Free Providence by Lisa Colozza Cocca Page B

chair,” I said.
    “You go ahead, Becky,” Rosie answered. “Georgia and I will be right here, soaking in the excitement of the day.”
    As I walked back to the Second Hand Rose after helping Lydie, I spotted Rosie coming out of the store. She was toting a bucketful of flags, but what was worrying me was what she wasn’t toting. I couldn’t see Baby Girl’s stroller through the people, so I sprinted the rest of the block.
    “No need to run in this heat. I can carry this myself,” Rosie said.
    I was looking at Baby Girl. She was curled up safe and sound in Dottie’s arms. Dottie was gazing down at her with such tenderness that it made me put all my bad feelings about the inquiring waitress aside.
    “You didn’t think I left Georgia alone out here, did you?” Rosie asked. “I got to thinking that it wouldn’t be unpatriotic to do business on the Fourth if that business was selling flags. I waved Dottie on over and she sat here with Georgia while I got the flags out of the window.”
    I took the bucket from Rosie and placed it by her chair. Before I could take Georgia from Dottie, I heard someone call my name. I looked up and saw Sarah approaching.
    “Hi!” she said. “I was hoping I would find you here.” She waved a paperback book with its cover on in front of her. “Right after the parade, I have to go with my parents to my aunt’s house for a week. From there we are going to pick up my brother from camp and then we’re going on to Virginia Beach for vacation. I’ll be gone for four weeks, which required a stockpile of books. I started this one on my way home from the store and finished it before I could pack. I thought you might like to read it next.”
    “Thanks,” I said as she handed me the book. It was hard to come up with social words when all I could think of was Dottie holding Baby Girl. I had such a need to hold that baby in my arms at that moment.
    Rosie put her arm around my shoulders. “Becky, are you going to introduce us to your friend?”
    My cheeks started to heat up. “Yes, I’m sorry. This is Sarah Hanson. Sarah, this is Rosie Perkins.”
    “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Perkins,” Sarah said.
    “Call me Rosie; everyone does,” Rosie answered.
    Sarah smiled and nodded.
    I waved my arm toward Dottie. “This is Dottie, and you’ve already met Georgia.”
    Dottie lifted her chin and said, “I’ve seen you around the diner.”
    Sarah nodded again. “I have to go. My parents are all the way at the end of the street. I hope you enjoy the book. I also put an invitation in there. When I get back, I’m having a pool party. It won’t be over the top or anything, just a few friends. My dad will throw some dogs and burgers on the grill for us. We’ll swim, eat, talk, dance, and whatever. It might be the last chance for fun before school starts again. I hope you can come.”
    “Maybe,” I said. “Thanks again for the book. I’ll take good care of it and get it back to you after I read it.”
    As soon as Sarah walked away, I reached down to take Baby Girl from Dottie’s arms. “Thanks for your help,” I said, as I wrapped my arms around the baby.
    “Any time,” Dottie answered. “She’s a little angel.”
    Dottie went back across the street, and Rosie and I settled back into our chairs. The flags sold in the flick of a cat’s tail. “All gone,” Rosie said.
    “Yup,” I responded.
    “Becky, I would never put doing business before the needs of that little girl you’re holding. I knew she would be safe with Dottie.”
    I reached over and took her hand. “I’m just being silly. I know you would never put her in harm’s way. Let’s just forget about it.”
    “No. Worrying is what mamas do, and I gave you cause to worry, so I apologize.”
    Before I could respond a band began to play. “Yankee Doodle” filled the air, and I covered Baby Girl’s ears to protect her from the booming drums. I felt a little homesick watching the band in their matching uniforms march