Patrick texts me that Katrina is due in two weeks and all signs are looking good. A healthy mom, a healthy heartbeat. The baby is a good size, facing down for delivery, and the ultrasound has passed all doctors’ inspections.
I order all the baby things and have them shipped off, knowing there will be no returns this time.
Then I hear that she’s scheduled for an induction a few days later because her blood pressure is iffy and she’s on bed rest and sleeping on her side, but otherwise, all is good.
To my surprise, I get a text from Katrina.
We’ve only before messaged about birthday stuff or whatever for Patrick. We have never had much of a relationship really, although I’ve always loved her for him.
And now I see that she loves me for him too.
Katrina:My family is so great, but they are too much. They don’t even know this is happening.
Katrina:I don’t want a crowd.
Katrina:Patrick needs you.
Katrina:If it’s okay, I might need you.
Katrina:I could use a girl not related to me who won’t freak me out.
I laugh.
Me:I can do that. I’m there!
Of course I go. After an easy flight and a hospital drop-off on the day of, I find an extremely calm Katrina in her hospital room. She’s watching TV and laughing, and I brush past a surprised Patrick who is pacing the hall to snag a seat beside Katrina’s bed. I wink as I slam the door behind me to let him know we need some alone time.
“How are you feeling?”
“Terrible. Beyond scared.” She looks at me for a spell. “I don’t know. But better now that you’re here maybe? Thank you for coming. I know this is weird. My husband did that kiss thing.”
I did not realize he’d told her about that, and my face must show it.
“Oh, I’m not upset about it. It actually sounded creepy.”
I laugh. “It really was.”
She falls against the hospital bed and raises the volume on the TV. “This is my favorite episode.”
Schitt’s Creek. Another thing we both love.
“When the best TV romance of all time starts? Yes. Did you ever sayciaoto your Patrick?” I ask.
She smiles. “I did not. But maybe that’s howyouget a Patrick. Shout outciaowhen you meet him?” Katrina turns to call out and beckon her husband into the room. “Oh, hey. Did you want to say hello to your bestie? I brought her here for you.”
“Yes, please, and thank you, my love!” Patrick finally cannot contain himself and yanks me in for a hug. “The fuck are you doing here? But I’m so happy.”
In the hall later, my friend embraces me, but he’s less smiles than I’d have expected. He’s in fact shaking and visibly scared. “I don’t know how to do this. It’s all trauma from the last time…”
“Get back in that room and pull yourself together,” I command.
And he does.
When Katrina begins to wince, I flag down a nurse, and an OB shows up a minute later and scoots between her legs. “Ah, okay. I’m going to break your water, so you can get an epidural anytime you want.”
Katrina waves a hand and lies back. “I’ve been fine so far. I want to wait as long as possible.”
Fortunately, Patrick is right at her side. The second the doctor inserts some kind of freaky needle thing and punctures whatever baby-holding water sac situation is going on, Katrina crumples.
