Tuesday, October 13, 1981, appeared to be like any other school day: wake up, get dressed, eat breakfast, and catch the school bus. And essentially that’s what happened.
I went downstairs and Mom, as expected, was making hot cereal for breakfast (very likely oatmeal, which I despise to this day). I did notice a big smile on her face, and we had a quick conversation:
Mom: I’m back!
Me: Back from what?
Overnight, Mom had:
- gone into labor;
- driven to the hospital (with my step-father);
- delivered a baby girl (so quickly that she didn’t make it to the delivery room);
- signed herself out an hour after giving birth;
- and returned home before everyone else work up.
Mom knew to not have me babysit overnight because I sleep soundly and would not awake if my younger siblings needed something, confirmed as I was completely oblivious that a new sister was sleeping in her new crib.
