Chapter 23：To her relief

Chapter Nine

She didn't see Leo when she came home. He stayed out of sight. If he was in the house, she didn't know where he was. She was relieved. He was the last person she felt like talking to after all the grief she got earlier that day because of him.

That afternoon, Mrs. Edwards and Mrs. Tobias stopped by to visit her. She led them to the parlor with the two couches and three chairs. It was more comfortable than the parlor with the large oval table. She sat on the light blue couch that was on the opposite side of the two white chairs.

―It's good to see you, Jessica greeted. The two older women were leaders of the Women's Christian Group at the church and since Jessica often attended their meetings and volunteered to help out at their functions, she thought of them as friends. ―We were wondering if you are feeling alright, Mrs. Edwards said. ―We missed you at church today.

―Oh, that. She shifted uncomfortably on the couch. ―I got detained. Mrs. Ritter and Miss Duff wished to speak with me about a personal matter that couldn't wait. ―Is someone sick? Mrs. Tobias asked, immediately concerned.

―No. Everything is fine. She didn't wish to go into the conversation with her two friends. She hoped that the women sitting across from her wouldn't ask her anything else about it. To her relief, they didn't.

―Well, we wanted to ask you if you're up to cooking three dozen chocolate chip cookies. Tom and Ian just got adopted and we're going to throw a party to celebrate. We plan to go by the orphanage tomorrow but we don't cook as well as you do.

―They finally found someone to adopt the two brothers so they can stay together? Jessica was happy to hear this. ―Mr. and Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Tobias replied. ―The doctor confirmed that they won't be able to have any children, and after much prayer and consideration, they decided to adopt the two boys.

Mrs. Edwards added, ―We think everyone will get along wonderfully once the initial period of getting to know each other is worked through. That process can be awkward for both the children and adults.

―We can't expect people are thrown into a new situation with someone they hardly know to embrace it right away, Mrs. Tobias agreed.

―If people are willing to open their hearts to the other person, things usually work out. We have yet to see a case where people feel the need to depart from each other. Jessica suddenly wondered if they were talking about her and Leo. She cleared her throat and decided to ignore the hint. Instead, she said, ―When do the cookies have to be ready? They looked startled by the question.

―I will make the cookies, Jessica clarified. So they hadn't come over to ask her about cookies. They were trying to talk her into staying married. She didn't know that so many people were devoted to Mr. Monroe. Mrs. Edwards quickly nodded.

―Yes. Thank you, Jessica. We had feared that you would be too busy to help...but you're not, right? She studied Jessica with intense interest. ―Right, Jessica responded, pretending she didn't notice their shock.

―I have absolutely nothing to do. I spent most of this day by myself. I've seen very little of Mr. Monroe since the reception. He's always running off somewhere. I even had to eat breakfast and lunch by myself. There's nothing to this whole marriage thing. It's a wonder that wives don't die of boredom. She stood up.

―I do want to get started on those cookies. I do enjoy making them. I'm pleased you thought of me for this task. They looked too stunned to speak as they stood up. ―What time should I deliver them to the orphanage? Jessica asked. Mrs. Tobias finally answered.

―The next morning at eight, she stammered. ―Good! I'll deliver them since I'll have the whole morning to myself. Jessica showed them out the front door.