Summer on Blossom Street Read Free Page A

Margaret said with exaggerated patience. “She probably has lots of kids and nowhere to place them.Mark my words, she’ll find a reason to leave some needy child with you. And not a baby, either.”
    “Margaret,” I said pointedly, “Brad and I are going to adopt an infant. This social worker, Evelyn, is helping us through the process, nothing more.”
    Margaret didn’t respond for several minutes. Just when it seemed she was prepared to drop the subject, she added, “Finding an infant might not be that easy.”
    “Perhaps not,” I agreed, unwilling to argue. “We’ll have to wait and see what the adoption agency has to say.”
    “It might be expensive, what with lawyers and everything.”
    “Brad and I will cross that bridge when we come to it.”
    Margaret looked away, frowning slightly, as if she needed to consider every negative aspect of this process. “There are private adoption agencies, too, you know.”
    I did know about them, but it made better financial sense to approach the state agency first.
    “What about adopting from outside the country?”
    Margaret was apparently trying to be helpful, but I wasn’t convinced I should let down my guard.
    “We’re holding that in reserve,” I said.
    “I hear it’s even more expensive than private adoptions.”
    “Yes, well, it’s another option to investigate….”
    Margaret’s shoulders rose in a deep sigh. “Are you going to tell Mom?”
    With our mother’s fragile health and declining mental condition it wasn’t something I’d considered doing. “Probably not…”
    Margaret nodded, her mouth a tight line.
    “Mom has a hard enough time remembering that Cody’s my stepson,” I reminded her. On our last visit she’d asked copious questions about the “young man” I’d brought with me.
    My sister swallowed visibly. “Mom didn’t recognize Julia when we went to see her a few days ago.”
    I felt a jolt of pain—for Margaret, for her daughter, Julia, for Mom. This was the first time Margaret had mentioned it. Our mother’s mental state had declined rapidly over the past two years and I suspected that in a little while she wouldn’t recognize me anymore, either. Margaret and I shared responsibility for checking in on her and making sure she was well and contented. These days my sister and I had taken over the parental role, looking after our mother.
    I could pinpoint exactly when that role reversal had taken place. It’d been the day Mom’s neighbor found her unconscious in the garden. She’d collapsed while watering her flowers. Everything had changed from that moment on.
    Our mother had ceased to be the woman we’d always known. Living in a care facility now, she was increasingly confused and uncertain. It broke my heart to see Mom struggling so hard to hide her bewilderment at what was happening to her.
    “Mom will be happy for you,” Margaret mumbled. “At some point her mind will clear and she’ll realize you have an infant.”
    I smiled and hoped this was true, although I had my doubts…and I knew Margaret did, too.
    The bell above the door chimed before we could discuss it further, and I glanced up at an attractiveyoung woman who’d entered the shop. I hadn’t seen her before.
    “Hello,” I said, welcoming her with an encouraging smile. “Can I help you?”
    The woman nodded and toyed nervously with the cell phone in her hand. “Yes…I saw the notice in the window for the Knit to Quit class.”
    “Do you know how to knit?”
    She shook her head. “No…well, some. I learned years ago but I’ve forgotten. Would this class be too advanced for someone like me?”
    “Not at all. I’m sure you’ll pick it up in no time. I’ll be happy to help you refresh your skills.” I went on to explain that there’d be seven sessions and told her the price of the class.
    She nodded again. “You can sign up for the class no matter what you want to quit?” She stared down at the floor as she spoke.
    “Of course,” I assured