Lara

I met a lady today while I was walking the dogs. She lives along my walking route and I've talked to her briefly a number of times so we weren't strangers. I've talked to her husband before too. They seem a friendly couple doing their best to raise their family well. She was walking down the hill in the main street with her younger son in the pusher after walking her older son to school. I was later than usual. Lib had her eight o'clock start day so I stayed back, then waited till the washing was done with the intention of hanging it out in the strong wind. It was sunny this morning, and oddly warm, the strong wind an indicator that a change was close.
We talked about the primary school, she asked me did I have children, how old they were, and did they go to Gembrook Primary. Yes they did, I told her. They were happy times, the primary school seemed so safe and friendly. Her son laughed as Pip's wet nose touched his leg while sniffing.

She was noticably pregnant. I asked her, without considering I may have been be too forward till after I said it, "Are you expecting another?"

"Yes," she said. "Mid July." She added something like being a sucker for punishment which I didn't quite catch. I was thinking already about how happy I'd be to see her after the birth with a new baby in the pusher and I told her so. I immediately felt some excitement about it. I asked her what her name is, because until then I didn't know.

"Lara". I told her that was a great name. She's heard there was a 'Lara' in the movie 'Dr. Zhivago', but has never seen it. She said she'd get the DVD from the library one day.

I feel a bit strange getting excited about babies coming. Maybe there's a grandpa in me wanting to come out.

Blimey!