Sandy went to the counter at the dentist's office.
Rachael was working the desk in her blue scrubs. "If you have a trouble give us a call. Doctor Anderson would like to see you next week."
Okay, she said, and took a prescription for a two days worth of codeine three, to help her through the new days. "What about my bill?"
Sandy laughed. "Mrs. Robertson, It's been taken care of."
She went out to her car and unplugged it from the charger. Sweet corn was in and she decided to head down to Macgruder's by the river to get a few ears. And maybe some of that good sweet pepper relish! She didn't think her new crown would allow her to enjoy the corn, but Bobbie and Millie sure liked it, and Millie had been studying so hard lately, she deserved a treat.
She headed out on the town and her screen beeped. It was Peggy Danemiller, a friend from church. She felt sad for Susan and Pete. The Dannemillers had only one son and he had been diagnosed with juvenile leukemia. Nine years old was too damned young to be that sick! The boy would never grow up. The doctors said little Eric wouldn't make it to Christmas.
"Hi Susan, what's up. Are the people from Family Services working out?"
"They've been a Godsend. It's not I can't clean or do the laundry, but their help gives me more time with our son. Pete has family leave so he can be home with Eric."
"How's he doing? Eric I mean?"
"He's having a good day today. Got up and dressed himself. He and Pete are downstairs building a model airplane. Eric really loves those old Messerschmitt's."
"What about you? Can I bring you something?"
We're okay. Family services did the shopping for us, and they're really good. It's nice when people pay attention. But I do need a favor. It's Eric's birthday next week, and as it's his last we're going all out. Do you think you could make one of your Strawberry bundt cakes? He just loves those. I know it's a big ask, but e we have family coming in for Eric's last birthday. I want my son to have a really special day." Peggy's voice broke a bit as she spoke.
"I'd be delighted! Peggy, nothing is too good for that swee boy.. I know Eric's not eating much now but I've never seen a child turn down my butter cream frosting." Sandy decided her shopping list needed to grow.
"Is Dick going to the Union meeting tonight?"
Yes, they're meeting with management about investing in those new presses. But they need them if they're going to introduce the new product line. I hear they need to raise the roof twenty feet in the D-wing."
Peggy whistled. "The factory is already the tallest thing in town besides Saint Joseph's. But it's a good thing. Tech is about to graduate a fresh class of millwrights and tool and die makers. It would be nice if they found jobs here and didn't have to move off."
Sandy agreed. "Bobbie in that graduating class. It's nice knowing that when your kids grow up, they'll have a skill they can make a decent living with. I think Bobbie wants to stay here, she's got a thing for a girl who work's at Holton's Book Barn. They've been going out for a year now."
"Think they'll get married?"
Sandy shrugged. "I do. Bobbie's not like Millie. I swear that girl changes boyfriends like she changes underwear."
Peggy chuckled. "As i recall you went through a few before you got to Dick. She's not staying with Justin? What about their son?"
"Justin was the one boy i knew she'd never make it with. Look, can I call later? I have to pick Mark up on the way home from day care. It's Millie's night but she has finals so I'm watching her baby."
"Okay. I hear Eric calling. Looks like my break is over. Bye!"
The exchanged greetings before Peggy hung up. Sandy continued on to the market. The tomatoes looked good but she had better in the garden. Brats were on sale, so she picked up a half dozen along with a dozen ears of corn. The sweet pickle relish and a can sauerkraut. And then the sugar and flower she'd need to bake Eric a proper birthday party. It ached that poor boys life would end so soon. He was a sweet child, and she wondered what Peggy and Pete had done to deserve this fate.
But maybe she didn't need there to be a reason for anything. Living was enough. Peggy and Pete were good people, it was just bad luck. She thought of her own children and realized how lucky she was, even if it hadn't felt that way when Millie turned up pregnant. She'd been warned, but the child was willful. She'd settled down some after having Mark, and maybe that would last. She didn't know, but she knew life could be really hard for a woman alone in the world, even in America.