“They’re both down for morning naps but should be getting up soon,” said Lisa, carefully wrapping Lucinda in a blanket and groaning softly as she lifted her into her arms.
Seeing Lisa carrying what looked like a very large baby, tears came to Hazel’s eyes.
The EMTs talked to the nurse and checked Lucinda, who lay lethargically in Lisa’s arms.Then they led Lisa to the back of the ambulance and put them both inside where they could monitor Lucinda on the way to the hospital.
As the ambulance moved away from the curb, Hazel placed a hand on Jed’s shoulder.“She’s getting the best help she can.”
From the house, Hazel heard a baby crying.“C’mon, Jed.We have work to do.”She didn’t want him to spend the next few hours worrying.The situation was out of their hands.
###
Harry met them at the doorway, holding onto a blanket and sucking his thumb.From a room in the back of the house, Hazel heard the baby crying.
“Jed, take Harry to the kitchen and have him sit at the table in his booster seat.I’ll be back with the baby.”
“Harry needs his diaper changed,” said Jed.
“Okay, but let me check on the baby first,” said Hazel.She walked into the baby’s room and saw him sitting up in his crib.He stopped crying and stared at her.
“It’s okay, Simon, I’m here to help you,” Hazel crooned.She went over to the crib, lifted him, and realized he’d soaked through his diaper onto the little shirt he was wearing.
Knowing she had no choice, she laid Simon on a changing table, and talking softly to him, struggled to change his diaper and clean him up.
Staring at her, he alternated between being fascinated and wanting to cry.
Hazel hadn’t realized she was making all sorts of noises to keep Simon’s attention until Jed, standing at the doorway, said, “What are you doing?”
“I’m trying my best to get him changed,” said Hazel.“Can you grab me a fresh shirt for me?”
Jed handed the shirt to her, “Get his head through it first, then his arms.”
“Thanks,” said Hazel, wondering how often Jed had changed Simon’s clothes.
Once she was done, she headed to the kitchen with both boys.
“I gave Harry some Cheerios,” said Jed.“Lisa gives him some fruit in the morning, but I’m not allowed to use a knife.”
“Okay, I’ll take care of it,” said Hazel, placing Simon in a highchair.At almost a year old, Simon was excited to have some Cheerios too.
Hazel found a half box of strawberries in the refrigerator and cut some up for both little boys.“How about you, Jed?Do you want a snack?”
“Can I have a banana?”he asked, pointing to a bunch sitting on the counter.
“I’m sure Lisa won’t mind,” Hazel said, impressed by the food choices.“Do you always have fruit around?”
Jed nodded.Lisa is a nutra …nutritionis …
“Oh, a nutritionist.That’s nice.”A thought struck her.“Is Lisa a nurse too?”
“Sometimes,” said Jed.“She and Janis help each other.”
Hazel was sitting in the kitchen with the three boys when Janis arrived.“Hi, I got the message about Lucinda and got here as quickly as I could.I’ll take over.”
“Thanks,” said Hazel.“I’ve changed Simon, but Harry hasn’t had a diaper change after his nap.Jed says it needs changing, but Harry was eating his snack, and I didn’t want to disturb him.”
“No problem.I’ll do it when he’s ready,” said Janis.
“I’m going to return to the Sports Center, but will you please keep me informed?”Hazel asked her.
