There’s a silence way too lengthy to understand. “Because why?”
Leaning back in her chair, she crosses her arms. I know that move—I do it all the damn time. “I didn’t want you to push.”
“Push.”
“Yeah. If I told you Gus was smart and loaded, you’d push me to do something I’m not ready to do.”
“What? Commit?” I’m pretty sure that’s a done deal. The guy practically lives at her place. It’s not official, but it might as well be.
“Yeah. I’m not ready to commit.”
“You’ve met his mother, I take it.”
“I’ve met his entire family.” She scoffs, and I can’t help picking up something I don’t like.
“They didn’t accept you?” If not, I’m going to have to have a word with my good pal Bea. What is age but a number? At least that’s the case with Robin. She’s what I’d call a young soul. Gus, according to Robin, is an old soul. See? They’re a perfect match.
“No.” She scoffs again. “They love me for Gus.”
Oh. Wow. That’s… “So, what’s the problem?” Because only Robin would find a problem committing to a guy like Gus. A guy who’s obviously into her. And I meaninto-into her.
Robin leans forward and speaks softly. Too softly. “Can we talk about this later?”
I know my friend, and that little move made me realize something is bothering her about Gus or his family. “Sure thing.” I nod. “No problem.”
She sighs. “Good.”
“But wearetalking about it.”
“Just like we’re going to talk about that dickhole, Nate, later too.”
“Yep.”
“Okay, then.”
“Okay, then.” I repeat.
* * *
The minuteI’m back home from the hospital, I change out of my comfy work clothes into my comfy home clothes. On my way to use the bathroom again, I stop at the little baby niche we’ve been working on and smile. “It’s coming along.” I hold up my phone and take a quick picture to send to Robin and Gus. I’ve put up the self-adhesive wallpaper that I ordered from a site online, but they haven’t seen it yet. The room is almost done.
Gus did as Robin promised; he spent an afternoon over here putting together the baby furniture. I was able to find a smallish crib in a natural wood tone along with a matching changing table-slash-dresser that fit perfectly. I’ve hung some small floating shelves above the changing table for baby things, and I found this clever closet rod in the same wood tone as the furniture to hang on the wall for some of the baby’s clothes. The good stuff, anyway. The rest will fit in the dresser, which is filling up more and more every day. Shopping for baby things online is a dangerous endeavor, but it can’t be helped.
I’ve ordered gender-neutral bedding for the crib and a mobile with dancing animals that matches. Those should get here next week. The only thing left is for Gus to stop over to hang the beautiful little light fixture Robin bought for the room. It’s what she envisioned, a miniature chandelier that sparkles when it’s alight. We’re going to put it on a dimmer switch—well Gus is—so that I can turn it down and give the space a soft glow when the baby’s asleep.
Placing my hand on my round belly, I smile down at her. Or him. “The doctor said you’re going to be fine.” I sigh. “We’re going to spend three or four days just lazing around to be sure everything is fine.” That’s what Gus’s mom told me to do. She said everything came back negative, which was positive, I guess. She ordered bed rest for a few days to make sure the spotting stops. I whined a little to Robin about that, but in the end, she doubled down on the doctor’s orders.
“Let’s not push this good luck, yeah?” she said to me while she hugged me goodbye just now. “Just do what Bea said. I’ll stop over tomorrow after I close up and bring you some dinner.”
“But Robin—”
“Gus is going to help me in the shop. Plus, applications have already started coming in for the part-time position. We’ll get someone in there to help out a-sap.”
“So, here we are.” I rub my stomach.
After using the bathroom, I make my way into the kitchen and remember. I’ve got no food. With the knowledge that going to the store is out of the question, I hop online and order a few groceries for delivery. I hate doing it, but I have to.
Clicking away on the site, I choose some fresh vegetables, chicken breast, a loaf of bread, peanut butter, eggs, light margarine, milk, orange juice, bananas and apples, a box of my favorite cereal—then I delete that and choose something less sugary. “See?” I pat my belly. “I’m trying to eat healthy, peanut.”
