Page 28 of A New Year In The Presidential Suite

Lori sat on the couch in the living room, enjoying the bantering, food, and company. When she was younger, she’d been tempted to move into the city, but something about the friendly town had held her back. She’d reasoned she could travel there any time she wanted, but she couldn’t duplicate the sense of community anywhere else.

Cara Trainor, her high school friend and co-worker at Bright Beginnings, sat down beside her. She nudged her and whispered, “How was your hot date?”

“It was fine,” said Lori.

“That bad, huh?” said Cara.

“No,” said Lori, horrified at the idea of that thought being spread around. “It was a very pleasant time. I haven’t seen him in fifteen years. What did you expect?”

“I thought it would be much more than pleasant,” Cara said softly.

A neighbor took the remaining seat on the couch, and the conversation about Lori’s date ended.

Flo came into the room and sat in the comfortable armchair by the fireplace, lowering herself with an audible groan.

“I can’t imagine being like that,” Cara whispered to Lori. “Poor thing. She looks like she’s carrying a football player, not a baby. And a girl at that.”

“She’s more than ready to deliver,” said Lori. Flo did look uncomfortable.

Sarah sat on the floor next to Flo, threading ribbons from packages through a hole in a paper plate, creating what would become a flower arrangement by the end.

Lizbeth handed the gifts to Flo.

It seemed to take forever until Lori’s mother signaled for her to go get the dollhouse with Aurelia.

They went to the laundry room and took out a red wagon on which they’d placed a wide board holding the dollhouse.

Together, they wheeled the wagon into the living room.

When Flo saw them, she burst into tears of surprise and joy. Anxious to see it closer, she struggled to stand. As she did, she cradled her stomach and gasped, “Oh, no!” and quickly headed to the bathroom. But before she could get there, fluid streamed from her body onto the wooden floor.

Lori’s mother rushed to her. “Come, let’s see what I can do to help you.” She turned to the others. “Help yourself to more food and drinks.”

The women stayed long enough for Lori to announce that Flo was leaving to go to the hospital.

Flo’s husband, Blake, arrived and, with Lori’s help, got her into his car. As principal of an elementary school in the next town, he was used to crises and handled the situation calmly.

As they drove off, Lori stood with her mother and sister, watching them go.

“That’s one way to end a baby shower,” said Aurelia.

“Let’s hope everything is all right,” said her mother. “Flo’s contractions were coming pretty fast. She’ll be much more comfortable in the hospital.”

“I can’t wait to see this baby. She’s a sassy one already,” said Lori, and the three of them laughed.

“I’ll never look at that dollhouse without seeing Flo’s reaction to it. Tears of joy and a baby announcing herself,” said Aurelia. “Now let’s go clean up.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

LORI

That evening, Lori stood by Flo’s hospital bed and watched her sister unwrap the blanket around the baby so they could see that she had all ten toes and ten fingers.

“Isn’t she beautiful?” Flo said. “She looks like Blake, and she has his red hair.”

Lori held back any momentary feelings of jealousy. She was truly happy for her sister. “Have you decided on a name for her?”

“After seeing her, I love the name Eloise,” said Flo. “Don’t you think that suits her?”