Page 75 of Belonging to Them

I make a mental note to look up how best to support someone during childbirth.Given the size of Gianna’s pregnant belly, we’re probably out of time for attending any birthing classes together.I’ll be surprised if the baby lasts one more week in there.

We get to the medical clinic with just two minutes to spare.

“Thank you again,” Gianna whispers.

I park myself in the waiting room, and her eyebrows go up.

“You don’t have to stay,” she says, “I can take the bus home.”

I make a show of getting comfy and selecting a magazine from one of the little tables.“I like it here, and the Ironwood car has better air conditioning than the bus.”

“I’d lean over to hug you if I didn’t think a baby would fall out of my vagina,” she says.

A woman in the waiting room gives us a disapproving look.I cackle, and Terrence snorts back a laugh from his station near the door.

Gianna is ushered back for her appointment.I read an article about classic cars until Gianna comes back out again.

“Everything’s going great,” she says with a tired smile.“The doctor said any day now.She said that last time, too, though.”

“Excellent.Let’s get you home so you can put your feet up.”

She tilts forward far enough so she can see her toes.“Yeah, they’re starting to look like swollen hobbit feet.”

The stairs at her apartment complex nearly do her in, but she gets up them like a champion.We come to her and Tommy’s door, where the potted geranium flowers are still bright and cheery, just like the last time I was here.I see them now for what they are—Gianna’s influence on domesticating my brother.Gianna opens the door, but Terrence stops us before either of us can go inside.He nods at Roman, who goes in first.

“I don’t know that I could ever get used to this,” Gianna says, gesturing between me and Terrence.

“It took a while,” I say, “but now we’re practically BFFs, right, Terrence?”

He’s trying not to smile as he says, “I don’t know what a BFF is.”

Roman calls out that the place is clear, so Terrence motions that we can go in.

“Feet up,” I say, escorting Gianna to the sofa.“You must be exhausted.”

“Those stairs are a bitch,” she says with a laugh.

“Can I get you something to eat or drink?”I ask.

“Yeah, there’s some generic fruity mineral water in the refrigerator.I’d love one of those.Help yourself, too.”

As I move toward the kitchen area, I notice a baby swing set up in the corner of the room, as well as some other new touches, most of them gifts from the baby shower.

Seeing me looking at them, Gianna grins.“It’s a shame Tom couldn’t get his hands on that inheritance, but thanks to you and your friends, this baby is still going to be set up for success.”

I pause in front of the refrigerator.“Inheritance?”

“Yeah, the safe deposit box that your dad left for you two?”

It’s the first I’ve heard of any such thing.I pour mineral water for both of us and go back into the living room.I had Gianna hers and sit down in the easy chair next to the sofa.

“Gianna,” I say, “I don’t know why Tommy told you there was a safe deposit box, but there isn’t one.”

“Oh, shit,” she says.“I thought you knew.I thought both of you were working together to get it figured out…and when you couldn’t, that’s what caused you two to fight?But there definitely is a box.”

I shake my head.“You know about Tommy’s gambling issues, right?”

“Yes.”She sighs.“He’s been promising to get better, and I guarantee, he hadn’t been gambling before he disappeared.But I think he must still owe a lot of money.”