Valentine's Day 1946 by Linda Mahkovec

Author:Linda Mahkovec [Mahkovec, Linda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781647046736
Publisher: Bublish, Inc.
Published: 2022-12-19T14:48:01+00:00

Chapter 10

On the nights that Lillian volunteered at the hospital with Tommy and Gabriel, she brought Charlotte to Mrs. Kuntzman’s home. It made Lillian happy to know that Charlotte was enjoying the grandmotherly love of their old babysitter.

Lillian and the boys now walked from the bus stop, along with Henry, talking about the patients who were leaving and the new ones recently admitted as more GIs returned home. Lillian always felt reconnected with her art on the nights she taught. She discovered that she was still learning and was coming to understand her techniques and her personal approach to drawing and painting. And nothing gave her more pleasure than to see her students making progress.

Though, as much as she loved teaching, she had to admit that the highlight of her evenings at the hospital was her return home to Charlotte. Even after just a few hours of being apart, there was such joy at their reunion.

“She just woke up,” Mrs. Kuntzman said, holding Charlotte in her arms. “As usual, she was an angel.” When she handed her to Lillian, the eyes of both mother and daughter broke into unbounded delight.

Mrs. Kuntzman told Lillian how Charlotte had laughed and babbled, almost rolled over all by herself, and was, in general, a most remarkable baby.

“I miss her when it’s time to say goodbye.” Mrs. Kuntzman now rested her loving eyes on Tommy and Gabriel. “And how are you boys? Did Henry behave himself at the hospital or did he take over the ping pong game like last week?”

Henry and the boys were soon filling her in on the antics of the evening.

Lillian realized how much she enjoyed these brief visits with Mrs. Kuntzman. Especially now that she knew they would be moving. Lately, if she bumped into her in the neighborhood, or returned a baking dish, or just stopped by to say hello, she found herself staying longer, wanting to listen to their old babysitter and friend, filling her eyes with details of her. She felt a sense of loss to know that Charlotte would not experience Mrs. Kuntzman in the same way that Tommy and Gabriel had. Lillian was grateful for her gentle influence on the boys over the years.

Lillian smiled as she rocked back and forth with Charlotte and watched the others laugh at Henry’s storytelling. He too had a positive, supportive influence on the boys, and added a sense of merriment to life.

As did Mrs. Wilson, the Kinney family, and all the neighbors. Lillian found herself going to the corner grocery store more often now so that she could chat with the Mancettis and exchange news with the neighbors. They were always so happy to see Charlotte and hear about her latest development.

Lillian told herself that she was being overly sentimental. It wasn’t as if they were moving to another state. She could come back and visit anytime she wanted. Charles was so happy about the move. And a new home, a big yard would be –

Charlotte began to fuss and brought Lillian back to the present.

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