I laughed and took another sip of water. “It’s a long and complicated story.”
Jenna’s eyebrows rose eagerly. “Oh? Tell me.”
I told her about my short and casual fling with Max, the surprise of the pregnancy, and how we were trying to form a friendly co-parenting relationship for the sake of our child.
Jenna’s eyebrows rose even higher. “Wow. What’s his name? Where’d you meet him?”
“Max. And actually, I met him right here at the bistro. Sitting in this very spot.”
“No kidding. So how did he take it when you told him you were pregnant?”
I continued the story for Jenna, enjoying the way she hung on my every word when I told her about Madison wanting to meet me, and how overwhelming her desire to be helpful was proving to be.
“Ellie says I should bring it up with Max, but I don’t know. What if that drives him away from his child?”
“Wow. That’s tricky,” Jenna said as Ellie delivered our lunch.
“Oh, is Savannah telling you about Madison?” Ellie asked with a smirk.
Jenna nodded. “Yeah, and it sounds like alot.”
“Boundaries,” Ellie sang out as she walked off to help another customer, and I looked back at Jenna. Ellie made it sound so simple, but it sure didn’t feel that way.
“So … what about your situation?” I asked.
“Oh …” Jenna’s expression clouded over, and she looked down at her lap. “To be honest, I’m not really sure.”
“Oh—are things not good with the father?”
“Things have been … strained lately. I’m not sure how interested he is anymore, to tell the truth.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“We hadn’t been dating long either when I found out I was pregnant. I’m not really sure how he feels about the baby anymore these days—or about me.”
It struck me at that moment how much this woman and I were sharing, considering we’d known each other less than two hours.Pregnancy really does bond women, I thought.
I reached over and touched Jenna’s hand. “Well … what I’ve come to realize these last few months is that there are all sorts of crazy ways babies come into this world. Some planned, some not. And there are all kinds of mothers, and all kinds of fathers. Me, I never even knew my father. He left when I was a baby, and it’s been just me and my mom ever since, but—it’s been great. She and I are really close, and we’ve made our own way. So, I figure, if she did it, then I can do it too. I’m with you, though—I’m definitely scared about doing this on my own. But we’ve got to stay strong, right? For our little ones. Because they need us.” I gave her an encouraging smile as I stroked my belly.
She smiled back, but I could still see some doubt and sadness behind her blue eyes. She tucked a lock of her long pale blonde hair behind her ear as she took a sip of her water. “We’ll see. But thank you.”
Jenna and I talked for a little while longer as we finished our lunches. Then, after saying goodbye to Ellie, we headed out and went our separate ways.
It was a gorgeous afternoon, and the delicious lunch had fueled me. The fresh air felt good in my lungs as I walked home. As I turned onto my block, my phone rang—Max. I smiled. “Hey!” I answered.
“Hey, Savannah. I just wanted to call and see how you and our little peanut are doing.” I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Not too bad, actually. I’m not getting sick as often, and I’m feeling less tired. My first trimester is over as of this week.”
“I’m so glad to hear that. And I’m so glad you and Madison seem to be getting along. That …” His voice went husky. “It means a lot to me.”
I bit my lip. Now Ireallydidn’t want to bring up my concerns.
“Yes, she’s been very … um … helpful,” I said.
He laughed. “Do I detect a note of sarcasm there?”
I laughed too. Maybe this was my opening? “Well, to be honest … it has kind of been a lot.”
