Picket Fences! Part 13

Picket Fences! Part 13



The next morning after Larry and Arlene had left for work and school, Joy called Mary Lou.
"Mary Lou, I had my baby yesterday afternoon. I can hardly wait for you to see him", she said.



"If that's the case why didn't you call me right after he was born?", Mary Lou asked.
"I wanted to wait until Larry was gone before you saw him. I want you to tell me who you think Kevin looks more like. Larry or Rhys?", Joy explained.
"Alright, I'll be right over", said Mary Lou.



A few minutes later Mary Lou walked in the front door.
"Alright, where's that beautiful son of yours?", she called.
"In the nursery", called Joy, "Come on in."


Joy took Kevin out of his crib and handed him to Mary Lou.
"Well, do you think he looks like Larry or Rhys?", she asked already knowing the answer.
"Joy you might not want to hear this, but this baby and Rhys' son with his maid could pass for twins", said Mary Lou.



"Well so far Larry hasn't noticed our son's resemblance to Rhys, but that might just be because he doesn't have any reason to suspect it", said Joy.
"Let's hope he or nobody else sees the babies side by side any time soon", said Mary Lou, "And try not to worry. Everything will be alright."
Then she hurried out the front door to go home.


That afternoon when Arlene came home from school she was jumping for joy. She had gotten an A+ on the paper she wrote about the elephant at the zoo.


Then Larry came home a few minutes later. He had gotten promoted at work to Junior Executive.


After he took a bath and changed clothes Larrry went down to the nursery. He took Kevin out of his crib and cuddled him. Larry was getting very attached to his son.



After supper that night Joy called her mother (Joyce Evans) and invited her over to meet her new grandson.


Joyce arrived a few minutes later.


She gave Joy a hug.
"I'm so happy for you and Larry", said Joyce, "And thank you for naming the baby after your father. He would be so happy."



Larry brought Kevin into the livingroom to meet his grandma. Joyce talked to the baby.
"He's really a beautiful baby", she said.
"Yes, he's a chip off the old block", said Larry proudly.


Joyce sit with Arlene on the couch and snuggled. She thought her grandaughter might need some extra attention.


After a couple of hours had passed, Joyce said, "It's getting late. I better be getting on home. I don't like being out after dark."




After Joyce left Arlene was sitting between her parents on the couch.
"Mama, what's an affair?", she asked.
"Why in the world do you want to know that?", asked Joy.
"Mike was teasing me at school about you having one", Arlene answered.


"Your mama is married to me!", Larry interrupted, "That Jones boy is just repeating gossip he heard from his parents. I bet he doesn't even know what it is himself."


"Arlene, you need to learn not to pay any attention to gossip. Folks who gossip don't always know if it's true or not. Now forget about what Mike said and go on to bed", said Joy.


"I wonder why anybody would start a rumor about you of all people having an affar. Just goes to show how vindictive some people can be", said Larry, "The best thing we can do is just ignore it until new gossip replaces it, alright?"


Then he gave Joy a romantic kiss before she could answer.


Across town at Buford Falls Church . . .


Pastor Woods called Rhys Sawyer . . .
"Rhys the tombstone for your grandmother came today. I'd like for you to come by to see if it's what you had in mind."


"I'm sure I'll like it. Thanks Pastor Woods. I'll be right over", said Rhys.

To be continued . . .