Second in the Series

The Marshall triplets are almost two years older in this passage than in the passage shared yesterday.  I think they are growing up nicely.

The girls had finished their homework and were playing with the kittens when the doorbell rang.  Rosadel had told Cassidy there was no need for her to come back with Arlene and Julie, so this time it was just the two women.

Pooh ran right to Arlene when they walked into the dining room.  Lou walked over to Arlene and Julie. “Hi, I’m Lou Marshall. I’m glad to meet you.  And that is Grace, and that is Rosie, and that is Michelle.”

Arlene and Julie were immediately charmed.  “Hi, Lou. I’m Arlene and this is Julie. Thank you for taking such good care of these kittens.”

“You’re welcome.  What are you going to name Pooh?”

Arlene had picked up the kitten and was cuddling her.  “My last cat was orange too, and her name was Ginger Rogers.  I think this one will be Lucille Ball and we will call her Lucy.”

“What happened to Ginger Rogers?” asked Rosie.

Arlene sighed.  “Ginger died right after I was diagnosed with cancer.  We decided to wait until I was finished with chemotherapy before getting another kitten.”

“What’s chemo that word mean?”  asked Grace.

Rosadel intervened.  “Chemotherapy is one of the ways that cancer is treated.  Sometimes, when people have chemotherapy, they are very sick and tired until it is over.”

“Did Mom-Mom Allie have chemotherapy?”  asked Lou.

“Many times,” replied Rosadel.  

“I’m sorry you are sick with cancer,” Grace told Arlene.  “I hope you get better and that Pooh, I mean Lucy, helps you feel better faster.”

Arlene knelt down so that she could look Grace right in the eyes.  “Thank you Grace. I actually started feeling better as soon as I met Lucy.”

“We have been kind of getting mad at everyone because they are taking our kittens away, but I’m starting to understand what Gee-Jay told us.  I hope that Lucy makes you feel better too.” said Lou.

Arlene looked somewhat helplessly at Rosadel, not sure how to answer.

“They’re mine and I can’t always follow the conversation, Arlene, so you are not alone.  My mom, that would be Mom-Mom Allie died from cancer when I was twelve, and Gee-Jay is my dad’s wife.  I think what Lou just told you is she finally understands that these kittens are meant to live with other people who need them more than we do.”

“That’s right, Mommy,” said Grace, “See you do know what we mean.”

Arlene’s eyes filled.  “Thank you girls. I really do need Lucy right now, she will help me not miss Ginger so much.  I can’t go back to work for a while, so I get lonely while Julie is at work.  Lucy will keep me company until I feel well enough to go to work.”

The girls said goodbye to Pooh/Lucy with no tears, and with hugs for Arlene and Julie.  “We’ll pray for you to get better on our rosary beads,” promised Grace. “Sister Dorothy gave them to us because we’re grown up enough now.”

From "Unexpected Blessings", Book 2 in the Bayou Beni series.

First in a series

I decided to try something new.  This is the first post in a series of three featuring the Marshall triplets who are central characters in the Bayou Beni series.  I'd love to hear from you on how the girls have changed as they have grown older.

The triplets, meanwhile, had reached their personal limits of silence.

“Should we call you Ms. Jessie?” asked Grace.  “You sure are pretty,” added Lou. “Is your hair always curly like that?” asked Rosie.

Jessie squatted down to be at eye level with the three girls.  “Ms. Jessie is fine, thank you, and yes, my hair is always curly like this.”

“Do you have a husband?” asked Gracie.  “Because you are kind of old,” added Lou.

“Girls!” Rosadel kind of screeched.  “Those are not appropriate comments”

“But Mommy,” said Rosie, “ You said it makes people feel good if you ask them questions about themselves.  We were trying.”

Rosadel sighed. “I know Rosie.  But all three of you listen up. It is not polite to ask about weight, age, or relationship status.”

“Mommy, I know what age and weight are, but what is that other thing you said?” asked Lou.

“It means you don’t ask if someone has a boyfriend, or a girlfriend, or a wife or a husband.” explained Rosadel.

“But Daddy always asks Uncle Pete if he found a girl yet.” said Grace.

“That is because he is my brother,” said Clancy.  “You can ask your brothers and sisters anything.”

“How come Mommy never told us that?” asked Lou.

“Cause Mommy is an only child and she didn’t know.” replied Clancy.

Rosadel looked over at Jessie to apologize again, and saw Jessie’s big smile and laughing eyes and knew no apology was necessary.

 From "Count Your Blessings"  Book 1 in the Bayou Beni series.

Book #4 is live on Amazon

Paperback and ebook versions of "Blessings from the Past" went live on Amazon yesterday.  I'm really pleased with how this book turned out, although I must admit I had my doubts about it along the way.

This book combines the present day Bayou Beni series, with the historic As It Could Be series.  (Only one book in the historical so far, but there is a series in my head.)

I announced on Facebook yesterday, no sales yet, but hopefully soon.

Here's an excerpt:

As the Mass ended and the congregation departed, Rosadel looked around for

Bee as soon as she exited the church.  She didn’t have to look for long, because

the triplets spied Bee and started running. “Nanny Bee! Nanny Bee! We have an

uncle.  His name is Danny!”

Bee crouched down to hug the girls.  “Well that sure is exciting! Have you seen him yet?”

“No, Nanny,” answered Lou.  “He was just born last night.  We are going to Grandma Harriet and

Grandpa George’s for breakfast and then we get to go meet him.”

“He and Gee-Jay have to stay in the hospital for a few days,” added Rosie.

“But not because there is anything wrong, just to be careful,”  clarified Grace.

Bee stood up and hugged Rosadel.  “Congratulations, Big Sister. I bet you have pictures already.”

As Rosadel reached into her purse to get her phone, Harriet tapped her on the shoulder. 

"We’ll see you at the house in a few minutes.”

“Thanks, Momma Harriet.  We won’t be long.” Rosadel turned to greet Marie Theriot.  

“Hi Mrs. Theriot. I won’t keep Bee long, I know you two have a breakfast date. 
But I want to show her a picture of my new baby brother.”

“Oh!  Jessie had her baby?”  Marie was excited to hear the baby had arrived.

“Yes Ma’am.  Last night. Daniel Fergus McPherson.  Jessie and Danny are both doing fine.”

“Well, that is wonderful news, Rosadel.  Please give Jessie my best wishes when you see her.”

“I sure will, Mrs. Theriot.  Here you go Bee, this is Danny.”

Bee looked through the pictures on Rosadel’s phone and then handed the phone to Marie. 

After oohing and aahing and exclaiming what a beautiful child Danny was, Rosadel,

Clancy and the girls headed to Harriet and George’s house, and Bee and Marie headed to breakfast.