Wednesday Jan 1 2020, Levee

Bobbie awoke at her usual time feeling well rested and got up to feed Fossie. It was unusually quiet because Maddy spent the night with Charlie’s family. She stopped at the door of the little pink room. Bobbie originally planned to have it as a spare room for Suzy. Currently Maddy slept in the little bed and there was a little trundle bed for when Suzy visited but that wasn’t ideal.

She remembered the small bunk beds in her storage container. Eddy and Charlie slept in them when they were little and Walt and Clayton slept in them when they were small and visited Bobbie and Alex while they lived in Citadel City.

Bobbie found them in the classified ads (back then). They were rather beat up and cost 20 dollars. They had small foam mattresses. Bobbie refinished the frames and was going to try to make new mattresses. Eventually she decided to get them custom made, for a small fortune. One afternoon they went into a Navy Surplus store and discovered that some cabins on navy ships had bunks with narrow mattresses that fit her little bunk beds and there was a selection at the store. They found two clean ones that were almost new. They cost 10 dollars each and finished off the bunk beds. In the end Bobbie had to make custom sized sheets though.

Bobbie got dressed. Driving down to the container, she thought it would be a nice surprise to have them all set up when she brought Maddy home. She found them right away and in a few minutes she was back at the motel. By then, Effie was there she and helped her load the beds into the elevator.

Bobbie thanked Effie for her help, “I didn’t even think you were working today, Effie.”

“I’m not, officially. I was headed out for some errands and decided to come and check on things.”

“Well, that’s lucky for me. Do you think Maddy will like the little bunk beds?”

“I think she will. I bet she picks the lower bunk.”

Effie went on her way and Bobbie loaded the toddler bed and trundle into her car to take it down to her storage. It was getting close to 11:00 so she hurried so she could get ready and get to her mom’s by noon.

Her mom and Linda were both in the kitchen when Bobbie arrived. They had 4 big crock pots plugged in to warm the chowder. Bobbie’s job was to bring the biscuits. Mark insisted on making them so Florence pulled on her coat and went out to the car to help Bobbie carry them in.

“Linda and I are almost ready. This is a smaller party. I haven’t invited anyone from the university or hospital board or the Planned Parenthood board. It’s just family and close friends.”

“That’s nice Mom, you will still have a full house. Are Dean and George and Sam coming?

“Dean’s been feeling poorly but he’s coming with George.”

“Oh, that’s too bad. Is he less independent now?”

“Yes, sadly I don’t really like driving too far so we don’t do as much together any more. I’m going to have to find someone younger like you did, Bobbie.”

“I’m not swearing off having a relationship ever; but for the next few years I’m going to concentrate on being the best Gramma to Maddy and all my other grand kids too.”

They carried the 4 dozen biscuits into the kitchen and Bobbie’s phone dinged. It was Charlie saying that Maddy wanted to come over now but June wasn’t ready and could Bobbie come get her.

“Mom, I’m just going to run to Charlie’s and get Maddy; I’ll be back soon.”

Bobbie walked into Charlies and a teary Maddy ran to her and grabbed her legs. A teary Suzy was nervously stepping from one foot to another beside them. Bobbie knelt down and hugged Maddy and put her other arm toward Suzy. Suzy looked at her mom quickly and ran into Bobbie arms. She started crying for real and sobbed. “I’m sorry Maddy.” Maddy patted her arm but didn’t say anything. Bobbie held them both for a minute and then let them go.

“Maddy, can you please go get your things?” Both girls went upstairs and Bobbie stood.

June was looking flustered. “I don’t know why she said it, Bobbie. I know she didn’t mean it. I don’t know what to say?”

“What happened June?”

“Suzy was mean to Maddy. I heard her taunt her, and say, your mother is dead and mine isn’t.”

