Cathy Gillen - Their Inherited Triplets

“Sam! They’re here!” she exclaimed.

He rose and strode briskly through the hall to her side.

Together, they walked out the front door and down the porch steps. Hiram introduced his wife, Winnifred, a kind-faced woman with gray hair, and Sandra and Jim Kelleher, the thirtysomething couple who had been looking after the triplets.

Seeing that Lulu and Sam were chomping at the bit to meet the kids, the Kellehers proceeded to unfasten safety harnesses and bring the children out, one by one. All three were holding stuffed animals and clutching well-loved blue baby blankets. In deference to the shimmering June heat, they were wearing blue plaid shorts and coordinating T-shirts, sandals, plaid bucket hats and kiddie sunglasses. All appeared shy and maybe even a little dazed. As if they’d been napping and were still trying to wake up.

“This is Theo,” Winnifred introduced the most serious-looking toddler.

Sandra brought forward the one with the trembling lower lip. “And Ethan.”

“And Andrew,” Jim said, shifting the weight of the only one starting to fidget.

“Hello, Theo, Ethan and Andrew,” Lulu greeted them in turn.

They simply stared at her, then eventually turned away.

Her heart sank. She was a McCabe. She’d been around children all her life. Not once had one responded to her with such indifference.

But then, these children had been through hell. It was probably no surprise they’d become...numb.

Hiram retrieved his briefcase and inclined his head at Sam. “We probably should sign the papers first and then unload the belongings they brought with them today.”

“Lulu,” Sam said, “you want to take them all on in?”

“Sure.” She led the way inside as Sam and Hiram adjourned to a corner of the front porch. Winnifred and the Kellehers took a seat in the living area, a child on each lap. Once they were all settled, Lulu sat down, too, and they got down to business.

“I brought a folder with me of everything I’ve been able to piece together about the children’s previous routines, plus everything that did or did not work for us, in terms of their care,” Sandra said.

Jim exhaled, then turned to look at Lulu. “I hope Sam has better luck with them. It’s good you’re going to be helping out, too.”

Winnifred chimed in, “Hiram and I can both attest to that. They can be a handful.”

Suddenly feeling a little unsure they were up to the task, Lulu nodded her understanding. Had she and Sam underestimated the task of helping the orphaned triplets?

Sam and Hiram walked in. After Sam set the papers on the entry table, Jim handed the still-fidgety Andrew to Lulu and all three men headed back outside. Short minutes later, a trio of car seats, travel beds, booster seats, suitcases, and a big box of toys were stacked in a corner of the living room.

“Probably best we be on our way,” Hiram said.

Lulu expected the kids to wail in protest at the impending departure of yet another set of guardians. Instead, they took it stoically in stride. Too stoically, in fact, to be believed.

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