Read Online Baby Alicia Is Dying by Lurlene McDaniel - Free Book Online

the house.
    “Oh, Daddy!” She hugged her parents and turned to hug Desi. “I like the way you’re wearing your hair,” Valerie said.
    Desi was pleased. She’d been growing her hair long since school started, but Val was the only one who’d noticed.
    Mom held Val tightly. “It’s good to have you back home. We’ve missed you so much, honey.”
    “But, Mom, it’s only been three months.”
    Her mother held Val at arm’s distance and studied her with glowing eyes. “Are you eating enough? You look thin.”
    Val rolled her eyes. “Mother!”
    Desi laughed, but she had to admit that Val did look much thinner.
    Dad interrupted. “Eva, at least let Val get settled in before you start making her over.” He started up the stairs with the baggage.
    “I’ve got turkey and all the trimmings for tomorrow.” Their mother linked her arm through Valeriesand started up the stairs behind him. “And Friday the department stores open as early as eight in the morning, so we’ll hit all the malls. We’ve got so much to do and only a weekend to do it in.”
    “I’ll be home for Christmas,” Val said as her mother continued talking, but she cast a long-suffering look over her shoulder toward Desi. Desi tagged along behind them, wondering if she’d ever be greeted so happily when
she
came home from college in the years ahead.
    Aunt Clare arrived early Thanksgiving morning to help Eva and Desi with the meal. Desi pulled her to one corner, out of her mother’s earshot and asked about Anthony. Her aunt shook her head. “The news isn’t good. He’s fighting a viral pneumonia. Let’s make sure to include him in our Thanksgiving prayers.”
    Desi nodded and quickly set to work, hoping that by keeping busy, she could put Anthony’s plight out of her mind. When everything was ready, Desi stood and admired the table. Her mother’s decorating skills were evident.
    China, crystal, and silver sparkled on ivory-color linen. The colors of autumn spilled from a magnificent brass and straw centerpiece of fall flowers, gourds, pheasant feathers, and candles. The rich, succulent aroma of roasted turkey, yeast rolls, cinnamon, and spiced pumpkin pies saturated the air. With the strains of a Rachmaninoff concerto playing on the stereo, and late afternoon sunlight spillingthrough antique lace curtains, the room had the flavor of some turn-of-the-century Southern mansion.
    “Beautiful,” Aunt Clare announced when they all finally sat down to dine.
    As her father blessed the food, Desi prayed silently for Anthony, for his fight for life. She thought about Alicia too, and wondered what it would be like to have her sitting in a high chair at their table. Desi could picture her small hand holding a drumstick and her dark eyes glowing. Maybe next year she could talk Gayle into letting her bring Alicia over for the day. If her mother would agree to such a venture.
    “It’s so wonderful to have my family together,” her mother declared, passing around the food.
    “It’s good to take a break,” Val volunteered. Her hair was tied back with a blue satin ribbon, her freshly scrubbed face pretty, as always, but pale. She turned toward Desi, asking, “Tell me about the ChildCare house you’ve written about. Your letters are great. Can I go see the babies with you? I’d love to see more pictures too.”
    Filled with enthusiasm, Desi started to speak, but her mother interrupted. “Oh, Val, honey, your father and I hear about Desi’s activities all the time. We want to hear about yours. Do you like your classes? How’s tennis coming along? I can’t wait until spring. According to your coach, Florida plays several matches here in Atlanta. You can bet we’ll all be there to cheer you on.”
    Desi felt the sting of her mother’s rejection. She saw a flare of anger in her aunt’s eyes, but before Aunt Clare could comment and set off an argument, Desi said, “Come on, Val, tell us all about what you’re doing. You and I can talk later