Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 100661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100661 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 503(@200wpm)___ 403(@250wpm)___ 336(@300wpm)
“No problem. It wasn’t a big deal.”
“It was to me. You know, for a guy who thinks he doesn’t have a very good memory, you’re very good at recalling things I say.”
“Well, maybe that’s the secret. If you say it, I’ll remember it.”
Smiling, I reached into the pickle jar and pulled out a spear. “Nicky wanted a midnight snack.”
He laughed. “Yeah? How is the little papaya?”
“Twenty-two weeks strong and kicking.” I took a bite.
“Is he moving around more?”
“Definitely. He’s feisty.” I took another bite. “You want to say hi?”
“Sure.”
“Okay, I’m putting you down by him.” I lowered the phone toward my belly. “Go ahead.”
“Hey, buddy. I think about you all the time and can’t wait to meet you. Be good for your mom and keep growing big and strong.”
I brought the phone up again. “He definitely heard you. He’s throwing some good punches.”
Joe’s smile lit up my screen and my heart. “How are you feeling?”
“Tired tonight, but I’ve had good energy this month. The second trimester has been great for me.”
“Yeah, my book said that the second trimester is the best for a lot of women.”
I smiled. “You’re reading the book?”
“Yes. This afternoon I read that the baby is like one pound now and he can hear music and sirens and dogs barking. And I read that it’s very important for you to be drinking enough water and getting enough rest.”
“I am,” I said. “I promise. Tonight’s a late night, but I’m going to sleep in tomorrow.”
“The book also said sleeping might be hard.”
“So far, so good,” I said, propping the phone against the coffeemaker so I could put the lid back on the pickle jar and put it away. “I’m still able to get comfortable at night. But I’m sure that will change.”
“It said to make sure you’re not doing anything too strenuous from here on out.”
“I’m not. I still take my walks outside, since we don’t have snow yet, but once that happens, I’ll go to the rec center and use the treadmill.” I picked up my phone and headed out of the kitchen. “My brothers are going to help me take the office furniture out of the spare room and get it painted after the holidays.”
Joe grimaced. “I’m sorry I can’t be there to do it.”
“It’s fine.” I sat down on the couch. “You’ve got games to win so you can get to the playoffs. How was tonight?”
“Okay. We won, but my shoulder was giving me trouble so I was out for the third period.”
“Oh no! It was that bad?”
“Yeah. I think I’m out for the next game too.”
I frowned. “Will you get physical therapy or anything?”
“Yes. I’ll know more after I talk to the orthopod tomorrow.”
“Let me know what you hear.”
“I’m looking forward to a few days off for the holiday. Are you still planning to come down on Christmas Day?”
“Yes!” I placed a hand on my stomach. “You’ll hardly recognize me. I’m much bigger than I was at Thanksgiving.”
He laughed. “It’s only been a couple weeks.”
“I know, but I feel like I really ballooned since then.”
“I can’t wait to see you.”
My entire body tingled, right down to my toes. “I’m excited to see you too.”
In the silence that followed, I wanted to tell him I missed him, but couldn’t bring myself to say the words.
Instead I said, “Well, I should probably go to bed. It was a long day.”
“Get some rest,” he told me. “Good night.”
“Night.”
We hung up, and I went into my bedroom, sat at the foot of my bed, and flopped onto my back.
Love, Joe.
I sighed heavily. Dreamily.
Cleo, who’d followed me, hopped up onto the mattress and meowed.
“What?” I asked, as if she’d accused me of something.
Meow.
“I’m just emotional.”
Meow.
“I don’t really love him. Not like that.”
Meow.
“I’m not allowed to love him like that, Cleo.” I closed my eyes and swallowed hard. “Don’t let me.”
NINETEEN
joe
I flew out of Chicago early on December twenty-fourth.
After takeoff, there was some turbulence due to a cold front, and I thought of Mabel and the day we met. The things she’d confessed as the plane shuddered and rolled. The look on her face when she realized she wasn’t going to die. The surprise of seeing her again the following night. The fun we’d had in my hotel room.
The insane turn my life had taken because of it.
Reaching into my bag beneath the seat in front of me, I took out the book she’d left for me. It was called From Dude to Dad: A Pregnancy Survival Guide, and it was aimed at guys like me who were generally clueless but wanted to be good partners and fathers. Each week of pregnancy had its own chapter. I couldn’t say I’d read every page, but I’d skimmed the beginning and I’d read the last three chapters word for word. It was insane, the things happening inside her.