Enough to Miss Christmas

"What?" Timmy asked.

We all gathered in the living room but Karen wouldn't look at either of us. However, when Paul and I made the announcement both she and Timmy were thrilled. There was no sign of Karen's tears; past problems forgotten. She'd get to play with a baby Claire and Timmy would have his buddies, Maureen's twin boys. We were hardly able to finish our meal with all the excited chatting.

The next day was a frenzy of last minute packing and errands and I was constantly running behind. I still hadn't picked up the crib by the time Maureen and her crew arrived from Rhode Island in late morning. While I was greeting her and her children with hugs and kisses, Suzie telephoned to see it they'd arrived safely.

I thanked my sister and told her I had to run so I could finish my chores. I was about to cancel my therapy session as well.

"You have to go!" Suzie insisted. "Dr. Freud or whatever his name is, is doing you wonders. You're happy as a clam at high tide."

I promised to attend my session though I'd rather have spent the time with Maureen. When I arrived, Karen passed me but didn't give her usual thumbs-up signal.

"Problem?" I asked. She shrugged and was gone. I wouldn't have time for a discussion with my daughter until I returned from New York. If I'd hoped to blaze through my weekly meeting with Dr. Mason, it wasn't to be.