Leftovers: A Novel (27 page)

Their other joint collaboration arrived a little more than nine months after the wedding on October 15, 1956. The thrilled parents couldn’t imagine naming their beautiful 8.5-pound baby girl anything other than Milagra. For, to both of them, she would always be their miracle.

Vivian continued to be the spokeswomen for Tupperware but tried to make sure, in regard to scheduling, that husband and child came first. She also strongly encouraged Stew to ask for his job back on the force.

He was not only reinstated but shortly afterwards, his boss retired and Stew was named Captain of the Abbot Police Department.

Irene kept her townhouse on Beacon Hill and Mary O’Connor continued to live with her but had to be very careful not to overexert herself. In an ironic and appropriate twist of fate, Irene was now taking care of Mary.

Paul married Eleanor and they moved to California. Inspired by Vivian’s commercial and print success, he hoped he could cash in on his good looks and make it as an actor out in Hollywood. Vivian had recently received a letter from Eleanor telling her that as they awaited his big break, he was currently pumping gas at a Shell station. Vivian wasn’t sure if he’d ever make it in the movies, but she was glad that he was on the opposite side of the country and hoped he stayed there . . . forever.

And Babs? She did quit her dental receptionist job and became the manager of Vivian’s Tupperware team. She was still single and still hunting for a man, but she also proved herself to be one lifesaver of a babysitter.

On one particular evening, just months after Milagra was born, Babs had the baby dressed in a find she had discovered at an estate sale. Originally made for a large doll, Babs had reworked the silk dress, which had a luscious red rose print on it, into a stunning evening gown. With a cowl neck, skinny matching belt and layers of tulle underneath its full circle skirt, it looked like something Audrey Hepburn would have worn in a high fashion shoot.

While playing on the living room rug, Babs stacked a tower of Milagra’s favorite building blocks . . . Tupperware bowls. As soon as they were up, the baby kicked them over.

“Yay! See? Unbreakable!” Babs said as she clapped her hands. “I love Mi-la-gra! Can you say, ‘I love you too, Auntie Babs?’ Let’s go find out what’s for dinner.”

Milagra giggled hysterically as Babs picked her up.

Stew had just gotten home from the precinct and was wearing his captain’s uniform and Vivian, still in full make-up, had rushed in from a photo shoot. The two of them were whipping up dinner together as Babs entered the kitchen with the baby in her arms.

“So Milagra, I met this guy . . . ”

“Babs!” shouted Vivian.

“Sorry. Mmm, doesn’t it smell good in here? What’s for din din?”

Stew started to plate the food. “Just herbed pork loin with roasted brussel sprouts and orange glazed mango chutney carrots.”

“Just?” Babs asked. Milagra giggled as she put her ear to her lips. “What’s that? You wonder how your mom and dad found the time to put together such a delicious dinner with their crazy, busy schedules?” Babs turned to them. “Milagra wants to know your secret.”

Vivian and Stew looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders and then held up the Tupperware containers.

Together they laughed saying, “It’s leftovers!”

ARTHUR WOOTEN is the author of the critically acclaimed novels
Birthday Pie
,
On Picking Fruit
and
Fruit Cocktail
. He’s also penned the children’s picture book
Wise Bear William: A New Beginning
and the collection of short stories,
Arthur Wooten’s Shorts.
A playwright, his works include the award winning
Birthday Pie
, which had its world premiere at the Waterfront Playhouse, Key West, FL. His one act plays,
Lily
and
The Lunch
, have been produced Off-Off Broadway and for two years he has been the humorist for the London based magazine, reFRESH. Arthur grew up in Andover, MA and now resides in New York City.

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