By the time Veronica graced the O’Malley family with her arrival, nine-year-old Marge was the only one to notice their mother’s weight gain. Despite wearing extra layers to hide her expanding girth for previous pregnancies, none of the children were aware of their mother’s pregnancy weight gain.
However, by Easter Sunday in 1923, Marge was more perceptive and noticed her mother was getting plump—even taking into account extra clothes. She’d heard her aunts mention many times it was impolite to ask anyone about their weight. Marge puzzled what it could be. She wouldn’t accept the possibility of her mother being sick and decided she was just eating too much. Marge wanted to help her mother lose weight.
“Ma, I don’t think you need that extra piece of pie.”
Her mother just gave her the oddest look. By July 4, 1923, when her parents hosted a family holiday get-together, her normally trim mother was becoming huge, and she didn’t know what to do. And then she had a brilliant, albeit non-too-subtle, idea using her favorite stuffed animal.
“Ma, can we set an extra place for Happy Hippo? He’s on a diet and won’t eat much.”
“Of course, ye can, me darling.”
Marge dragged an extra chair, complete with three pillows so Happy could reach the table and set a small plate and spoon in front of him. “Now Happy, remember. You’re on a diet, so you only get one pea and one piece of corn.” Marge was proud of herself believing she skillfully made her point, but her parents just laughed. Frustrated, Marge continued to carry Happy Hippo at every meal with gentle reminders not to eat so much.
Two months later, on September 23, 1923, the unthinkable happened. Her worst fears were confirmed when a neighbor rushed over to care for her mother. Marge thought her mother must be sick, and her plan to reduce her mother’s weight had been a failure. For some unknown reason, her father turned the radio volume up louder than she had ever heard before. Maybe he’s going deaf? I have my work cut out for me.
Fortunately for their mother, it was a gorgeous day outside with warm sunshine, a slight breeze, and a perfect temperature of 75 degrees.
“Why don’t ye all go outside and play with yer friends?”
“But Da, we have to do our chores first or Ma will be upset,” said Marge as she thought, Clearly, he doesn’t know the house rules, and I don’t want to be punished.
“Yer Ma gave her permission, this one time, not ta do yer chores before playing. But ye must come inside when I call.”
“We will, Da.” The children, except Marge, agreed before rushing outside to avoid giving him time to change his mind.
But Marge hung back and fretted. “Da, maybe I should stay inside in case you or Ma need my help.” Marge’s worried expression deepened as she fought indecision over having fun or duty as the oldest.
She stopped fidgeting when her father responded, “Marge, it would make yer Ma so happy ta know ye helped yer younger siblings.”
Relieved to receive her father’s permission to play outside, she tried to be sad but couldn’t quite carry it off because playing outside sounded like so much fun.
Just as they completed their outdoor missions of conquering new worlds, warding off invaders, and capturing bank robbers, their father called them back inside. Tired out from their hard work, the band of four came into the kitchen looking for their usual treat of hot chocolate. Instead, the neighbor had placed a bundle on the kitchen table. Perhaps it was a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies or brownies, why the delicious possibilities were endless.
Marge pulled the cover back and saw it was a doll. No wonder they wanted everyone outside. They wanted them to be surprised by a new toy. But then the doll moved! Tiny feet began to kick, and a shrill scream emitted from the tiny bundle.
“It’s a bay-be.” Marge squealed. Three-year-old Ellen stood on tippy-toes and her eyes barely cleared the tabletop to confirm the miraculous new arrival. Marge-in-charge began leading the posse of four toward their mother’s room. “Come on, we gotta tell Ma the surprise.”
Their father deftly stepped in front of them, blocking the entrance to their mother’s bedroom. “Yer Ma already knows the surprise. She’s tired and needs ta rest.”
William asked his father with lips trembling in anticipation, “Is it a boy baby or girl baby?”
“A girl baby. Her name is Veronica.”
William was heartbroken. “You promised the next one would be a boy.”
Michael picked up his son, softly rubbed his back, and said, “It’s up ta God if it’s a boy or girl. Perhaps the next one will be a boy.” William’s sobs increased until hiccups took his mind off this calamitous event. Through sheer exhaustion, he fell asleep on his father’s shoulder and was placed in his bed for a much-needed nap.
Over the next week, neighbors took turns caring for their mother and Veronica. The children were able to visit for thirty minutes each day, provided they were quiet and didn’t overexert their mother.
Three days later, their mother was able to eat one meal a day at the kitchen table with her family enjoying food prepared by neighbors. Marge couldn’t believe how much weight her mother lost and was pleased to learn wishes really did come true.
Filled with courage, Marge asked her mother, “How did you lose all that weight so fast?” She secretly hoped her mother would attribute it to Happy Hippo but was astonished at the response.
Her mother blushed and said she was carrying their newest sibling next to her heart. Marge was devastated. Oh no! Ma ate baby Veronica! She’d have to be on her best behavior or maybe she’d be eaten, too. Life just got more complicated.
Whenever Marge noticed her mother gaining more than a few pounds, the first thing she did was run around the house to make certain her mother didn’t eat any of her siblings. To her relief, everyone was always present and accounted for. It sure was a lot of work being the oldest.
For William, forgiveness was slow in arriving, and it was several weeks before he ventured near life’s new disappointment. The day finally arrived when he passed by her bedroom and heard her cooing in her crib. Guess it couldn’t hurt to take a look. I already know I won’t like her, so there’s no danger. He cautiously entered the traitor’s bedroom and much to his surprise, instantly fell in love with the adorable infant extending her tiny arms up for attention. He picked her up and sat down to gently bounce her up and down on his knee.
Without William’s knowledge, his siblings and parents were outside the room watching a miraculous sight appear right before their eyes. With a sigh of relief, everyone quickly dispersed when he carefully set Veronica back in her crib.
William didn’t mention his attitude reversal toward the newest addition and attempted to affect nonchalance when she was near. But she kept cooing with her arms raised toward William. He soon realized resistance was futile.