Free SWEET ANTICIPATION by Kathy Clark Page B

an apron. It was the symbol to him of all that was homey and comfortable.
     
    “I’ve had years of practice,” she replied. “My mother believed a woman’s only role in life was to be a good cook, keep a clean house and teach the children to be polite. She would be shocked by the way women act nowadays.”
     
    “How about you? Do you think today’s women are on the wrong track?”
     
    “That’s hard to say, Jordy. In a way, I wish I could have had a chance to become someone important—to make a contribution of some sort. Did you know I once wanted to be a dancer? But back in my day, it wasn’t an acceptable occupation for a lady. I think I would have been pretty good at it, too, but then, on the other hand, I wouldn’t have given up my life with your grandfather for anything in the world. And frankly, I don’t envy today’s women. They’re so busy that they don’t seem to have time to sit back and enjoy life.”
     
    “You didn’t have to become a dancer to be an important person, Grandma.” Jordan reassured her with a hug. “Just look at this family that you and Grandpa created. I think you’ve done a pretty darn good job with all of us.”
     
    “Yes, we’ve been very lucky. They’ve all turned out pretty well, haven’t they? There’s Sherry and her husband, Ronnie, with their little girl.” Jordan’s grandmother pointed toward one of his cousins and her family. “Isn’t that the most adorable child you’ve ever seen? Oh, and there’s Jeff and his wife, Lori. Their twins are how old now? Two? Two and a half? I believe they’d rather stomp on those eggs than put them in their baskets. At that age they can be such terrors.”
     
    For several minutes Jordan and his grandmother swung slowly back and forth, each thinking his or her own thoughts as they watched the antics of the little ones scrambling to find the most colored eggs and chocolate rabbits. They all looked so cute, with the girls in their frilly Easter dresses and the boys outfitted in suits with short pants. Jordan had no idea how many dozens of eggs had been hidden in the flower beds or around the bases of the trees, but no matter how long and hard everyone looked, there were bound to be three or four eggs that wouldn’t be discovered for months, by which time they would be spoiled. Jordan chuckled at the memories of how he and his cousins used to dispose of those.
     
    “Are you remembering the time you and Jack put all those rotten eggs on your uncle’s engine? Mercy, what an odor! No one could stand to be anywhere near that car when the engine was running. I think he finally had to trade it in.” His grandmother tried to look reproachful, but the twitching of the corners of her mouth gave her away.
     
    “How did you know that was us? All these years, I thought no one knew who had done that and after all the stink, if you’ll pardon the expression, neither Jack nor I would dare admit it.”
     
    “You were quite a scamp when you were younger. I’m glad you were finally able to channel your energies and imagination into something productive. I can’t imagine what it would be like to go through life without children,” she said sympathetically. “I think it’s wonderful that you’re trying to help all those couples’ dreams come true.”
     
    Jordan gave a modest shrug, but before he could answer, she continued along a more personal track. “So tell me, when are you going to get married and have a little one out there with the rest of them? I’m getting pretty old and I had hoped you’d give me a great-grandchild before it’s my time to go be with your grandpa.”
     
    As Jordan stared out across the newly mown grass, he could almost see a chubby little boy toddling along, one tiny hand gripped in Jordan’s much larger one. Within the next two years it could very likely be a reality. But Jordan was reluctant to tell his grandmother about the baby. After all, what did he really have to tell her? That he mayor