Rather than spoil the visit with her gloomy mood, Katerina pasted on a false
smile and gushed, “Wonderful. We met my grandfather. He's been widowed for
several years, but he recently remarried a lovely singer from France.”
Julia smiled. “I'm glad to hear it. It's not good to be alone.”
“No. I suppose not. Um, Mother?”
Her tone must not have been as neutral as she'd intended because Julia
suddenly focused on her. “Yes, love?”
Katerina swallowed. “I wanted to ask a favor of you.”
Her mother-in-law leaned forward with an encouraging nod. “What do you
need?”
“Well,” Katerina said slowly. “I remember you were talking about having a
party for us, for our wedding…”
“Yes. I did want to do that.”
She chewed her lip and thought another moment. “My birthday is coming up
at the end of April, and I was wondering if you would…”
Julia seemed to understand her reluctance and didn't force her to complete the question. “Yes. Of course. Just tell me how you want it to be: how big, whom
we should invite. I don't want to overwhelm you.”
“Thank you,” Katerina said, relaxing. “I appreciate it.”
“You seem… better,” Julia commented.
“Oh, I am. So much better.” She smiled.
“And also troubled.”
Drat, she noticed. “Well, yes, that also.”
“Care to talk about it?” Julia asked, her eyes kind.
“If you'd like,” Katerina replied. But how on earth will I be able to express
myself this time?
“Of course I will listen to anything you care to share, my dear. First, tell me
what's good.”
That part, at least, was easy. “I love Christopher. He loves me too. We figured it out in Italy.”
“Excellent!” Julia exclaimed, her wide smile showing slightly gapped front
teeth. “And the troubling part?”
A sharp pain drew Katerina's attention to the fact that she had nibbled her fingernail to the quick. “I'm… expecting.”
“Expecting?” Julia gave her a quizzical glance.
“Yes. Expecting a baby.”
“Oh, dear. That happened fast, didn't it?”
She does understand. Thank the Lord. “It did. I'm… not ready. I don't know
how I'm going to handle this.”
Julia patted her hand. “Well, fortunately, babies are born with simple needs.
It allows mothers a chance to grow into caring for them. When is the baby due?”
“Late September or early October, according to a doctor we met on the
boat.”