“Oh, that is pretty mean. She probably didn’t mean it. Maybe it’s my fault. I have to be mother and father for Maddy but I’m still Suzy’s Gramma. Maybe Suzy feels jealous or neglected.” Bobbie was for sure putting this in her journal.

“No Bobbie, Suzy is worried about me and my pregnancy. Maybe she imagines I’m sick and going to die.”

“Poor lamb. Maybe I should have Suzy over to the motel a bit more often.” Bobbie was thinking of the bunk beds.

“Or you could drop off Maddy for the day, every day. So you can get your life close to normal.”

The girls returned and Suzy hugged Maddy and whispered “I’m sorry”, again.

“We’ll let bygones be bygones, right girls? We’ll see you at Gramma-Greats. I love you guys.”

Bobbie and Maddy left. Bobbie decided she wasn’t going to bring the taunting up in conversation unless Maddy wanted to.

Bobbie and Maddy got there and people were all ready arriving. The gang from the motel was there. Will and Quinn and Ray and the twins were there with Will and Quinn’s parents. Will and Quinn’s dad was Bobbie’s Uncle Gary. She hugged Gary. “Hey Gary, I haven’t seen you in ages. Look, I’m really sorry to hear about Lisa. I knew she had cancer years ago, when Will and Quinn were kids, but Will tells me it’s back.”

“Yes, ironically the year we decided to retire to be more involved as grandparents, she’s sick all over again. She’s really tired of it all. She’s thinking of getting MAID this time. It’s hard to talk about but we’ve all discussed that we don’t want her to suffer anymore…she’s in the bathroom right now. She wanted to come today to see everyone and…”

Gary hesitated, unable to continue and Bobbie patted his hand in understanding. His wife Lisa came down from the bathroom. Bobbie moved toward her and hugged her and whispered, “It’s nice to see you, you look great.”

They chatted for a while and Maddy came and stood between Bobbies legs. “So, Gary and Lisa I’d like to introduce you to my granddaughter Maddy. She’s living with me now.” She squatted down and picked her up. Maddy looked shy but she leaned over and kissed Lisa on the cheek. It was very odd. Then Maddy waved and wiggled free and slid down to make her way up to the den and the TV. “Well, I’d better go help Mom with the chowder.”

She made her way to the kitchen and saw that Jane and Mark and her mom were chatting, drinking spritzers and had the warm biscuits and chowder almost ready. The house was filling up. Eddy and Charlie arrived with all their kids.

Bobbie saw Trixie, Barb and Greg talking to George and Sam. Bobbie poured some wine and went over. Bobbie pulled Trixie over to the side. “Gary’s here with Lisa. Her cancer is back and she’s here to say goodbye. We have to be cheerful. For her.”

Trixie nodded, “Russ is in town and he’s bringing Stewart and Donald to play a bit of music. They should be here soon. They talk about your mom’s chowder all year long; they wouldn’t miss this party.”

Johnny’s bringing Marla, his sister, she’s a lovely singer and plays the piano too. She should fit in just fine.

Barb came over and asked. “What are you guys talking about?”

Bobbie smiled. “You know our uncle Gary? Well, his wife is sick and we have to keep her cheered up so we were talking about the music that’s about to arrive.” Johnny and Marla walked in the front door as she said it.

“Hey guys, Russ and his Grampa Donald and great uncle Stewart are here too and we have some gear to bring in.” Charlie and Eddy and Greg went out to help Johnny, and Bobbie pushed a chair to the side to make a place to set up instruments.

Mark and Jane brought out the food and the party really started. Bobbie concentrated on getting the kids their food. She set up the little ones sitting beside the coffee table and brought cups of chowder and spoons and little paper plates with biscuits. Bobbie wanted to get back to the party but Maddy and Suzy needed supervision and help with the chowder, so Bobbie stayed in the den. She decided she was only going to stay until around 7. Maddy needed her sleep.

