Page 118 of Rigid

“I’ll do my best.” I turned toward the door. “Open the door?”

He pressed the button. “Give them gals a hug for me, would ya?”

I glanced over my shoulder. “Will do.”

I tossed and turned all night, getting very little sleep at all. It bothered me that Nut thought I was scared.

By the time morning arrived, I decided he was right. Not completely, but partially.

I feared losing everything that I had spent a lifetime unknowingly searching for.

THIRTY-NINE

Sandy

Eddie finished chewing her food and set her hamburger down. “So, what did the doctor say? You went to the doctor today, right?”

“Oh, yeah.” I alternated glances between her and Smokey. “Everything looks good. It’s a kumquat baby. That’s what she said. Bigger than a grape, but not as big as a little bitty lime. It’s got lungs and a brain and everything. It’s just hard to believe. It’s exciting.”

“The baby’s healthy? You’re healthy?” Smokey asked.

“Yep. Good for another four weeks. She said no more stress, though.”

“Hopefully all that’s behind us.”

It had been two weeks since detective Watson stopped by, and not one word had been mentioned about the matter since. The one time I had asked, his response was that it was nothing to worry about.

I had no idea if it was nothing to worry about, or something I simply needed to try and forget. Either way, I wasn’t concerned. I trusted Smokey to keep Eddie and me safe from all the things that threatened to split us apart.

“I’m sure it is,” I said.

“That’s exciting,” Eddie said. “It’s weird to think about, though. A kumquat. That’s crazy.”

I took the last bite of my hamburger. “Mmhhmm.”

“Damn,” Smoky said. “You’re done already?”

“I was starving.”

Eddie slid the platter across the table. “Eat. You’ve got to feed the baby.” She pointed toward the hamburgers. “Maybe it’s twins.”

“Oh, don’t say that,” I said. “I can’t even…”

“That would be awesome,” Smokey said. “Twins?”

“I know, right?” Eddie chimed.

“Wait.” I looked at them both. “Neither of you are carrying them, giving birth to them, or breastfeeding them. Twins would be insane.”

Eddie shot Smokey an excited look. “Insane and freaking awesome.”

I grabbed another burger and shook my head. “No twins.”

“Did you tell her?” Eddie asked.

Smokey shook his head lightly, as if trying to dismiss her question.

“What?”