Just a Memory

The Beginning of It All

1

My mother had just strapped me into the stroller, I was one years old and we had just moved into a new neighborhood. Our house was big and our neighbors were friendly. They had all invited us over for dinner. There was just one house on the street that we had not yet dined in. 

"Joyce, should you really be taking Brett out right now?" My dad said to my mother. She just nodded and said. "We do this every day; I'm not going to change the schedule."

"You should if you're seven months pregnant," my father retorted. Mom scowled. "Jimmy, I'm fine. If -God forbid- something goes wrong, I'm sure I'll be close enough to get to you."

We started our walk, beginning to leave the neighborhood. My mother used to sing to me while we walked. This particular day she was struggling to remember the lyrics. "Raindrops on roses and pink silver-" she paused. "Oh no, that's not right."

We kept going and she just hummed. Then the house with the unknown neighbor's garage door opened. Two boys tumbled out onto the yard, play wrestling, and a man stormed out.

"Goddammit Maria, I've had it with this," he shouted. 

"Oh, so you're just going to leave me alone with three kids, John?" a lady emerged, holding a baby girl, about a year old. "Forrest, Maverick, stop fighting."

"I'm sure you'll cope," John snapped. "You sued me for all I've got, Maria." He pounded the hood of his car, a Mustang convertible. "See this, baby? I have to sell this in order to pay my rent. And then I'll have to sell my condo so I can eat!"

He jumped in the car, started the engine and drove away at eighty miles per hour. My mom jumped into action. "Maria, is it? I'm really sorry. If you need any help I'm just a few houses down," she said, super friendly. She offered her right hand. "Joyce McLaughlin."

The woman readjusted her daughter on her chest in order to shake my mother's hand. "Maria Hale, nice to meet you."

They talked for an hour, discussing children and houses and cooking. I was a curious kid, and I squealed until my mom would let me out of the stroller so I could see the other baby. "Looks like Brett wants to say hi to your little sweetheart," my mom joked, removing me from the seatbelt.

Maria Hale played with her daughters fingers. "Hey Brett, this is Reece," she said. I stared at this little baby, for I had never seen anything so fascinating. I had no idea what I looked like, but in a world where everyone was bigger than me, Reece seemed like she had the same deal.

"Mommy, I'm hungry," one of Maria's little boys tugged at her shirt. Maria turned away from my mom. "I'll just be a few minutes, Maverick. Just play with your brother until then."

"Oh they're so precious," my mom cooed. Maria shrugged. "I love those boys to death, but they're too much to handle."

"Ever think of starting a playgroup for them? There are a lot of kids who live in this complex," my mom said. "Julie Bishop and I started one for Brett and her son Kyle. Reece looks like she's about the same age."

Maria nodded. "Reece'll be two next July," she said. My mom gasped. "Brett will be two in May! This is perfect! Think about it, promise me."

"Yah, I'll stop by," she said. "I have to make the boys a snack. It was really nice talking to you, Joyce."

They said their goodbyes and we went back home. "Sorry Bretty-boo, it was a short walk," Mom said, kissing my forehead. I regretted it then, but what I didn't know was how much the playgroup would mean to me.