She scrubbed his lips and face with the rough cloth until the skin on his face was red from rubbing. While she cleaned him up, she said, “”After you finish your breakfast Tommy, we’re going to go shopping and guess who’s going with us? Mary! She called while you were asleep this morning and told me that she’d found a store with the most adorable baby outfits! She said that she’s just dying to see you in cute little baby togs! She’ll be here in a little over an hour.”

Tommy groaned inwardly at the news, remembering the last time he saw Mary. This was going to be a long, unpleasant day. Then his mother gave him back his bottle and took the washcloth into the kitchen to rinse out, leaving him sitting alone with the bottle to finish his milk. As Thomas’s thirst slaked, his nursing slowed, allowing his mother time to wash the breakfast dishes.