Folly Beach - Dorothea Benton Frank [143]
“I’ll go find out!”
“Good idea.”
He disappeared again.
John came back with ice-cold water and I was glad to have it.
“There was a Russ-sighting.”
“Oh, yeah? Is everything okay?”
I laughed and said, “Yeah. But it might be nice if the doctor would give her an epidural soon. Russ said she’s calling him some very naughty names. I don’t blame her.”
“Yeah, you’ve been there.”
“I called Addison every filthy thing under the sun. But then he was every filthy thing under the sun.”
“Oh, did I tell you I heard from Manhattan Theater Club?”
“No! And?”
“They want to present Folly Beach in the spring!”
“With Sara?”
“With Sara, and you and me!”
“Wait, John! I have Aunt Daisy’s business to see about. I can’t go anywhere!”
“Yes, you can. It’s only a two-week run and I already called Miss Daisy because I knew that was what you’d say. She’s home that whole month and she’ll cover for you.”
“She will? Wonderful! So how many productions does that make?”
“Including San Francisco? Fourteen.”
“Unbelievable.”
“Yeah, so what are you writing about next?”
“You’re kidding right?”
“No, ma’am! You’ve got to get back to the desk and write!”
“After the baby’s born.”
“Well, in most cases, that would be in a few hours.”
“After they bring the baby home then.”
“That could be as soon as tomorrow.”
“After the baptism then.”
“Do I detect a little reluctance on the part of America’s newest playwright sensation to get back to business? Do you want to be known as a one-hit wonder?”
“No!” But what was I going to write about?
Russ reappeared. He looked haggard.
“We’re going upstairs.”
“Did she get her epidural?”
“No, the doctor said it was too late. She’s nine and a half centimeters. But she’s gonna be in room 516.”
“What? You’d better get upstairs on the double, boy, or you’re gonna miss the whole thing!”
Russ spun around and was gone. We took the elevator up to the fifth floor and waited. About an hour later Russ came and found us. He was smiling so proudly, just beaming really.
“She’s a girl. You have a granddaughter, Mom. Her name is Daisy Ella and she’s the most beautiful little girl in the whole entire world.”
“Oh, Russ!” I threw my arms around him and hugged him with all my might. “Oh! I can’t wait to meet her!”
“Congratulations, Russ!” John said and shook his hand soundly.
“Thanks!”
All summer long, Aunt Daisy and Ella had been planning nurseries for the baby. Ella was crocheting blankets and Aunt Daisy was shopping. They decorated an elaborate baby’s room for Russ and Alice at their house but they made another even more elaborate one at their own house on Folly Beach. We could already see there was going to be a lot of bickering about to whom that baby really belonged.
“How’s Alice?”
“Alice? She’s thrilled. Tired but thrilled. Come say hello!”
We went in room 516 and there was Alice, propped up in bed with her hair brushed and wearing a fresh gown, holding beautiful little Daisy Ella Cooper in her arms. I looked at my granddaughter and wept. In fact, we all did.
A month later, as the temperature became bearable and the marsh grass began to turn brown, we had a lovely christening at the Catholic church on Folly Beach. Once again, Patti and Mark, who were to serve as godparents, were staying in the Jolly Buddha. Maureen was still staying with Russ and Alice as she had been since she arrived two days after the baby was born, which was driving Russ seriously crazy. And Sara, who was suddenly in demand for a role in this movie or that play could not be with us.
“I still don’t understand why she didn’t come,” Alice said over dinner at Aunt Daisy’s.
“Are you serious? Because she’s reading for the second time for a leading role in a Julia Roberts film,” John said. “As I understand it, she’s the most likely candidate.”
Alice’s face turned beet-red. The corners of Patti’s mouth turned up.
“You always said she had what it took, Cate. I’m just so happy for her,” Patti said.
“You never stop believing in your kids, Patti.