“Valid question.” She got pen and paper from one of the kitchen drawers and started writing things down.
From the other bedroom, which had always been Kyle’s, Kyle’s soft snores could be heard.
Mitch walked over to the Pack ’n Play. Asleep, Ruthie looked more like an angel than ever. He watched her, fascinated by the tiny perfection of her. His grandchild.
Joyce came over, paper in hand. “Here you go. I wrote down the brand of formula Kyle had in the diaper bag so you can get the exact same thing. Also, judging from the look of her, I’d say get the three-to-six-month size if you buy her any clothes.”
“I should, don’t you think? I didn’t see a whole lot in what he brought.”
Joyce shook her head. “No. But there is a bag of laundry. Oh, that reminds me. I have some gentle detergent I can use for her things, but we’ll need more of that.” She took the list out of his hand and went back to the counter to add detergent to the list. “Make sure it’s good detergent. Meant for babies. They have sensitive skin, you know.”
“I’ll get the best they have.”
Smiling, she returned the list to his hand. “I know you will.”
“Anything else I should get?” He scanned the items she’d jotted down. “What size diapers?”
“For a three-month-old. Call me if you aren’t sure. I can text you pictures if need be.” She cut her eyes at him. “You’re sure you don’t want me to go?”
“I can handle it. Unless you don’t want to be left alone with her?”
“Pfft. I’m happy to look after the little angel. You go on now. Get her some supplies. Diapers and formula go fast. I’ll start a load of wash for her.”
“Okay. Thank you.” He exhaled. “This is going to be a big change. I wish Jeanie was here. She would have adored this child.”
Joyce nodded. “She does. I know she’s looking down at this baby and smiling. At you, too, for taking Ruthie and Kyle in.”
“She’s probably laughing at me. Mitch Ripley, helping take care of an infant.”
“Not just any infant, now” Joyce said. “This is your grandbaby.”
He nodded, emotions too intense for him to speak for a moment. Amazing how fast he’d fallen in love with that baby. He cleared his throat. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“We’ll be here,” Joyce said.
Mitch hadn’t been to Walmart since…actually, he wasn’t sure when the last time was. Maybe once with Jeanie, right after they’d bought the boat? Or was that the boating supply place? Didn’t matter. He knew where the Walmart was.
He parked and went inside. Had it always been this big? He pushed his cart aimlessly, not knowing where to go.
He found an employee. “Excuse me. Where’s the baby section? Clothes, diapers, formula, all of that.”
“Keep going the way you’re going, then turn left and look for the signs.”
“Thanks.” Mitch soon found what he was looking for. There was so much stuff for babies he just stood looking at it all for a few minutes. They needed way more than he realized. A crib was great, but what about a highchair? What about toys? Books? More bottles? Wipes? Shampoo? A baby thermometer? Bibs? Spoons? Pacifiers?
He took a breath, overwhelmed. Had it been this complicated when Kyle had been an infant? He honestly didn’t remember, because Jeanie had handled it all.
Okay, he could do this. One aisle at a time.
The cart was filled before he reached the end of aisle two. He rearranged a few things and made extra space, shifting some of the bigger things to the bottom rack of the cart. He hadn’t even bought clothes, diapers, or formula yet.
He chose the best of everything, going with the best, most natural choice when it was available. When he finally felt done, the cart was heaped so high he almost couldn’t see over it.
Had he gone overboard? Definitely. Did he care? Not one iota.
He checked his phone to make sure Joyce hadn’t texted with a last-minute item. She hadn’t.
With some effort, he pushed the cart to the front of the store and found an open register. There weren’t many. The store seemed to be funneling people to the self-checkout. He wasn’t about to attempt that with all of this.
