“It’s no wonder you had heartburn,” I continue. I read that in a book somewhere. I think Tera thinks it’s bullshit, but I think it’s all true.
“Hold the phone!” Dad yells.
I sit up, and so does Tera.
“What’s going on?” I ask.
“Is that a foot?” Sandy asks, and my skin grows cold. I begin to sweat.
“What?” I squeak.
“Damn, would you look at that,” Dad announces.
“What are we looking at!” I yell. “Answer me, old man!”
He looks up at me, the baby crying in the background while the nurse swaddles her, his eyes crinkled in laughter.
“Just kidding!” he tells me with a laugh.
“You are in so much trouble, old man,” I begin, then notice Tera’s shoulders shaking with laughter. “You!” I accuse. “You were in on this?!”
She laughs even harder, then groans when Dad does something down there.
“I think I peed my pants a little,” I confess.
“Life with you is never going to be boring,” Tera tells me through her giggles.
“You know it. I’m full of all kinds of fun, and everyone knows life is more fun with a little Xananigans.”
“If only you wouldn’t panic and turn into a statue, it’d be all good,” she chides.
“I said I was sorry, and I am. You just… it just…” I sigh.
Dad chuckles. “Such a wimp.”
I nod. “I can admit it. I freaked the fuck out.”
“No F bombs. You’re gonna have to stop that,” Tera reminds me.
“Shit,” I say, then wince.
She lifts a brow.
“Well, hell…”
Dad laughs.
“I’ll work on it,” I tell Tera.
“Have you decided on a name?” Sandy asks.
I look to Tera and she nods.
“We have,” Tera tells her. “Josie Rose Mackenzie.”
“Perfect,” Dad says. “What a way to honor them.”
Mr. and Mrs. Martinez—Jose and Rosa. We wanted to let them know how special they are to us, so we named our baby girl, Josie Rose.
