“Shay, sweetheart, we need to go.”
I looked up from my almost eaten dinner. Mom stood by the door leading to the bedrooms, one hand rubbed her stomach while the other held the wall. I slid off the chair and neared her. She was breathing hard, and my eyes widened in panic. “Must I call Dad?” Even if I did, I knew he wouldn’t make it back in time.
She shook her head, her lips curved in that special smile, just for me. “You’re going to help mommy, right?”
My brain on high alert, I tried to remember everything Dad said. He and I had planned this day for a whole month. But I always hoped he’d be here when it happened. Now, I was the man of the house. I squared my shoulders and puffed out my chest. “Yes.”
“Good boy.” She dragged a hand through my hair. “I called Sarah, she’ll be here in a minute to drive us.”
“I’ll get the bag.” I ticked it off in my head. Just as I moved to go, she winced, and I knew it was another contraction. “Mom.” I grabbed her hand, helping her breathe, like Dad showed me.
Smiling, she blew out one more breath then walked with me to the bedroom. Inside, I grabbed the packed bag Dad had kept in the closet then watched as Mom picked out clothes to wear to the hospital. I stared at her rounded stomach wondering how a baby lived in such a small place.
When I looked up, she wrinkled her nose at me. “Are you excited to meet the baby?”
“Yup.” I nodded. “My brother and I are going to be best friends?” I carried the bag to the door. Dad told me that he and Mom decided they didn’t want to know if it was a boy or a girl. Secretly, I hoped it was a boy. There was so much shit we could do together even if I’d be twelve years older than him.
“And if it’s not?” She pointed to a few things for me to grab.
Shoving them into the bag, I lifted my shoulders. “Girls are dumb.” I rolled my eyes.
Twenty minutes later while Aunt Sarah checked my mom in at the reception desk, her son, Griffin and I sat in hard plastic chairs watching a nurse help Mom into a wheelchair.
“You know your life’s over now, right?” Griffin poked me in the rib.
I looked at him. “Huh?”
“Dude.” He rolled his eyes. “You’re going to have a little puking, shitting, screamer taking all the attention away from you.” He made disgusting gagging sounds. “Just like Grady did.” He was talking about his four-year-old brother.
My eyes flew to Mom’s face, anxiously searching for the truth behind Griffin’s words. She was my mom, and I couldn’t lose her. As if she sensed my panic, she looked up then and gave me one of her special smiles. “Come here.” She held out her arms and I shot out of the chair, carefully slipping into her gentle hug, inhaling her scent of fresh lilacs. When I stood back, she kissed my brow. “No one is taking your place, sweetheart. Okay?” I nodded. She kissed my cheek. “You’re my favorite favorite. I love you, Shay and I’ll call for you as soon as the baby comes.” I nodded. “Don’t run off now.”
My head bobbed up and down as I watched her being wheeled away. She was the best mom ever and if she wanted me to love the baby, I would. Like I said, I’d do anything for her.
Two hours later, I was finishing the burger Dad brought us when he arrived, the nurse who’d wheeled mom away, came to fetch me. Although, we’d missed the New Year’s Eve party, Griffin stayed with me while I waited.
“You coming?” We’d been friends since kindergarten, and we practically did everything together. He nodded, following me.
Slowly, I entered the room, my stomach doing a crazy dance I wasn’t used to. There was no screaming baby like Griffin said. Instead, mom was holding a white blanket-wrapped bundle in her arms. Next to her, Dad stood smiling with Aunt Sarah on the other side.
Mom lifted her head then. Even though she looked tired, she smiled. “Come here, sweetheart.” She patted the bed.
Nervous, I ventured closer until I reached the bed with Griffin behind me. She moved the blanket a little and I stared down at the face of the baby. It looked like one of those porcelain dolls Grandma kept on a wooden shelve in her dining room.
“It’s a girl,” Mom whispered.
I frowned. “She’s so small.”
Dad chuckled, running a hand through my hair. “Babies generally are, Shay.”
“Griffin says she’s supposed to scream and smell bad. Isn’t she?” They all laughed at my stupidity.
“Dude, I didn’t say all babies.” He punched me lightly on the arm. “Maybe girls don’t scream and smell.”
“Griffin’s just being a brat.” Aunt Sarah shook her head, laughing.
“She’s pretty, though.” He leaned over my shoulder. “Might be my next girlfriend.”
I jabbed him in the stomach with my elbow. “Cut it out,” I snapped, unsure why I suddenly felt so protective over this baby I didn’t even know or like for that matter.
