Page 42 of Better Than Baby
I pushed the cart at Stork Emporium, barking orders via Bluetooth to my team at the office while Aaron tossed in everything from crib sheets and board books to safety latches for kitchen and bathroom cabinets. There were some items we’dhave to order online, but a few hundred dollars later, we were in good shape.
We loaded up Aaron’s SUV and headed home in charged silence, our pinkies laced over the center console as a light snow fell on the windshield.
“We should check in on Lena. We’ve been so distracted today that I didn’t have a chance to call her yet.”
“Go for it.”
He punched in Lena’s number and a moment later, the buzz of a ringing cell permeated the interior of the SUV.
“Hi, Aaron,” she answered.
“Good afternoon, darling. We have a million things to tell you, but first…how are you, and how’s my sweet little angel love bug?”
“Isn’t that what you call Murphy?” I asked as I turned onto our street.
Aaron snickered. “Yes…and the baby too.”
This was where Lena would jump in with a lighthearted comment. When you spent the better part of a year getting to know someone, the barriers lowered enough that you didn’t think twice about sharing candid bits of your life. And vice versa.
Lena was usually extremely easygoing and upbeat, but today, her laughter was weak and off-kilter. I could have sworn I heard a hiss of pain.
“Lena, how are you feeling?” I opened the garage door, waving to our neighbor, Jess and her kids, Billy and Katie.
“I’m okay. I hardly slept last night and…I called the doctor. I was a little worried because the baby wasn’t moving much. I ended up talking to a nurse who said that’s very normal. I guess babies get quiet before they make their grand entrance, but I’m not due till the fourteenth.” Her voice rose in a panicky pitch.
“Shh, it’s okay,” Aaron assured her. “Listen, Matt and I have to unload the trunk and feed Murphy, but we’ll head back to the city afterward.”
“Oh, no. Don’t do that,” she protested. “I’m fine and…”
I was already out of the SUV, schlepping a couple of bags to the garage and tossing them into a pile, then racing to let Murphy out. I secured his leash and brought him to the front of the house to help Aaron with the rest of our loot. Billy and Katie had beat me to it.
“Mom says your baby is probably coming soon,” Billy reported, crouching to pet Murphy. Our neighbors loved Murph. “My aunt’s a baby nurse, and she knows stuff like that.”
I glanced over at Aaron, who was deep in conversation with Jess. “Hey, would you hang on to him for me, please?”
“Yes! Want me to take him for a walk? I can do it, you know.” Billy was practically jumping up and down, the leash dangling as Murphy matched his energy, jump for jump.
“I’ll go with him. I’m more responsible,” Katie announced.
“You are not!”
“Am too.”
“Are not.”
I stepped between the siblings, my gaze fixed on Aaron, who looked white as a ghost. “Hey, I trust you both. Hang tight and let me talk to Aaron and your mom.”
“…could be nothing at all, Aaron. Don’t worry and whatever you do, don’t google her symptoms,” Jess was saying, setting a comforting hand on Aaron’s sleeve.
Aaron fiddled nervously with the button on his long wool coat. “Matty, we have to check on Lena.”
“Go. We’ll watch Murphy for you,” Jess shooed us toward our SUV.
I didn’t hesitate to take her up on the offer. Jess and Todd were the type of neighbors who had a key to the house in the caseof emergency. They’d have access to Murphy’s food if we ran later than dinnertime.
“You’re the best. Thank you.”
Snow was falling in earnest now. I turned up the windshield wipers as I navigated congested roads into Georgetown.