Lisa: I hadn’t thought about that. Thank you. I hope they wear themselves out that they will just sleep through the night.

They talked about how Lisa’s pregnancy was going as Bette brought out the appetizers and offered Lisa something to drink. She asked for some fruit juice and some water. Bette and Tina talked about the upcoming holidays and Paris’s wedding. They talked about Margaret and Mary and how well they seemed to be getting along and then they talked about Daniel and Angie and their lives. And by the time that Jeanette and Paris arrived, if was almost 5:00. Tina advised James to get the children out of the pool and dressed for dinner. Bette and Tina got Paris and Jeanette a drink and offered to show them to their room for the night. Paris said they had already put their stuff away as Mary had shown them the way. Bette and Tina asked that they be excused to get dinner ready. Lisa went to assist James with the children’s showers and dressing and Mary and Margaret joined Paris and Jeanette on the patio for a drink.

Bette started the water for the broccoli and the cheese sauce for the kids. Tina put on the salmon and put the rice in the oven to warm up. They then started to set the table and arrange the seating so that James and Lisa would sit next to their children to assist with their meals if they needed it. At ages of 5 and 7 years old, sometimes they need the assistance. Tina brought out the glasses for tea, water and wine. Bette set up the ice bin to fill the glasses. The flatware, the napkins and the condiments were set on the table.

Just before six, James, Lisa and the children came out in jogging suits to have dinner. The food was served, the drinks were served and meal began. The children were obviously hunger and ate as if they had not eaten in days. Lisa thought this was a good sign that they would both be asleep at their regular going to bed time. James and Lisa enjoyed the meal as well. Lisa enjoyed cooking but she lacked energy in the evenings and preparing dinners such as this took more than she could muster at the moment. The conversation was friendly and James was anxious to know Mary and now Margaret better.