Aunt Kat woke the girls a little after eight the next morning. “I let y’all sleep late this morning since we were out so late last night. We can’t go to church since there’s a flat on the car.”

Lynn cheered.

“Young lady. You ought to be ashamed of yourself! You know you need to be in church!”

Lynn didn’t look ashamed at all but did the best she could. “I know, but I hate church clothes. They’re all fancy and scratchy.”

“Pit on your play clothes, make your bed, and wake Billy. Breakfast is ready. I want to sew today, so I need help with the babies for a while. Then you can go play.

She was standing at the stove when the kids got to the kitchen. “Bring your bowls and get some oatmeal.”

Billy was so disappointed at the menu he launched a protest. “I hate oatmeal! Can’t I have biscuits and eggs.”

“No, you cannot! You’ll eat oatmeal or do without! I’m not putting up with a picky eater!” Aunt Kat told him. “Bring me your bowl.”

She flopped oatmeal in his bowl, adding sugar and milk. He ended up eating two bowls. “Where’s Daddy?” He finally thought to ask.

“He went back to help finish digging the well.” she told him.

“Just the men went today” his mother told him. They have to finish up today.”

“Baw!” Billy burst out crying, almost before she finished. “I wanted to go play with Waynie, Troy, and Gary again.

“Girls, Aunt Julie brought a box of Sue’s outgrown clothes and shoes for y’all to share. It’s hard to keep enough of Lynn’s washed up for the two of you.” she said.

“ I hope it’s play clothes. I hate those fancy dresses Aunt Julie makes Sue wear.” Lynn said.

“Whatever she sent, you’ll wear. We can’t go buying more when we don’t have to.” Aunt Kat said. “The little baby’s acting like she’s sleepy. She’s been up since five. If I one of you would rock her to sleep while the other does dishes, y’all could play outside. I can watch Connie while I sew.”

Lynn rushed to do dishes. “I never rocked a baby.” said Lou.

“Nothing to it.” said Aunt Kat. “Sit in the rocker with your arm around her and hold the bottle like this. Keep the bottle tipped up like this. If she gets air, she’ll get a tummy ache.”

The little baby cuddled sweetly into Lou’s arms. She pulled at her bottle eagerly and stared into Lou’s eyes intently. Lou could tell the baby liked her. As she neared the end of the bottle, the baby drifted off to sleep. Aunt Kat lifted the baby out of Lou’s arms and burped her, quietly taking her back to her bed.

When she came back, she shooed the three kids out to play. Connie was scooting happily around the room in her walker.

Thrilled to be outdoors, Lou said, “Let’s go check on Grandma’s bike. She told me in a dream she tried to work on getting it back and it pulled in half. We might find half a bike. Wherever she is now, she’s trying to learn how to get me back home.” They raced to the pear tree. Lou’s scooter was nowhere to be seen but a mangled portion of Grandma’s bike lay in the deep grass. “Wow,” Lou said. “I don’t want to get pulled in half like that. Grandma can take all the time she needs.”

“Sure can,” said Lynn. “It’s fun having you here. Let’s race to the barn!”