Page 3 of Threads of Kindness
“She’s been inconsolable. We gave her children’s Tylenol last night, which provided some relief, but her next dose isn’t due for another hour.”
Maggie heard crying in the background. She drew in a deep breath, hesitated, then continued. “Measles isn’t a possibility, is it?”
“No, Mom, it’s not measles. Julia is up to date on all her childhood immunizations. Her dad is a doctor, remember? He doesn’t think it’s measles. Aaron says it’s just a virus and will clear up on its own. I’m calling you because neither of us wants you or John to be exposed to her.”
Maggie was silent for a moment, contemplating how disappointed John would be to miss Christmas with Julia.
“Thank you for being so thoughtful, honey. You’re right. As much as we both want to see our little girl open gifts, it’s not wise.”
“Julia’s too miserable to open presents this morning, anyway. I don’t know how we’re going to handle the ‘Santa brought you gifts’ thing from last night, but we’ll hold off for a day or two. When she’s better, you can still be here when she opens them.”
“That would make John’s day,” Maggie said.
“Then that’s what we’ll do. I’ve never seen a more devoted grandfather than your loving husband.”
“I guess this means you won’t be attending the Christmas potluck at the Olsson House this afternoon.”
“Aaron thinks we should stay home. He feels perfectly fine, but he said we could be contagious and carriers, so we’ll have to miss it, which makes me sad.”
“I’ve been down in the dumps, too,” Maggie said. “I’ve been saying for weeks how glad I am not to have all the work associated with the Rosemont Christmas potluck, but I woke up this morning in a terrible funk. John helped me snap out of it, but I’m having a hard time hanging on to a positive outlook, especially now that we can’t come see your family.”
Maggie switched the call to speakerphone and began patting herself dry with the towel. “You said Aaron feels fine. How about you?”
“I’m not sure, truthfully,” Susan replied. “I don’t have a fever or runny nose or cough, but I don’t feel like myself either.”
“I noticed you nodding off during church last night,” Maggie said.
“I know, right? It was only seven thirty, for heaven’s sake. I’ve been swamped at work for the past two weeks, but nodding off in church before eight is unacceptable.” She paused, considering what to say next. “I woke up feeling queasy, too,” she admitted.
Maggie inhaled sharply. “Oh, my gosh. Fatigue and an upset stomach … could you be …?”
“I don’t know, Mom. We’ve had so many false starts.”
“Maybe this will be a very special Christmas present for you,” Maggie said gently.
“I thought about that,” Susan said. “I really don’t want to see another negative pregnancy test this week. Aaron and I agreed—we’ll enjoy the Christmas and New Year’s holidays and test againon January second. If we have something to celebrate, we’ll do it then.”
“I’m sorry you’ve had such a difficult time with this, honey. I think that’s a smart plan. Put it out of your mind for now. You’ll have your hands full with a sick toddler, anyway.”
Maggie heard Julia wailing in the background.
“I’d better go, Mom. I didn’t want you and John to drive over here, only to have to turn around and go home.”
“I’ll miss seeing you, honey,” Maggie said. “I think this is the first Christmas of your life that I won’t have been with you.”
“You’re right, Mom, and I’m so sorry. But it’s for the best.”
“John and I will pack up a couple of plates from the Christmas buffet and drop them off for you on our way home. At least you’ll get a Christmas dinner.”
“That would be wonderful. We don’t have much in the house to fix other than the eggs and bacon I was going to make for breakfast today. Plus, we can at least see each other through the window. That’ll count as seeing each other on Christmas.”
Maggie chuckled. “Indeed, it will. Take care of that little girl of ours—and yourself. Let me know if you need anything. We’d be happy to run by the pharmacy and pick up what you need.”
“Will do, Mom, and thanks. Living with a doctor, our medicine chest is well stocked. Depending on how long Julia is sick, I may ask you to drop off groceries for me in the next few days.”
“I’d be delighted to, honey.”
“I’d better go,” Susan said. “I’ll see you later, Mom.”
