Sewing in Circles (11 page)

“Definitely have him apply next year,” Mrs. Perry suggested. “And tell him to think about having some of his work printed on greeting cards. Those always sell well at the fair.”

“That's a good idea,” Zoey said. “Thanks, I'll tell him.”

As soon as she hung up, she called Ezra to tell him the news.

“It's too bad about the booth,” she said. “But you should definitely try next year. And what do you think about doing the greeting cards?”

“I'll think about it,” Ezra said. “It sounds great.”

“That's what I thought,” Zoey said. “I bet you'd sell lots of them!”

“Hey, are you going to be home in an hour?” Ezra asked.

“Yeah,” Zoey said. “I have to make more bracelets for the gift fair.”

“Is it okay if I stop by to drop something off?”

“What is it?” Zoey asked.

“If I tell you, it won't be a surprise,” Ezra said.

“Sure, it's okay,” Zoey said. “But now I'm dying of curiosity!”

“I'll be there soon!”

The hour passed really slowly as Zoey tried to concentrate on making bracelets and not wonder what Ezra was bringing over. Finally, the doorbell rang, and she ran to answer it.

Ezra stood there holding a small painting.

“I brought this for you,” he said. “Thanks for trying to get me a booth.”

“That's so sweet!” Zoey said. “I'm really sorry it didn't work out.”

“Well, I appreciate you making the call,” Ezra said. “I'll apply next year. Anyway, I better run. I just wanted to give this to you.”

“Thanks, I love it!” Zoey called to him as he ran back to the car where his dad waited.

The painting was a small autumn landscape, and the colors were bright yellows and reds and golds against the earthy browns of tree trunks. Looking at it, Zoey suddenly had a wonderful idea: She could take the digital photographs of Ezra's paintings and screen print them onto scarves and headbands to sell at her booth as a surprise for Ezra. That way, she'd have more accessories and he'd get more
exposure for his art. She could even give him the profits from the sales, because they'd be printed with his artwork.

It seemed like the perfect solution to both problems. She couldn't wait to see his reaction. She loved his surprise. She hoped he would love hers.

“This is the first baby shower I've ever been to,” Marcus said as they walked up to the door to Aunt Lulu and Uncle John's house, which was decorated with yellow, white, and silver balloons. “Well, except for mine, and I don't remember much about that.”

“I haven't been to many myself,” Dad said. “They used to be ladies-only affairs, but I guess the times they are a-changing.”

“Why shouldn't it be coed?” Zoey asked. “If both parents are supposed to look after the baby, then they both should have a party.”

“True,” Dad said.

When Aunt Lulu answered the door, Zoey noticed right away that she wasn't wearing the outfit she'd made.

“Come on in!” Lulu said.

Zoey handed her the gift bag containing the sweet baby outfit she'd made for her new cousin, and Dad handed Lulu the very professionally wrapped present he'd told them the Mystery Lady had chosen—even though she'd decided not to come to the shower.

Aunt Lulu kissed them all.

“Where's Buttons?” Zoey asked as she looked around for her aunt's adorable dog, who usually greeted Zoey at the door.

“He's at doggie day care today, since there are so many people here for the party. Let's go join them,” she said. “Your new cousin-to-be is the star attraction. I've never had so many people touching my stomach in my life!”

Zoey watched her aunt entertaining her friends, laughing as they felt the baby move under their hands. She desperately wanted to ask Aunt Lulu why she wasn't wearing the dress, but with her aunt and the bump being the center of attention—not to mention the hostess with the mostest—it was impossible to get a quiet moment to pose the question.

Already a little worried about being relegated to second place when the baby arrived, Zoey wondered if Aunt Lulu would be able to keep her promise that she'd still consider Zoey as her first daughter. She tried to push the thought out of her mind and enjoy the party—after all, this was
Aunt Lulu
, who had always been wonderful and loving toward her. But why wasn't Aunt Lulu wearing the dress? Was she lying when she said she liked it? It wasn't like her aunt to lie to her, but everything seemed to be changing at the moment.

“You look way too serious for a baby shower,” Uncle John said. “Have a cupcake!”

“They look great,” Zoey said, taking a yellow frosted cupcake.

“They taste pretty good, too,” Uncle John said, winking. “I had to eat one for quality control.”

Zoey giggled and took a bite. It was good.

“Don't go anywhere with those cupcakes before I get one,” Marcus warned, walking over from the other side of the room, followed closely by Dad.

“Me too,” Dad said. “I've been eyeing those since we got here.”

Uncle John offered them each a cupcake, then said, “I better go circulate before the Webber family decimates dessert.”

