“That’s … so nice of you, Madison. I’ve been meaning to get a copy of this.”
“Of course. It’s my pleasure! And I went ahead and highlighted a few things for you that I thought would be helpful.”
I noticed some brightly colored page markers sticking out between some of the pages. “I’ll definitely check them out.” I shoved some mail aside and set it down on the kitchen table. With a deep breath, I smiled at Madison. She was obviously trying … but this was a lot. And I was really ready for a shower and some solitude. “Well, it was very sweet of you to stop by and bring me all these things. I’ll … see you around?” I held out my arm to try and guide her toward the door, but she didn’t move.
“So, when is the next appointment?” she asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Our next obstetrician appointment. Isn’t it usually at twelve weeks?”
Did she just sayouragain?“Um … yes, I haven’t scheduled it yet, though. I was planning to send my doctor an email checking in this weekend.” Alarm bells were ringing in the back of my mind.Does she think she’s coming to my checkups? I haven’t even invited Max!
“Oh, that will be exciting! Definitely let us know, okay?”
“Sure, Madison.”Um, we’ll see about that.
She started looking around the apartment. “Well, since I’m here, why don’t you take a shower while I put these things away, and I’ll make you a nice mug of the pregnancy tea.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary, Madison. But thank you for—”
“Nonsense.” She put her hands on my shoulders, turned me around, and gave me a gentle push toward the bathroom. “You’ve been working so hard lately, and you haven’t been taking proper care of yourself. Let me help.”
“No, I really just—”
“No arguments.” She walked me all the way to the bathroom door and practically shoved me in. “Take your time.”
I didn’t have the energy in me to argue. I shut the door with a sigh.
The hot shower felt heavenly. I took my time, relishing the feeling of the soothing hot water on my skin.Maybe if I stay in here long enough, she’ll leave.
Twenty minutes later I emerged from the steamy bathroom with just a towel wrapped around me. The apartment was silent. Was Madison still here? I tiptoed down the hall and peeked around the corner. Nope, no sign of her—but wow, my apartment was transformed.
The kitchen was spotless. She had taken out my trash, emptied and then loaded my dishwasher, and cleaned off the table. All that remained on it was a mug of tea, still piping hot, and a note.
I hope you feel refreshed after your shower. Enjoy your tea—hope it helps with the nausea. Please call soon and let us know when the next doctor’s appointment is. xoxo, Madison
I picked up the mug and took a gentle sip. I rolled my eyes at how delicious the tea was.So that’s what seventy-five bucks tastes like.A few more sips, and my stomach actually did feel calmer.
As I padded back toward the bedroom to get dressed, I noticed Madison had placed the etched clay vase of flowers on the mantle of my ancient fireplace. They definitely cheered up my now-spotless home. In my bedroom, I noticed she’d moved all the dirty clothes that had been strewn around the apartment into my laundry hamper—and my bed was made.
It felt a little weird knowing Madison had had her hands and eyes all over my home, in my private things, especially after the way my ultrasound printout had disappeared a couple of weeks before. I’d torn apart my kitchen, searched the pockets of every coat and purse I owned, and knelt to peer underneath the fridge in case it had slipped out from under the magnet. I even dug through my trash in case I’d somehow accidentally tossed it, but it never turned up.
I sat on my bed and sipped the luxurious tea.
Yes, Madison showing up out of the blue had been weird. But, even if she was a little overbearing, shouldn’t I be glad that Max’s girlfriend was being nice and helpful, instead of mean and jealous?
Remember, I admonished myself.It could be so much worse.
The shrill beeping of my alarm jarred me out of the vivid dream I’d been having. My eyes popped open as my heart thundered in my chest.
God, it had been stressful—I was dressed likeLittle Orphan Annie, driving a tiny clown car full of screaming babies. When we reached our destination, the babies burst out of the car and ran in different directions, leaving me scrambling after. I desperately tried to scoop all the babies back up, but every time Icaught one, another wriggled out of my arms. It was hard to run too, because my giant pregnant belly kept bouncing up and down, making me nauseous. Then Madison appeared in the distance, running toward me with a maniacal smile, shouting, “Don’t worry, Savannah! I’m here to help!”
My hand flew to my mouth as I realized the nausea wasn’t only in my dream. I barely made it to the bathroom before a tsunami of half-digested Thai takeout from the night before came back up. When my stomach was finally done emptying itself, I made my way into the kitchen, feeling so weak I could barely stand.
Then I remembered the book Madison had given me. Surely the be-all, end-all of pregnancy bibles would have suggestions on calming morning sickness?
I brewed a mug of Madison’s extravagant pregnancy tea. As I settled onto the couch with the book, I noted again the colorful little strips sticking out between the pages, where Madison had said she’d highlighted some things for me to read.