She was taking the empty cups back to the kitchen when she stopped. Dr Ethan was there and he was in the kitchen talking to her mother. They looked very friendly. Charlie came out in the hall to move toward the kitchen and stopped to talk to Bobbie. She asked Charlie, “When did Ethan get here? Can you tell me how old he is?”

Charlie rolled his eyes, “Mom, are you chasing after doctors now?”

“Charlie! You know I’m more concerned with being a good Gramma for Maddy. He’s over sixty, right?”

“Yes, I think so why?” He saw she was looking into the kitchen and followed her gaze, saw his grandmother move close to Ethan and put her hand on his arm.”

“Oh shit. I’m sorry Mom, I’m just surprised. Gramma is done with Dean, I guess. Ethan has been at the hospital long enough he would have been there when Gramma worked there, so they’ve probably known each other a long time.”

Bobbie’s brother Jamie joined them in the hallway. “Hi family. What are you guys whispering about?”

He looked over and saw his mother flirting with Ethan and rolled his eyes and turned and went beck into the living room.

Bobbie smiled at Charlie and went into the kitchen. “Hi guys. Dr Ethan it’s nice to see you. Mom, the chowder is great!” She put the cups in the dishwasher and went back out to the living room.

She got talked into singing a song with Johnny and Marla, who was a perfect soprano, while Bobbie was an untrained half contralto, half soprano. Bobbie’s voice was good with Johnny’s though. Marla harmonized with them like a pro.

Eventually Bobbie found a chair and started talking to Barb. “You look so nice today. That skirt is cute.”

“You look great too Bobbie. Did you make that sweater?” Barb touched her arm. “It is so soft. I love the way it’s that light pink with the white fuzzy halo. It looks really nice with those off-white corduroy pants.”

Well thanks Barb. I usually make socks but decided to make a sweater for a change. I have less time to knit now that Maddy is with me.”

Barb said, “Charlie says that you’re going to take her over to Charlie’s most days so you can get back to running your businesses. Rumour has it, the mayor wants you to build more condos.”

Bobbie smiled, “I’m warming to the idea but I’m still worried about Maddy. I’m going to try it this week. June looks like she’s about to burst. Maybe Maddy and I will have to stay over there when the baby comes.”

The kids came into the living room to listen to the music better and Maddy came and sat on Bobbie’s lap. Suzy looked over and wanted to sit with them too. Charlie tried to coax her over to him and she shook her head and Bobbie had both of them on her lap. It was a good thing it was a big chair. Suzy’s reactions today were definitely going in Bobbies feelings journal. So was her mother’s new possibly budding romance.

The girls jumped off Bobbie’s lap and Bobbie encouraged all the grandkids to dance to the music. Russ was playing his fiddle and Jamie was playing his mandolin. They were playing a Scottish reel.

It was getting a bit late so Bobbie made her way back to the kitchen and found Trixie, Barb and Jane had put everything away. Trixie showed a container with chowder in it to Bobbie. “All that chowder and there’s only about 4 cups left.”

“Thanks for cleaning up so well ladies. I think I need to get Maddy back home now. She spent the night at Charlie’s and I don’t know how well she slept.”

Maddy didn’t put up much of a fuss when Bobbie told her they were going. Bobby said her goodbyes and they were going up in the elevator when Bobbie remembered she gave Maddy the new bunk bed. “Maddy, I have a little surprise up in your room. I hope you are going to like it.”

They got out of the elevator and went into Maddy’s room right away. Bobbie turned on the light and Maddy looked at the bed. She went an sat on the bottom bunk. “I have a new bed.”

“It’s called a bunk bed because there is a bed on top too.” Maddy went up the small ladder up to the top bunk and sat on it. She made a noise and Bobbie helped her climb down. “Maybe you can stay in the bottom one tonight and practice coming down from the top bunk tomorrow.”

Bobbie unpacked her little overnight bag and helped her brush her teeth and use the bathroom and tucked her into bed. Maddy was tired and even fell asleep without a story.