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“I said,” he cleared his throat again. “I’ve decided to get married.”
Nobody spoke for a moment. Four boys sat open-mouthed. “Does that mean we’ll have a new mama?” Matt wanted to know.
“Yes.” Nate’s voice strengthened. “You’ll have a new mama.”
“I like mamas.” Luke wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “They bake cookies, and kiss you goodnight. Sarah says her mama reads story books to her, too.”
“Is she pretty?” John asked.
“Well, I’m not rightly sure. I didn’t get a picture of her, just letters.”
“Where is she now?” Matt shoved the last of his cookie into his mouth.
“Right now, she’s on her way here. She’s coming all the way from New York City.”
“New York City?” Luke and John said at the same time, eyes wide. “That must be a million miles away.”
“No.” Nate chuckled. “Not a million miles, but a long way. Clear across the country.”
“What’s her name?” Luke climbed down from his seat and wiggled onto Nate’s lap.
Nate played with the soft, silky hair on his son’s head. “Her name is Angelina. Angelina Hardwick. However, she tells me she likes to be called Angel.”
“Angel?” John rolled his eyes, blushing.
“Is she an angel like our mama?” Luke’s serious eyes stared at Nate.
“No, son, she’s not an angel like your mama. Your mama is an ang
el in heaven. This Angel is right here on earth.”
Mark hadn’t said a word. Nate turned to him. “Mark, what do you say about this?”
“I don’t want no gol-darned new mama.” Red-faced, the boy pushed back his chair and ran from the room.
Nate sighed. One out of five wasn’t bad. He placed Luke on his feet and began collecting dirty dishes from the table. “All right boys, get washed up and into bed. It’s getting late.”
The boys dragged their feet, never anxious to end their day. Nate walked to the window, and, hands shoved into his pockets, stared at the darkening sky. This had not been an easy decision. Six months wasn’t a long time to grieve a wife of ten years, but his life had begun to fall apart.
His marriage had been satisfactory, if not great. Lonely after leaving the army, and miles from his home, Amy had filled a hole in his heart. He tried not to dwell on whether he would have married her if she hadn’t become pregnant. She did, so he did, and five kids later, here he was, ready for a new wife. He sighed and turned back to the table, grabbed the rest of the dishes.
He still had to deal with the no diaper issue, so he stacked the dishes in the sink. Mrs. Darby, his neighbor and sort-of housekeeper, would wash them in the morning. Julia-Rose grunted and thrust her head back, wiggling to get out of the chair.
“Come on, baby, bedtime for you, too.” He undid the strap, picked her up, and hugged her chubby little body to his chest.
What is that?
He gaped at the warm, wet stream running down his leg from underneath Julia-Rose’s nightgown.
“Mama.” She smiled up at him. Then with the spoon she still held in her hand, she smacked him in the eye.
