Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 86126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86126 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 431(@200wpm)___ 345(@250wpm)___ 287(@300wpm)
“She’s going to be so much help,” I said, reaching out to give my sister’s forearm a squeeze. “Even Ariel was a huge help and she was only two when Diana came.”
“I just hope she’s not jealous,” Esther said with a shrug. “She’s been an only child for so long.”
“Well, she’s getting some practice now,” Titus murmured, tipping his head toward the living room.
Flora was busy admonishing Diana for pulling apart a crayon.
“You’re welcome?” I added with a sigh. “I should probably go in there.”
“I’ll go,” Titus said, getting to his feet. “You guys drink your tea.”
I looked at Esther and when she didn’t argue, I didn’t either. It felt very strange to have Titus going in to keep an eye on the girls while we sat there doing nothing.
“He’ll sit on the couch and make sure they aren’t climbing the walls,” Ether told me after Titus had gone. “If he minded, he wouldn’t have offered.”
“I don’t think Caleb ever watched the girls,” I replied quietly, looking over my shoulder toward where Titus had gone.
“The Hawthorne boys pitch in,” Esther said, lifting her tea to her lips. “All of them do. That’s just how their family is.”
We were quiet for a few minutes while I digested that. In the community Esther and I had grown up in there were very clearly defined roles for men and women. If the children were old enough and there was a place for the women in a family or church owned business then both husband and wife worked, but household chores—including taking care of any children—were the woman’s responsibility. Always.
“I’m looking forward to this appointment with the midwife,” Esther said, breaking the silence. “I’ve been so exhausted lately. I don’t remember being this tired with Flora.”
“You didn’t have three extra people in your house then,” I pointed out.
“Please.” She waved the words away. “You’re so much help, I’m doing less than I ever have.”
“You should have told me that you were that tired,” I scolded. “You should start napping when the girls do.”
“Ha!” She shook her head. “Give up that hour of quiet? No way. I’ve probably got low iron or something.”
“Is that something that happened with Flora?” I asked curiously. My pregnancies had always been pretty easy. I’d barely had to change my routine at all. With Ariel, I hadn’t even known that I was supposed to be taking prenatal vitamins.
“Yeah, but not this late,” Esther said, rubbing her belly. “Did you get your appointment set up with Andrea?”
“The midwife? Yeah. Week after next.”
“Did you know she delivered Myla?” Esther asked with a smile.
“Otto’s sister Myla?”
“Yep. Well, from what I understand, she got there right after Myla was born—Tommy actually delivered her.”
“No way.” My mouth dropped open in shock. I liked Titus and Otto’s dad a lot, but I couldn’t imagine him delivering a baby. To call him rough around the edges was an understatement even after witnessing how much he loved and cared for his family.
“I don’t think it was planned,” Esther said drolly. “But Andrea is great. You’re going to love her. She’s been delivering babies forever. We’re in good hands.”
“I’m sure I’ll like her fine.”
“Did you have a doctor or a midwife last time?”
“Midwife,” I murmured, remembering Diana’s birth. I’d spent the entire time worrying about Ariel while she was with my mother-in law. “There are a couple in the community.”
“Was she even licensed?” Esther asked sharply.
“How would I know?”
Esther sighed. “Probably not,” she grumbled, getting to her feet. “Are you done?”
I handed her my empty mug without a word. I’d learned over the past couple of weeks to let her stew for a few minutes when she got that expression on her face. Esther hated anything to do with our family and the church we’d belonged to. I understood it, I’d just never had such strong feelings about any of it. Was it the kind of life I would’ve chosen for myself if I’d ever been given the choice? No. But there wasn’t any use in lamenting any of it.
We’d both gotten out.
“I’m going to check on the kids,” I told Esther as she stared out the kitchen window.
When I walked into the living room, Titus was sitting on the floor, his legs stretched out under the coffee table and Diana on his lap.
“That’s purple,” he was telling her patiently.
“I like red,” Ariel said, sitting across from him. “Red is my favorite color.”
“My favorite color is black,” Titus replied.
“My favorite is pink,” Flora added, looking up from her spot next to Titus. “Like peonies.”
“Peonies, huh?” Titus replied. “Like the flower.”
“The ones by the porch,” Flora confirmed.
“There’s red flowers, too,” Ariel said quickly. “Like, um—”
“Zinnias,” Flora said, her eyes on her paper.
“Yeah, zinnas.” Ariel nodded.
“Zin-ee-uhs,” Flora corrected.
Ariel ignored her.
“I don’t know anythin’ about flowers,” Titus said, readjusting Diana on his lap. “You guys are smart.”