“Congratulations.” My mother hasn’t connected the dots yet. However, the silence and Gracie’s visibly rapid chest begin to cloud the table.
I feel my face tighten, and my jaw flexes side to side in my best attempt to gather composure for what is about to come.
My mom notices, and her smile wilts as she tries to dissect what’s happening.
Ah, hell.
She swings her gaze to me and then back to Gracie and returns to me. “Oh.” It comes out mundanely. It takes a few moments before her entire appearance changes with her eyes turning into saucers. “Ohhhh.”
My mom totally gets it now.
“We’re pregnant,” I clarify.
My father looks between us all and lifts a shoulder. “Okay.”
My mom brings her hand up to cover her mouth, but her smile is too wide to cover. “You’re pregnant.”
“Shh,” I hiss and scan the room.
Gracie appears panicked as she searches my face for an answer to her plea of what to do.
“Her family has no clue,” I whisper.
My parents nod gingerly in understanding.
“I’m sorry, it just came out,” Gracie apologizes to me in a hushed tone.
“Surprising. But great news,” my father whispers. He is too casual for this earth-shattering moment, but that’s just him, unless it’s a business deal that he needs to be cold-blooded for.
“I didn’t realize that you two were dating,” my mom leans into the table to ask quietly.
Gracie and I both look at one another and shrug. “It’s not exactly…”
My mom raises her hand in the air to stop us. “Say no more. I got it,” she whispers. “When is the baby due?” she mouths.
“July. It’s still early in the pregnancy,” Gracie loudly whispers.
“We get it. Lips are sealed,” my father assures her in a loud mutter.
My mom reaches out to touch Gracie’s arm on the table. “But this is a Hanukkah and Christmas gift rolled into one. On the first night, too. You know, isn’t it great how Hanukkah falls with Christmas week this year. July is a good month. She’ll be the right size for cute baby holiday clothes next year. Just squeeze her little cheeks,” she coos in a loud whisper that I’m sure the table next to us could hear.
I shuffle my chair closer to the table. “Here comes the crazy. Only two minutes in and you’re planning out our kid’s future. And we don’t know if it’s a girl.” My hushed voice is sharp with frustration.
My mom is not impressed with my comment. “Excuse me for being excited for the fact that I’m going to be a grandmother, and I still look smoking, so I won’t be one of those old-looking grandmas.” She’s returning to her shouting mutter.
Gracie runs her fingers through her hair and claws her sides. “We look like idiots talking like this. I see my brother puzzled over in the corner as he observes,” she utters to me.
Sliding my gaze over my shoulder, I see her brother talking to a waiter, but his eyes remain fixed on our table.
Whipping my sight back, I feel my eyes enlarge. “Can we keep this news at our table? I didn’t plan on anyone from Gracie’s family murdering me today,” I say tightly.
My dad has a serious face when all of his attention lands on me. “Don’t be silly. They need you alive. For the baby and all.” He has an undertone of humor. What the hell is this conversation?
“If you will excuse me, I think I need to leave. I’m sure Asher can finish this discussion,” Gracie says in a low voice and gives me a weak smile.
I touch her hand as she stands. “They will keep this all under wraps, don’t worry,” I promise.
She nods like she believes me before she looks at my parents. “I’m sure we will get to know one another a lot more now.”
