Stevie has friends all over the neighborhood. He and Rafferty are inseparable. Andrew has gotten over the colic. The all nighters are at an end, but I need to watch his breathing. There's a little wheeze, but it doesn't seem to be anything to worry the doctor. He assures me that babies outgrow natal asthma. It's a good thing I'm nursing, or his asthma could be worsend by cow's milk or some kind of formula. Stevie is still mad at me for not bringing home a sister, but he's getting used to the brother.
And I'm content.
Then the phone call. Stan's mother calls and tells us that Bill (her husband) is acting "funny." He's still trying to continue his business as an insurance salesman, but he doesn't quite have it all together. She's worried. I don't think I need to go into details if any of you have had any experience with an elderly person in the beginnings of dementia.
She's in her late 60s and he's in his late 70s, and there are no relatives except us. What do we do, what do we do? We're settled here, we're buying a house, but....
It still remains, Stan is an only child, in fact the only living relative of his parents. So, we put MY home on the market. Stan wants to recoup the money we've paid so far on the mortgage, but there aren't any takers. People can buy houses in this same tract for a good deal less money. In the end, we turn over the keys to the mortgage company, and just drive away.
Stan called a friend in California, a grade school-high school buddy, fraternity brother, and described the problem. T. said he and his wife C. would come immediately and help us move. So, as soon as they got there, Stan hired a moving van, T & C packed a lot of stuff (like linens and small things) in the huge trunk of their Cadillac convertible. We loaded the van and hooked it up to the old Hudson (anybody remember that car?).
Stevie went in the car with T & C, and we made a bed for Andrew in the back seat of the Hudson. But big trouble. Many tears. Much pleading. But we had to leave Rafferty behind. No matter how we explained, he couldn't understand why we couldn't take the dog. One of the neighbors said she would like to have Rafferty, as her kids had become accustomed to playing with him, and they were thinking of getting a dog, anyway. Problem solved as far as parent were concerned, but I don't think Stephen ever forgave us for leaving his buddy behind.
Stan finished out the school year, then resigned. Without any prospect of a job in California. But we're on our way.
Next: Oops! trouble.