Page 124 of Nuts

As she ate, I studied a couple across from us. As they ate their meal, the woman frequently checked the status of her baby, who was sleeping in a car seat at the end of the table. Given the child’s size, my guess was that he or she was only a few weeks old.

I found it reassuring that instead of making excuses on why they couldn’t, that the couple found a way to go out to eat with a newborn baby.

“Did you see that little baby over there?”

She smiled. “When we came in. She’s adorable.”

“How do you know it’s a she?”

“She’s wearing pink.”

“Oh. How old you think she is?”

She shrugged. “Maybe a month. Not two or three, that’s for sure.”

“That’s cool that they brought her with them.”

“I thought the same thing.”

I found it reassuring that we often shared the same thoughts and feelings. It seemed infrequent that we disagreed on anything.

“What are your thoughts on kids. I mean, you know, when the time comes?” I asked.

“What about them?”

“It’s something we haven’t talked about. It’s like we’ve avoided the subject. Do you want kids?”

She twisted her mouth to the side, and then began poking at her food.

In the past, the thought of having children brought along with it thoughts of responsibility, restriction, and sacrifice.

When I thought about having children with Joey, the only thoughts that came to mind were joy, love, and commitment.

Beyond her, I watched as the woman carefully lifted the child from the seat, cradled her in her arms, and rocked her back and forth. The baby seemed so delicate. It hadn’t been something I’d thought about much in the past, but as I watched her, it immediately came to mind how reliant a child was on a parent’s care.

“Look.” I motioned toward the mother. “That baby’s tiny.”

Joey turned around, watched for a moment. Upon the mother noticing Joey’s interest, she waved. Joey waved in return.

The woman smiled. “|Do you have any?”

Joey shook her head.

“Not yet,” I said. “But we will.”

Joey spun around. “You want kids?”

“With you?” I asked.

She rolled her eyes. “Yes, with me.”

“I’d love it. It’d give someone for Smokey’s twins to play with.”

Her eyes lit up. “I’d love to have a child.”

“Children,” I said. “Close to each other in age, so they get along.”

“That’d be awesome.”