Ruby wipes her eyes and blows her nose. “Hanna’s school ends in about an hour. Should we pick her up and do a picnic lunch?”
Nodding her head up and down, Em says, “Good idea. She’d love that. We can go to the park with the ducks so that once we’re done eating, she can feed them.”
Seatbelts fastened, the three of them head to the gourmet market, and once there, they place Gabriel in the cart.
“This is the worst time to shop for food,” Em groans. “I am starving.”
“Me too.”
They select a large bowl of cut fruit, a small tray containing fresh cheeses and meats, along with several boxes of crackers.
Em throws in a wrap that has chicken in it and a bag of bar-b-que chips.
Arched eyebrows and her eyes wide, Ruby asks, “Em, don’t you think the cheese, meat, and crackers are enough?”
Em tosses her head, “If I thought they were enough, I wouldn’t be throwing a chicken wrap in for me to eat.”
“Okay, okay,” Ruby says, her hands up in mock surrender. “I think we should get cookies or something.”
“I’m up for cookies. Any cookies.”
“What do you think of this mixed pack? It has chocolate chip, chocolate chocolate chip, and mint chocolate chip.”
“It sounds wonderful. We will limit the children to the quantity though considering the mix of chocolate and sugar.”
Ruby laughs, “Chicken. You’re afraid of a little sugar high?”
“Yes. Yes, I am. Hanna is going to love this. Drinks. We need drinks. I’m just going to grab an enormous bottle of water for myself. I think we should grab a six-pack of juice boxes for Hanna. Or maybe a three-pack if we can get one.”
“Good idea on the juice boxes. I’ll take a bottle of water too. The bigger, the better.”
After grabbing a three-pack of juice, they go through the items in the cart to be sure they have everything. Determining they do, they head to the check-out and then wheel the cart out to the minivan.
Em unloads the groceries and pushes the cart back to the store.
Ruby buckles Gabriel into his car seat.
“C’mon Ruby. We’re going to be late picking up Hanna.”
They are in the back of the pickup line but aren’t the last ones there. They finally reach the doors and there, in the remaining stragglers, stands Hanna.
Em chuckles. “She is not happy. Look at that face.”
Ruby pushes the button and the side door opens.
Hanna walks out accompanied by her teacher who says hi and helps Hanna into the van.
Em hops out to buckle Hanna into her car seat and then climbs back into the minivan.
Ruby looks in the rear-view mirror at her oldest. “How was school today?”
Hanna crosses her arms over her chest. “You guys are late.”
Em puts her face down and a hand over her mouth to hide her smile.
“I’m sorry, honey. We were trying to get our picnic lunch ready.”
Her arms now uncrossed and a smile on her face, Hanna asks, “We’re going on a picnic?”
Ruby nods her head. “Yep. We’re headed to the park now.”
“Remember the picnics we went on with Daddy. Gabriel, you were in Momm’s tummy then.”
Em holds her breath, unsure of how Ruby is going to react to Hanna’s memory. She knows she’s got to look at Ruby, but she’s afraid. It’s been over a year that Ruby has been out of bed this long and interacting with her children. Glancing over, she sees tears.
Ruby pulls a tissue from the container in the console and swipes at her nose. “I remember honey.”
They reach the park and continue driving until they reach the picnic tables near the pond.
Ruby pulls into a parking space and shuts off the engine, making no eye contact with Em. “I just need a minute. Gabriel is sleeping, so I’ll wait here with him. You take Hanna and the bags. We’ll be over shortly.”
Em places her hand on Ruby’s shoulder and whispers, “We can go home if you want and save the picnic for another day.”
Shaking her head, Ruby says, “We’ve already told her, and she’s excited. I’ll be okay. I just need a minute.”
Em stares at her and when she sees Ruby isn’t moving, she climbs out of the minivan. Opening the passenger door behind her, she says, “C’mon Hanna. Let’s get the picnic set up.” She unclips the harness for the car seat.
Squealing, Hanna climbs down out of her seat. “I can help carry the basket Auntie Em.”
“We don’t have a basket but I can use your help with the bags.”
Em and Hanna set off to the closest picnic table.
Her fingers crossed. Em hopes Ruby joins them.