Does it ever stop raining in Columbus? It seems like every time I come here in the spring it is a downpour. I’m glad I remembered to bring my umbrella today. Still, it’s just a short walk from the hotel to the shopping center, and I have time on my lunch hour. These meetings are necessary, I know, but I’ll be glad when the afternoon is over and I can head back to Ironton. I wish I had more time to visit Mary Frances, but I’ll see her soon. This is the cutest shopping center. Look at those baby clothes in the shop window. I still have trouble believing that I’m going to be a grandma. I wonder if I look like a grandmother? Fifty two is pretty young, and what elderly woman would wear my bright pink raincoat? There are so many baby things! I know it will be hard to resist them. I am burning to know if it is a boy or a girl. If it is a girl, I will bankrupt us! But the blue clothes are just as adorable!
I better watch my time. I hate to be late. And of course, it’s still raining! I hope it lets up for the trip home. I hope Lou wants to go out for dinner. I think he is excited about being a grandfather. I know he has worried about whether Mary Frances is ready, but I notice that each day he talking more about it. It will be fun to babysit!
What a dreary day! Not a hard rain, but steady drizzle. As I cross the street, the door of the hotel beckons as a dry respite from the weather. Surely the afternoon session will pass quickly. These government types never know when to shut up!
Finally, inside the door, I shake my blue umbrella of excess moisture. Someone catches my eye, and I look again. It IS Mary Frances! What is she doing here? She must have come to surprise me. Oh, and she is wearing a maternity top, and she looks so cute! But……something is wrong. I feel frozen to the floor, but my feet are moving. A shudder, and then I wait for the blow. Mary Frances takes both my hands and says, “I have some bad news.”
I love this piece, both the original and the revision! I can’t decide which one I like more. I loved hearing the story from your point of view because I know you, but I think you writing from your mother’s point of view is really interesting. What did you mother think about this version? Has she read it yet?