As he walked off, Marcus said, “I can't believe your girlfriend wouldn't come to this, Dad. Wouldn't she want to join you since it's such a special family occasion?”

Zoey watched her dad's face take on the familiar pained expression he got whenever they talked about meeting the Mystery Lady.

“She wanted to come,” Dad said. “She was really conflicted about it, because this could be her future niece. I mean—”

He stopped, seeing Marcus and Zoey exchange shocked glances.

“You can't be seriously considering marrying someone you haven't even introduced us to yet, can you?” Marcus asked.

“Yeah, if you get married to someone we've never met, Marcus and I might just have to think about boycotting the wedding!” Zoey protested, only half joking.

“Listen, I would never think about marrying
someone without you guys meeting her and liking her,” Dad said.

“But . . . you said ‘future niece,' ” Marcus pointed out.

“We do like each other . . . a lot,” Dad admitted. “I won't lie to you. It is potentially serious, but there are no solid plans, okay? And these kinds of conversations happen in relationships. But you guys are my number-one priority, always. That's why it's so important to me that you both like her.”

“It's kind of hard to like someone you've never met,” Zoey said.

Dad laughed.

“You will meet her. Soon,” he said. “And
definitely
before there are any real talks of marriage!”

“Okay, everyone!” Aunt Lulu announced. “It's time to open the presents!”

Everyone gathered around in the living room, and Marcus and Zoey took turns handing Aunt Lulu presents while Uncle John kept a careful list of who gave what, so they could write thank-you notes.

“Zoey, this is just too cute for words!” Aunt Lulu exclaimed when she held up the outfit and hooded
bath towel Zoey made. “Everyone, my incredibly talented niece made these! She's been on TV, you know!”

Zoey blushed but was secretly pleased by how proud Aunt Lulu was of her.

Marcus handed Aunt Lulu the very beautifully wrapped present from Dad.

“This is from Dad,” he said. “But you know he didn't wrap it. The Mystery Lady did.”

“She chose it, too,” Dad admitted.

Aunt Lulu opened the box and took out an adorable onesie with a bunny motif and a matching hat, and a hand-knit baby blanket. Zoey was impressed.

“Well, I have to give the Mystery Lady points for good taste,” she said.

“Oh, she has really good taste,” Aunt Lulu agreed.

“Wait, you've met her?” Marcus asked.

“We have,” Uncle John said.

“She's great,” Aunt Lulu assured them. “You guys are going to love her. I promise you.”

“Yeah, if we ever get to meet her,” Marcus grumbled.

“Patience, grasshopper. You will,” Aunt Lulu said.

“I know. Sorry, Aunt Lulu,” Marcus said.

“It's okay, honey, I understand,” Aunt Lulu said. “Now hand me the next present.”

When all the presents were unwrapped, and everyone had placed their bets on the birth date and sex of the baby, it was time to go. As Zoey was about to leave, Aunt Lulu waddled over to say goodbye and took her aside.

“Zoey, honey, I wanted to apologize for not wearing the dress you made for me to the shower. You see . . . Niblet here must have had a little growth spurt between Friday and this morning, because I put on the dress and then, when I sat down before the party to put my feet up and rest my swollen ankles, I heard this great big riiiiippppp!” she explained. “And what do you know! My entire backside was hanging out when I got up!”

“Oh no!” Zoey exclaimed.

“Oh yes!” Aunt Lulu said. “Thank goodness it happened
before
the guests arrived!”

“And that you had a backup dress,” Zoey said.

“That too. The doctors are actually thinking of moving my due date up because the baby is growing
so fast,” Aunt Lulu said. “Anyway, I wanted to tell you earlier, but I got all tied up with party things.”

“I'm just glad that it wasn't because you didn't like the dress,” Zoey said.

“Of course not! I love the dress! In fact, I was hoping you can fix it to make it into a loose comfy dress for after the baby is born,” Aunt Lulu said.

“Sure, I can do that,” Zoey said. “Where is it? I'll take it home now and see what I can do.”

“It's upstairs on the bed in our room. Thanks, Zo,” Aunt Lulu said. “I look forward to the day I can wear it!”

Beary Cute!

Aunt Lulu's shower was a blast—so many adorable little baby clothes and tiny little cupcakes. Still no clues about if I'm having a boy or a girl cousin—Aunt Lulu purposely picked a “gender neutral” color scheme of white and yellow for everything, from the table
decorations, to the flowers to the cupcake frosting! Aunt Lulu and Uncle John loved the beary cute things I made for the baby, I'm happy to report. And I have learned something about Dad's Mystery Lady, though—she has good fashion sense, at least in baby clothes.
The outfit she picked out for my cousin-to-be was really cute.