She presses her lips together like she’s trying not to cry, and that’s the worst part. Matty never cries in front of people. Not unless something is really wrong.
“You guys,” she starts, her lips trembling, “I was trying to keep it to myself a little longer.”
“You don’t have to,” Charli says gently. “We’ve got you.”
Matty takes a breath that shudders on the way out. “Caison and I aren’t fighting.” Her voice breaks. “We’re having a baby.”
For a moment, the table goes quiet, the clink of dishes and low hum of the café filling the space.
“Oh my God, Matty!” I cry.
Her tear-filled eyes come to mine.
“I’m gonna be an auntie?”
“How far along?” Charli asks.
Matty glances at her. “Um, about eight weeks.”
“Eight weeks,” I say. “So, you’re due in May?”
Matty nods, bursting into sobs.
“Whoa,” I say, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “Are we not happy about this?”
“We are. It’s just the wedding was supposed to be at the end of April, and I’m going to be as big as a barn.”
Harleigh scoffs. “Who cares?”
“I do. I wanted to wear Momma’s dress,” she whimpers. “And then there’s your graduation, and I won’t be able to travel.”
“First of all,” I say, “you can still wear Momma’s dress. I’m sure Mrs. Bell can let it out or add some material.”
Mrs. Bell owns a shop downtown called Pockets & Pleats. She handles any of our sewing jobs too complicated for Grandma Evelyn and her antique Singer to handle.
“And who cares if you can’t make it to graduation? It’s one day,” Harleigh says.
“One big day,” Matty says. “I want to be there to watch you walk across that stage.”
“Well, duh, that’s the beauty of technology. We can video-call you, and you can watch it in real time. It’ll be like you’re sitting right there,” I tell her.
She sniffles. “It’s not the same. And I don’t won’t to severely alter Momma’s dress. What if one of you wants to wear it someday?”
Charli waves her off. “Don’t worry. If Bryce proposes, I’m gonna have my dream dress handmade. But I’d like to wear her veil.”
I shrug. “Who says I’ll ever get married? And if I do, I’d like to have Momma’s pearls.”
“And I’ll take her wedding band,” Harleigh says. “So, you take that dress and have it altered to fit you just right. And honestly, a baby niece or nephew is the best graduation present I could ever dream of.”
“Are you guys sure?” Matty asks.
“Absolutely,” we say in unison.
Imma Jean appears again with a glass of orange juice. She reaches over to Matty’s untouched glass. “I’ll just switch this out for you, dear.” Her voice cracks with emotion.
“Thank you, Imma Jean.”
“I’m so happy for you, my love. Miriam would be bursting with joy,” she whispers as she cups Matty’s face.
