One nice hot Monday in July 1991 Mr. Perfect and I had decided to invite one of his employees over for dinner and for Family Home Evening. Having moved into our new home a few months before, I decided that I needed to grab a little decoration for our home while on my way to make copies for our lesson that night. I took my then four kids, ages 3 months, 2, 3 & 5, to run the errands with me. The first stop was Hurst’s Ben Franklin, the local variety store. Mr. Perfect had done some work for them and had some trade there, so I thought it would be great to pick up a couple of silk plants and vases to spruce up the living room.
Upon arriving in the store, we ran into my mother. The kids jumped up and down and yelled at seeing Grandma, then began running up and down the stairs with more energy than all of us put together. I also arranged to meet Mr. Perfect there which added to the kid’s excitement.
I was holding the baby, Scout, in his car seat and it was getting really heavy. I sat him on the counter that I was standing next to while asking the ladies there for help. Mr. Perfect became so frustrated with the kids running around that he announced to me, “I’m going home and taking the kids!”
Well, that was a relief, since I was in a hurry to get things taken care of for the evening anyway. MP told me the procedure I had to go through to check out since we were doing a trade, then he left.
With his instructions running through my mind to keep things straight, I quickly made my selection, and gathered up my goods and made my way to the checkout. I raced to the car, ran to make my copies and hurried home knowing I was already behind schedule, our guest was probably there at the house, and I didn’t have dinner started.
As I pulled in the driveway and got out of the car, I was met by MP who quickly asked me if I had forgotten anything. I started running through the list in my head, hoping I hadn’t but couldn’t come up with anything. I looked at him inquisitively and said, “No, I don’t think so. What?”
He then asked me, “Where is the BABY?” I began to think backwards….”he wasn’t in the car. I couldn’t remember taking him out or leaving him in the car at the copy store….” Then interrupting my thought process, MP snapped, “YOU LEFT THE BABY AT HURST’S!!!”
“WHAT??!!!” I replied. Then my heart began beating out of my chest.
“I received a call a few minutes ago.” MP said.
“Is Denise Webster there?”
“No she isn’t. May I take a message?”
“This is the manager at Hurst’s. When do you expect her home?”
“Well, she was just at your store, and……”
“Yes, I know that. She left her baby here.”
“WHAT?? Is he Okay?”
“Well, yes, but he woke up and we had to give him a little water, if that’s all right.”
“Uh, sure it’s all right. I’m sorry. She had to run another errand. Maybe she will remember and pick him up in a few minutes.”
I pulled up shortly after this conversation. Now remember, this was in the BC days (before cell phones) which is why I believe cell phones were invented—for mother’s like me! Fortunately, at that time, the town was still small enough that you knew most everyone, and the workers in that store had gone to school with MP and I, so they knew us. Still, that didn’t calm my heart from pounding out of my chest.
MP was frantic because I had been so long and had forgotten the baby. I was frantic because not only had I left the baby, but on top of it, our company was there and I hadn’t started dinner.
Like a nice wife, I sent MP and the guest to pick up the baby for two reasons: 1. I was extremely embarrassed, and 2. MP had no idea how to start the dinner.
I don’t think my heart quit pounding for about 3 or 4 hours, and I couldn’t put that baby down after that. I had to hang on to him! I didn’t even trust myself.
If would be nice if the story ended here, but it just so happens that it doesn’t. It gets better.
Continued……