Barbara Jean- born April13th 1956

   April 13, 1956 Mary Ann was cleaning  like crazy. Mopping the floors on her hands and knees. Kids in school and Bill at work. All was well.It was a long month,.Bill kept his word and was not drinking, he came home after work and spent time with the kids. Didn't say he wasn't  crabby because that he was, he knew he wanted a drink, but a promise was a promise.
   The sweat poured down Mary Ann's forehead as she stood to dump the last of the wash water for the floors.
    The water seemed a bit heavier now and as it poured she stepped back because she was pouring water on her feet. She grabbed a towel to wipe it up when she realized the water was running down her leg and then there was a gush of water and lots more on the floor, she was in labor.
     Everything was packed and ready to go because the baby played an April fools joke on her and decided not to come on April 1st. She picked up the phone and called Bill, while she waited she wondered if this was going to set him off again or would he now be happy.
     Bill wanted a son, Mary Ann thought it was to replace the son he didn't get to see, he said it was because girls were too hard and boys were just easier. Mary Ann didn't care as long as it was healthy.
     Barbara Jean Terwey was born on April 13th 1956, she was their  1st born child together and Bill was disappointed but loved her none the less. Mary Ann counted all her fingers and toes and Bill told the nurse to check one more time and make sure it was a girl. The nurse laughed but cordially obliged.
     Bill had also started working for Hertz rent a car as more than just a runner, he was now a mechanic and stopped window washing. Mary Ann just stayed home now and took care of the kids, that was a handful alone. Linda and Tim rebelled a bit more especially Linda. It was hard for her to share her mother and she didn't  want bothers and sisters.
    Mary Ann's best friend was Pat she was Art's daughter in law.The neighbor she didn't like. I knew him and he ironically became Barbara's Godfather.
    Mary Ann had a dog as well by then her name was Cocoa and she was a beautiful red Cocker Spaniel.
    Barbie loved Cocoa, she shared food off her spoon or fork with her and let the dog lick her lips ( yuck)
and she could sit for hours and pet Cocoa and she wouldn't move.
    It's Feb. 1958 and Mary Ann thinks she's pregnant again. This time she was really terrified to tell Bill she was pregnant, Pat told her to do it in a public place so he couldn't go to crazy.
    So Mary Ann met him at the corner Rexall drug store and had a glass of coke with him. It was nice for them to be a bit alone," I'm pregnant, we're going to have  another baby in October, I'm a month late." Bill just sat quiet, he didn't know what to say so he just didn't say anything.
    Mary Ann thought it was a bit odd, but it was better than the last time. Things were better now.
     Thank you Lord, is all she could muster.