Too-Cute Kitchen Chatter

Too-Cute Kitchen Chatter

The evening was still warm and muggy on this the last summer holiday of the season as Russell Koolridge helped Anna Merriweather from the car into the front door of their shared Victorian home. They'd spent a worrisome day at the hospital awaiting news on the condition of Chrissy, Russell's wife of five months and Anna's granddaughter.

She had doubled over in pain that morning at breakfast and was rushed to the hospital. Emergency appendectomy surgery was necessary but her 20-week pregnancy complicated everything. So far their newly discovered twins were fine but Chrissy would have to limit her activity for the duration of gestation due to placenta previa in which the placenta is positioned low in the uterus and can cause bleeding and other complications.

The doctors and Chrissy finally chased them out of the hospital so they could get some nourishment and rest for themselves.

“I'm starving. Are you hungry, Anna? Let's see what kind of left-overs are in the fridge. There must be some picnic fare since we never made it to the block party.” Russell headed straight to the kitchen. “What specialty did you make for the annual feast?”

“Lots of cut up fresh veggies with dip, watermelon, potato salad and baked beans. Then there are a ton of cupcakes that I was going to frost with either pink or blue frosting once we found out the gender of your baby. Now we found out there will be twins! Do I need double the cupcakes or do I frost half and half? What a dilemma! Such a blessing!” Anna chuckled.

“Do you want me to grill some burgers?”

“Not unless you need something more substantial. Think I'll be fine meatless this time of night. You may disturb neighbors with a fire out there this late.”

“You're right. There is plenty here to sustain me.” He said as he laid out everything for display and grabbed some paper plates. “And no doing dishes either.”

As they tucked into the late night snack the reality of this new situation started sinking in.

“Twins! Can you believe it?” Anna questioned. “Hey, did you find out if they are boys or girls or both?”

“Yes, they will be boys or girls but, you know, I was so excited I never thought to ask which kind, or one of each!” They both shared a laugh, maybe the first one since the rush to the hospital.

“It was so hard to leave Chrissy there. She looked so small and helpless in that sterile bed. But she was begging us to get out of there so we could rest.”

“She always is thinking of others. Even as a little girl she put other people needs before her own. You know, I did call the school and told them neither of you will be coming in tomorrow. It was difficult because no one was in the office on a holiday. You will have to explain she won't be back at all now.”

“It will drive her crazy that she put the burden on a substitute with such short notice. But I bet she has everything for the first month meticulously planned out and written down so anyone can follow it. Very little gets done on the first day so I won't be missed much but the first week is important establishing expectations and all. Even if she stays a few more days at the hospital, I hope I can get in to my classroom later this week.”

“You can't feel guilty. She'll understand and want you to go. She's in good hands at the hospital and she needs her rest. The school will understand and give you time off to bring her home, too. I'll be here for her then when you're away. Don't fret so.”

“Speaking of which. We need to figure out how we're going to accommodate her need to be downstairs to minimize her activity.”

“I don't see much problem. We will switch bedrooms for the time being.”

“That means you will have to be going up and down the stairs all the time, Anna. You okay with that?”

“I'm old but still able-bodied. May even help keep me in shape to run after twins, right?”

“Didn't mean to imply you couldn't manage but it is an inconvenience. I hate that we need to disrupt your life so much. Maybe we need to get a single story home of our own.”

“And deprive me of spoiling Chrissy? Or cuddling those bundles of joy? I won't hear of it!”

“Mostly that's my job, or pleasure, I should say. But I'm pleased you want to help. I still feel bad it will change your plans to go south for the winter or for good if things work out with the mystery man. Want to spill the beans on that secret?”

“Nothing much to spill. The gentleman's name is Andrew Grant. He was a co-worker with my late husband. We used to socialize with him and his wife mostly before kids came along. We lost contact but he is a widower now also. We ran into each other at Bingo several months ago and started up a friendship again. He spends winters in Arizona and is trying to coax me into joining him. If I don't this year maybe another year will work out. Remaining friends and keeping in close contact with one another gives us more time to explore if we both want more. After all, I'm old but still able-bodied.” She winked.

“Oh, Anna, you're the most spry, old able-bodied...”

“Now watch what you call me!”

“I was going to say 'Merriweather' I know. But you're not that 'old', either. 'Young at heart' I would say. It is easy to see why Chrissy loves you so much. I do, too, even though it's only been a few months since we met.”

“Well, when you live with someone, you aught to like them a little. I even like you a little.”

“I know I'm a big clumsy oaf but I'm trying hard to win you over, don't you know. What else can I do to assure I can stay around?”

“Keep keeping Chrissy smiling!”