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Emmie pulled out an old football from the box. She’d give it to Lauren’s baby boy at an appropriate time. A couple of yearbooks came out next. She studied the photos in them, reminiscing about the time when she and Earl were high school sweethearts. After a couple of years apart, when they each went away to college, they got together again. And this time, it lasted.

She decided to use Earl’s printer as her own. The rest of the office electronics she’d donate to a local program for students in need. When Lauren and Rick came next weekend, she’d ask him to handle this for her. He loved everything electronic.

Standing back, studying the room, she felt both sadness and excitement. Now that Earl’s office was being dismantled, it seemed as if his presence was evaporating. But using the room for the new baby was something he would like. He’d always been a loving father.

Closing the door behind her, she felt she’d taken a giant step toward accepting the tragedy of losing her husband and the slow process of moving forward.

CHAPTER TWO

Sunday morning, Emmie awoke and lay in bed, savoring the moment. After the trauma of Earl’s illness and death, she’d used mornings like this to simply reflect on her life and think of ways to enjoy the day ahead. Because she was usually optimistic, she used this time to focus on the positives in her life.

Rising, she took care of her morning routine and then padded down to the kitchen to fix herself a cup of coffee. She’d need more than one cup because she was visiting her younger daughter, Gemma, who lived two towns away. Married to Tony Romero, Gemma had become a more traditional wife, supporting his family’s restaurant, Romero’s, known for its excellent food.

Gemma was a sweet child, beloved by Earl, who called her his little Gem. Emmie had been forced to play the stern parent with her because Earl would let Gemma do anything she wanted. Their roles were forever changed by Earl’s illness. Gemma stayed at home to help care for him and worked part-time as a hostess at Romero’s. For Gemma and Tony, it was love at first sight.

Thinking of them now, Emmie smiled at the memory of their wedding. Accommodating Tony’s family had meant the wedding was a large one with lots of bridesmaids and a flower girl, Tony’s niece. With three brothers and two sisters, Tony, the youngest, was as spoiled as Gemma had been. They suited one another very well.

As loud as the celebration following the wedding had been, it was filled with love and joy. That, Emmie thought, was such a gift. Earl would’ve been pleased to see it.

Now that she was alone, Tony’s family had taken Emmie under their collective wings. It was something she found she both loved and disliked. One thing was for sure: she’d never do anything to cause a problem for Gemma. Not after all the help that she’d given Earl, the kind of care and encouragement no paid nursing aide could provide. Emmie would always be grateful to her for allowing Emmie to continue working to bring in the money needed to cover all the medical bills.

Tony’s mother, Nettie, was a beautiful woman in body and spirit. His father, Dom, was a strong-willed tiger when it came to the restaurant and a kitten when dealing with his family. On Sundays, the restaurant didn’t open until five o’clock. That gave the family time to attend church and for the women to prepare a noonday meal with Nettie.

Emmie was considered family, and it was hoped she’d join them for the meal every Sunday. She tried to accept their invitation at least fifty percent of the time. But her Sundays were spent getting ready for the work week ahead, and she’d promised to leave herself some free time.

Today, she was excited to join Tony’s family. She felt very alive after working in Earl’s office.

While she was enjoying her second cup of coffee and reading online news, Lauren called.

“How did the work on Dad’s office go?” Lauren asked. “I know that must have been hard for you. But, Mom, I’m excited about the idea of having a place outside of the city for our baby. And I want him to know you, and for you to have something to keep you busy while you’re alone.”

Emmie sighed inwardly. Lauren was a kind person, someone eager to please others, a woman who wanted to do well at whatever she undertook. Emmie knew she meant well, but she hoped Lauren would understand that making a place for her grandson in her home didn’t mean she’d be the automatic babysitter.

“Darling, you know I can’t wait to meet my first grandchild. It’s going to be fun to fix up a place for him, but you, Rick, and the baby will be busy with your lives in the city. And that is as it should be.”

“But, Mom, I don’t like the idea of you being alone,” said Lauren. “Do you want me to come today with the paint chips?”

“Thanks, honey, but we’d better stick to our earlier plan. It’s one of Gemma and Tony’s lunch days.”

“Oh, right,” said Lauren. “Well, have fun.”

“How did your event with Rick go?” Emmie asked.

“Very well,” said Lauren. “He was recognized for his outstanding work. I’m very proud of him.”

“And your job?” asked Emmie.

“The law firm wants me to come back to work after the baby is born. I’ve told them it would be several months before that could happen. I want to get him off to a healthy start. Like you did for Gemma and me.” The girls had been in first and sixth grades before she’d found a job that gave the family enough money to take vacations and the like. Earl gave them a comfortable living. Emmie provided the extras.

“Knowing how serious you are about any undertaking, that baby is going to have a fantastic beginning,” said Emmie. “You and Rick will be excellent parents.”

“Thanks, Mom,” said Lauren. “Have fun today. I’ll see you next weekend. I’ve already got pictures of how I want the room to look. I’ll show them to you then.”

“All right. Have a great week. Love to you both,” said Emmie, ending the call.

She sat back in her chair and took a deep breath. Her life had changed a lot in the last three and a half years. She wondered what might lie ahead.

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