Arlene Sachitano - Quilt By Association

"It's all so hard to believe,” DeAnn said. “I mean, Avery was born while David was still in graduate school. And Hansford…” She paused. “Well, he was a bit of a surprise, so he got AJ's hand-me-downs, which were already secondhand."

"Well, honey, you just enjoy every minute of it,” Aunt Beth said.

"No baby shower is complete without a couple of games,” Mavis said. “Let's move into the parlor across the hall."

In her mind, Harriet groaned. She'd been to a few baby showers when she lived in California, and she'd clearly demonstrated that her upbringing, in the hands of nannies and at boarding schools in Europe, Asia and only sometimes America, had left her without the common cultural references most children grew up with. Her parents believed reading children's books to children stunted their potential. When her mother read to her, it was from the periodic table; her father read her Shakespeare.

"Okay, everyone,” Mavis said when the women were settled on the chairs and sofas of the large dayroom. “In this one, there are small gold ‘diaper’ pins mixed in a bowl of rice. Your task is to pick out as many pins as you can in thirty seconds-while blindfolded."

This task proved harder than it sounded but didn't require previous knowledge of babies or culture. The next two games didn't, either, and Harriet relaxed. She knew she was among friends, but she was still sensitive about her weird upbringing.

Neelie came in the front door as the group was returning to the dining room to have cake and ice cream.

"Oh, hi, Neelie,” Carla said. “Would you like to join us for some cake?"

She looked wary.

"Where is Kissa?"

"She's in the nursery with Wendy,” Carla told her. “I hired a babysitter to stay with them during the shower."

"Okay, but just a small piece for me."

"Here, come sit,” Aunt Beth said and brought another chair to the table, placing it between herself and Harriet. “What would you like to drink? We have punch, tea and coffee."

"Coffee is fine,” Neelie said. Harriet could see the woman was uncomfortable.

"Let me introduce you,” Harriet said. “Ladies, Carla's houseguest is going to join us."

She proceeded to present each Loose Thread, and they, in turn, each said a few words of welcome.

"Phyllis Johnson isn't a Loose Thread. She works for the adoption agency that is placing DeAnn's baby with her.” Harriet looked around. Phyllis had disappeared. “I guess she's in the restroom."

"Welcome,” Robin said. “I hope you enjoy your visit to Foggy Point."

"So, what's Oraba like?” Lauren asked.

"Excuse me?” Neelie said in her lilting English.

"I saw in a video on YouTube that your sister's working in Oraba. I was wondering what kind of place it was."

If Neelie noticed Lauren's use of the present tense in reference to her sister, she didn't show it.

"It is like all of Uganda-hot and dusty."

"Are there problems with the water there?” Harriet asked.

"I don't know,” Neelie snapped. “She had her work, and I had mine. We didn't talk about it."

"What sort of work did you do?” Harriet persisted.

"I work at a bank, just like you have here. I wear a dress. I stand at a window and take people's money or give them their money."

"How about some more coffee?” Mavis said, and refilled Neelie's cup without waiting for an answer. “Pass her the milk,” she told Harriet.

The conversation effectively ended, the group ate cake and chatted.

"I'm going to go check the baby,” Neelie said when she was finished.

She stood and left the room. Phyllis returned to the table when she was gone.

"Are you okay?” Beth asked her.

"I'm fine. I got a phone call I had to return right away, so I stepped outside where it was quiet."

DeAnn looked at her.

"Don't worry, it was good news,” Phyllis assured her. “Your little girl is on her way. This time tomorrow, she'll arrive in Seattle and, shortly after that, in Foggy Point."

DeAnn smiled and sagged back into her chair in relief.

"How about we open some presents?” Connie said and wheeled in the jogging stroller. She and Mavis had set it up and stashed it in the kitchen eating area. The Loose Threads had strapped a baby-sized teddy bear into the seat and surrounded it with smaller wrapped gifts.

"Oh, my gosh,” DeAnn said. “You guys shouldn't have."

"Isn't that the point of a shower?” Sarah asked. “You shower the person with stuff."

Aunt Beth took a package from the stroller and handed it to DeAnn.

Almost an hour later, the last package had been unwrapped, and DeAnn was surrounded by piles of mostly pink pajamas, dresses, pants and shirts as well as more than one little-girl-sized quilt. Harriet had made two nightgowns. Since they didn't know the correct size, she and the rest of the Threads had stuck to flexible, loose-fitting garments.

A knock on the door interrupted the oooh-ing and ahh-ing.

"Am I too early?” Joseph Marston asked when Carla had let him in and escorted him to the dining room. “I found another big quilt that was donated. Mavis said to bring it by here."

"I'll take that,” Mavis said and stood up. “Here-sit down and have a piece of cake."

"I don't want to interrupt,” Joseph protested, but Aunt Beth had already sliced a large piece of the lemon-filled white cake and set it in front of him. Jenny brought a china cup and saucer from the sideboard and put it beside the cake.

"Coffee or tea?” she asked and, when he indicated coffee, picked up the coffee carafe and filled his cup. Carla put the sugar and cream within his reach.

"Thank you, ladies.” he said. “And I hope you know these quilts you're remaking will be put to good use."

"Well, it's a very good cause,” Mavis said. “And we're happy to do what little we can to help those babies get a good start in life."

Joseph looked across the room at DeAnn, who was giggling as she held up a pink tutu and leotard and showed it to Robin and Jenny.

"I've been doing this for almost twenty years now, and that…” He pointed at a smiling DeAnn. “…is something that never gets old."

"Joseph,” Phyllis said from the other end of the table, “do we have a final arrival time to tell DeAnn?"

"Assuming the customs process goes smoothly,” he said, and pulled out his smartphone, clicking buttons as he spoke and staring at the little screen, “they land in Seattle right around noon. Assuming thirty minutes to get through customs, give or take another thirty, depending on how full the flight is, my best guess is between two-thirty and three o'clock."

"Where do we go to pick her up?” DeAnn asked.

"Oh, don't worry, honey,” Phyllis said. “At Little Lamb, we bring your bundle of joy to your home.” She took the last bite of her second piece of cake then hoisted herself up. “Speaking of Little Lamb, I better get back. We don't want any of our new parents to wait any longer than they absolutely have to, to receive their new family member.” She looked over at Joseph. “You take your time, Joe. I can finish up the verifications tonight."

He started to rise.

"I can finish them for you,” he said with a longing glance at his cake.

"Don't be silly. You go home when you're done with these ladies. Thanks to Harriet here, I've got plenty of time to bind my quilt before the wedding."

The expression on Joseph's face said he wasn't comfortable being sent home when the boss was going back to work, but it was also clear he wouldn't argue in front of the assembled women.

"Let me get you some more cake,” Harriet said, breaking the awkward silence.

Phyllis gathered up her quilt, which Harriet had placed under her chair when the shower started, then buttoned her jacket and left.