What's a friend to do

"I tell you, it's so bad," Holly found her shaking her head about the Natalie situation. She had to tell someone about it, even if it were her long lost college friend Char.

Char was busy making over Holly's practical toddler who she affectionately called A.J. now instead of Autumn Juniper.

Holly made milk tea and set out an assortment of boxed cookies from the dollar store.

"If..if only I had introduced you to Joon firs, the story would have been so different," Holly rambled. "It could have been you and Joon instead and Natalie could be home at her grandmother's in Chicago."

"Don't say things like that," Char smiled. "You know, you love her and you are her best friend. She's just going through a hard time right now. She needs time to figure out what's best for her."

Char pulled a strand of hair behind her ear and picked A.J. up as if she might do so as a natural mom. Why couldn't Natalie do that? She was so clumsy and off the charts with her good-natured personality these days.

"I just don't know what to do." Holly shook her head. "I probably said some awful things." She wished she could do more, but she was busy with A.J. Sure, she knew she didn't have a lot with her husband Dustin, but she loved her little home and she loved her family.

"I'll see if I can schedule in some time, maybe take the baby off her hands for awhile," Char set down to the milk tea and bit into a cookie. "I just don't know how she would feel if I took the baby to my place." She said she wasn't used to taking care of an infant. Which would be better? Let Natalie have some free time to go do things she needed to do, or to take the infant and let Natalie rest.

Holly shook her head, once more, not sure if she knew the answer.

"Do they have any relatives, nearby?" Char asked.

"Just Joon's kind of family. His brother is here, but they have a baby, and then his kind of Aunt has a new baby to take care of too." Holly looked at Char a little alarmed and said, "I swear these little ones are multiplying lately. It must be the water. You never know Char, you might be next."

Char only laughed and took another cookie.