“Hi, Savannah.” Max smiled as they approached me. He took off his sunglasses and slid them into the breast pocket of his shirt.
I stood up awkwardly and gave as bright a smile as I could muster. “Hi.”
Madison’s arm was linked with Max’s, her face frozen in a smile.
“Savannah, this is Madison.”
“Hi, Savannah!” she said with cheerful force.
I felt my mind go blank as her perfectly straight, gleaming white teeth distracted me. I blinked. “It’s nice to meet you.” I gestured behind me at my table. “Um … do you want to join me? Or you probably want to get some coffee first, right?”
Madison turned to Max. “Sweetie, why don’t you get us a couple of coffees?”
“Sure, sweetheart. Savannah, can I get you anything?”
I held up my drink. “I’m good, thanks.”
Max got in line to order. The line was even longer than before, as the place filled with more Sunday morning patrons. Madison and I both watched him for a beat, then our eyes came together. “Let’s sit, shall we?” she said and took the seat across from me at the table.
I felt like I was about to give a job interview.This is so weird.
We were both silent for a moment, staring at each other.Is she going to speak first? Or should I? But what do I say?Then suddenly Madison let out a laugh.
“Sorry,” she said, covering her mouth. “It’s just—this is so weird,right?”
I laughed too, some of the tension in my shoulders loosening. “Yeah. Yeah, it is.”
“I can’t imagine what you must have been thinking, coming here today. Like—why does this girl want to meet me?”
I let out another nervous laugh. “To be honest, yeah.”
“Well, please don’t be nervous. I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable. It’s just, this is a crazy situation—for all three of us—and I just wanted to meet you, and tell you that you have nothing to worry about.”
I took a deep breath, feeling myself relax a tiny bit more. Well, so far, so good. She seems nice enough.
“I know this … pregnancy … isn’t something either of you expected or wanted,” she continued.
My cheeks colored. I made a noncommittal murmur.
Madison leaned forward and grabbed my hand, squeezing my fingers. “So … do youwantto be a mother, Savannah? I mean, I can’t imagine how you must be feeling after such a huge surprise.”
I bit my lip, smiling sheepishly. “Yeah, definitely a shock, and I’m nervous, for sure. But yeah, I’m looking forward to being a mother.” I surprised myself as I realized, for the first time, that was actually true. I was looking forward to meeting my child.
For a second, Madison almost looked surprised, like that wasn’t the answer she’d expected. “Really?” she said, tilting her head. “Wow. I mean, that’s so admirable.If I were you—young, carefree—I’d be pretty bummed to leave the single life behind and be tied down to a world of pumping breast milk and changing dirty diapers!”
I nodded with what I hoped was a brave smile. “Yeah, I’m sure it’s going to be difficult. But I think I’m up to the challenge.”
Madison pursed her lips in a polite smile, then leaned forward to grab my hand again. “Well, don’t you worry, Savannah—Max and I are here to help. Everything is going to be just fine. We’re happy to take care of the baby for you.”
My instinct was to smile and thank her, until I realized the way she’d phrased it—take care of the babyforme?
Stop being paranoid. She’s offering to help, so you don’t have to do it all alone! Remember, it could be so much worse!
I opened my mouth to say something, but Max was just arriving with two coffees. “How are we doing, ladies?”
“Oh, we’re just getting to know each other.” Madison smiled sweetly as he handed her one of the drinks. She took a sip, then her face pinched into a frown. “Oh, sweetie, is this skim milk? It doesn’t taste like skim milk.”
“Oh, shoot—I’m sorry, sweetheart.” Max looked chagrined. “Do you want me to get you a new coffee?”
