Posted by hummingbird on 6/11/2014, 8:44 am VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Chapter Twenty-Three August, 1944
While the war raged on in Europe, things on the homefront started to calm down.
Nora had her first trimester of pregnancy behind her, so she was feeling better in the mornings and was not so drained of energy all of the time.
Her parents were elated at the news of becoming grandparents, and were becoming almost too concerned about her well-being. When they asked Nora to move back in with them, she told them absolutely not...while she didn’t like living alone, it was Bo she wanted to live with, not her parents. Still, she went to synagogue with them on Saturdays and tried to have dinner with them once a week.
She continued working at the library during the days and helping Rita in the kitchen three nights a week. Sal’s old friend Vinnie moved to Chicago and became Rita’s new chef. He knew Sal’s recipes from days when he and Sal had worked together in New York. The restaurant hadn’t lost any business although many patrons expressed how sorry they were that they would never hear Sal’s laughter or see his smiling face again. The comments made Rita’s heart ache, yet she was glad they had such fond remembrances of Sal.
One Friday evening after closing the restaurant, Nora and Rita were making their way up the back stairs. Nora had purchased some fabric, and Rita was going to show her how to make some simple curtains for above her kitchen sink. As they rounded the corner they were surprised to see Lena unlocking her apartment door with a man behind her, his hands around her waist as he whispered in her ear. She laughed at his comments until she turned and saw Nora and Rita standing there.
Their eyes met, but the girls said nothing and continued down the hall to Rita’s apartment. They were just beginning their sewing lesson when they heard a knock at the door. Rita opened it to find Lena standing there, alone, with a bottle of brandy and two glasses.
“May I join the Celibacy Club?” she asked sarcastically as she made her way into the apartment. They could tell she had already had a few drinks.
Lena continued, “Oh, you’re sewing too? How cute.” Would you like a drink, Rita? I’d offer you one, Nora, but it may not be good for the baby.”
“Baby?” Rita said looking at Nora.
“Yes, baby!” Lena blurted while pouring the brandy.
Nora looked confused. “How did you know?” she asked.
“My bathroom is back to back with yours. I could hear you puking in the mornings. Also, your clothes are getting a little tight across the tummy...no offence…”
Rita smiled. “You’re having a baby. I’m so happy for you. I really am.” She hugged Nora. “When?”
“The doctor told me mid-February.”
“Must have been quite a honeymoon,” Lena said smiling as she drank her brandy. “And, by the way, nothing happened with Charles. I sent him home pining for me. I just wanted to get that white elephant out of the room right now. Please don’t mention this to Mick...although I don’t know why I’m being celibate when he is probably doing some woman in every town he comes to. I don’t know how you two can stand it.”
“Lena,” Nora said quietly.
“Oh...I’m sorry, Rita.”
Rita ignored the remarks and drank the offered brandy. She showed Nora the simple steps of making the curtains and helped her put the rod through them.
“See?” Rita said. “You did it. They turned out very nice. Don’t try to hang them yourself though...I don’t want you standing on any chairs in your condition.”
“Let’s go hang them now,” Lena suggested. “Rita, you and I can do the climbing.”
“Abbi pieta` (Have mercy!)!” Rita exclaimed. You should not be climbing on chairs in your condition either!” referring to Lena’s tipsiness.
“I’m not drunk! I’m fine!” Lena said. “Let’s go.”
“Alright, but I climb. You hold the chair,” Rita suggested.
The girls made their way to Nora’s apartment where they successfully hung the curtains. The right curtain hung a tiny bit lower than the left, but Nora was still happy with them. They brightened up the place.
“I love them. Thank you for your help,” she said.
Nora poured herself a glass of milk while the others shared the brandy. They visited for a short while and then Rita stood. “I’ll be right back.”
She entered the apartment a few minutes later carrying a cardboard box.
“Not a fancy package, but here...I want you to have these,” she said placing the box on the coffee table before Nora. “Open it.”
Nora gave her a puzzled smile then opened the box. It was full of baby clothes and blankets.
Nora’s mouth dropped open. “Oh, Rita…” She pulled out one of the tiny nightgowns and held it close to her cheek feeling it’s softness. “Did you make these?”
Rita nodded. “When Sal and I married, I started making baby clothes...we wanted many bambinos...it just never happened. I am happy that you can use them,” Rita said softly.
“But Rita...you’re very young...maybe...someday…” Nora began hesitantly.
Rita shook her head. “I cannot think of that now...but, if it would happen...someday...I would make more clothes. I want you to have these.”
Nora hugged her. “Thank you, Rita.”
While Nora and Rita were in conversation, neither noticed how quiet Lena had become. When they glanced at her, she was holding a tiny pink gown with smocking at the top.
“I had a baby once,” Lena said solemnly. “A baby girl.”
The girls looked at her and waited for her to continue.
“I was fifteen when I got pregnant. My father ran me off. It was just as well...he hated me anyway.”
“Why, Lena?” Nora asked quietly.
“Because he blamed me for my mother’s death...my mother died giving birth to me,” Lena explained. “My father never got over it and always hated me. So...I did what a lot of girls do when they’re looking for love. I went with any guy that would give me some. And I got pregnant. The baby’s daddy didn’t love me either and left me to deal with the mess. So...I was on my own. Then I met a preacher and his wife who took me in...they ended up adopting my baby when she was born. I couldn’t live the life they wanted me to, so I left. My baby girl will be ten in October,” Lena finished.
There was a lull in the conversation. Then Lena looked at the girls. “I really don’t know why I told you all that. I haven’t talked about it with anyone until tonight. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dampen the spirit of this occasion. I’m very happy for you, Nora.” Lena smiled then. “What did Bo say?”
“Nothing yet,” Nora replied. “I wrote to him about it, but haven’t gotten any word back…I haven’t gotten any letters for a long time…”
“Well, he is going to be thrilled...I just know it,” Lena said. “And he will be a wonderful daddy. I propose a toast,” she said raising her glass. “To Baby Buchanan!”
“To Baby Buchanan!” the girls echoed clinking their glasses.
That night before falling asleep, Nora thought about her friendship with Rita and Lena. They were each very different in background and personality, yet they complimented each other. Nora was certainly glad to have them as friends.