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“Sorry, you could’ve hung up.”
“Yeah, I could’ve.” There was a pause, a heavy silence, a moment where we both wondered why she didn’t hang up. But then she pushed right by it, asking, “So how was the flight? Any weird soccer fans mob you at the airport?”
“No, that’s not a common experience for us.” I chuckled, nodding to Carter before stepping over to a quieter area. “But the flight was fine. How was your day?”
“Ugh, the music teacher handed out recorders today because they’re going to play them for the holiday pageant/show thing.”
“When is that?”
“The last day before break, December 22nd. So until then, they’ll be playing those wretched things all the time.”
“Is that a yearly thing?” I took a seat at one of the far off benches, completely unable to see when my luggage dropped. But I was more at ease now, talking with Leah.
“Unfortunately, yes. It’s apparently a core part of the music curriculum. And despite teaching for five years, I’m still not used to it.”
“I’m not sure how you’d get used to those things. I think there’re a couple of kids in my complex who have played them and it’s … rough.”
“Yeah, I’m not sure anyone can play them and it sound good. The thing might as well be a torture device.” We shared a laugh and when it settled, there was something heavy in my chest. I didn’t know where to take the conversation, but I didn’t want it to end either.
“Um … I’ll have some time before the game tomorrow, are there any Memphis souvenirs that—”
“That Leah?” Sosa asked, saddling up next to me, Fuller right behind him.
“Yes, why?”
“We were thinking about doing a team baby shower,” Fuller said, enthusiasm making him literally buzz. “We can set up a betting pool for the gender and do those weird baby games and all that shit.”
“That does sound fun,” I said hesitantly, not sure how Leah would feel about doing a shower with the team. But I liked the concept of hanging out with the team, bonding over a pivotal life moment and party games.
“Are we talking about a party?” Ricci asked as he joined us. “We have to! And it’s best to do it sooner rather than later. We waited to do my sister’s shower until the month she was due and she looked miserable the whole time.”
“And like, do you really want people buying things based on gender?” Fuller asked.
“I guess not.”
“Right?” Sosa said, leaning into me. “Like, the kid’s gonna grow out of any clothes you get at the shower in, like, a month of life. Save the cute shit for when they’re older.”
“And we can tell everyone to only get practical things, like diapers or safety locks or baby gates,” Ricci added.
“I guess that would be nice.” Though knowing how Leah fought me to pay for her medical bills, I wasn’t sure if she’d enjoy a shower that included so many gifts.
“What’s going on over there?” Leah asked over the phone.
“Oh, a few of the guys wanted to throw a baby shower?”
“A baby shower for us?”
The Showers
Leah
Iwas, admittedly and irrationally, irritated with Niall for saying he didn’t intend to miss any games after the baby was born. He was so "in" in every other regard that I assumed he’d be camped out on my couch for the baby’s first few months. But logically, that was a wild assumption. I mean, why would he wanna hang out at my tiny house when he could take the baby to his nice-ass condo? And even if he wasn’t missing games, he’d still have plenty of time during the week to see the baby and be an equal caretaker. This was a scenario where he really didn’t need to cut his work games.
I just expected him to.
And I really hated that I did and the disappointment I felt realizing I was wrong.
So when I saw him calling, I contemplated letting it go to voicemail. I was just gathering my things to go home from work and was looking forward to taking a nice long shower. I didn’t need the irritated thoughts I got from talking to Niall and the feelings he inspired.
