stared at me with fierce, brown eyes. “Can you imagine naming a boy Archibald?”
I hesitated. “Well—”
Lolly cut me off. “And how about Nellie for a girl’s name?”
I gave her a smiling shrug. “They’re both nice names. But you sound like you already know what names you’d prefer.”
“My names make sense. Gerald Jr. would be perfect if we have a boy, and if we have a girl, I like Rose.”
“Are you saying Gerald doesn’t like those names?”
“Oh, he likes them okay, but his hesitation speaks volumes.”
“Maybe he simply likes to be part of the process and wants to contribute.”
“So you’re taking his side? Is that it, Gloria?”
Instead of thinking about Lolly’s question and her harsh voice, I sat back wondering why everyplace I go, people are cranky.
Lolly leaned forward a little. “Earth to Gloria! Why are you sitting there looking all lost?”
I finally stared back at Lolly and tried to explain my attitude. “I just came from Mom’s house. After a few minutes of listening to nothing but bitterness and complaints, I couldn’t take it and left. Now, you’re kind of acting the same way.”
Lolly sniffled. “I don’t want to be like this. And you of all people should understand why I’m acting like I’m acting. You were just complaining about your own worries, that your baby might have a Christmas birthday. But deciding on a child’s name is definitely more important.”
“You’re right. I haven’t been great when it comes to being a helpful big sister. But it’s your fault too. You’re usually a very nice person, a very reasonable person. I’m not used to you being, being so, so—“
Lolly sniffled again and patted her large belly. “I think it’s the pressure. I want to do everything right for this baby. I know Gerald wants the same thing, but he’s able to be more relaxed about it all. As for me, I find myself always worrying.”
I smiled. “If it helps, I have complete faith in you, dear sister.”
“Thanks, but now I have another question. Why did you come here instead of talking to Stanley. He’s always been very helpful.”
I looked out the window and noticed the barren branches of several trees in the back yard. They had a wintery, stark look, but I knew they’d give the yard lots of shade in summer.
Lolly interrupted my dreams of a summer barbecue. “Gloria, you’re avoiding my question about Stanley. I hope you two are getting along.”
I let out a heavy breath. “I’m upset with him, too.”
“Really? What did he do?”
“He was putting up outside decorations with his dad, and the two of them were arguing. When I looked at Stanley’s face and then looked at his dad’s face, I could see a common determination to be right about what they thought.”
Lolly looked back with confusion. “So?”
“So what if he turns into Stan Sr., a guy who can be very set in his ways and wants others to always agree with him. What if I end up having to fight with Stanley as time goes by? What if he becomes inflexible like his father?”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“How do you know that?”
“Because I know you, and I know Stanley. You two respect one another, and if there’s a problem, you talk things out. As for arguing with his father, maybe Stanley is upset about the current situation with his parents. From what you’ve told me, his mother has never really believed enough in herself when it came to her marriage. Her running away may be a triggering agent for Stanley, making him want to establish a stronger position with his father.”
I blinked back. “Wow, all those psychology courses you took in college have paid off. You make a lot of sense.”
“Gloria, I think Stanley needs you right now. He needs to know it’s okay to take a more assertive position with his dad.”
“I see your point, but what about Mom? I thought she was doing so great, getting a life, and feeling good about herself. But today, she was this, this dependent, needy type of person who has a terrible attitude about her relationship.”
