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“I got him.” I jolt from the room, leaving Miles to help Coco out to the car.
I’m aware of everyone. Owen talking to Mom, Coco needing to leave, Alice—who doesn’t need to be frightened, by what isn’t frightening news. Still, it all feels urgent and I try to stuff down the panic that’s rising in my body.
“Jude,” I call from the back porch.
He’s tossing Alice a football, something I never thought I’d see in my extremely girly-girl niece’s life—until today. Jude’s eyes slide from Alice to me, the grin on his face fading at whatever he sees on mine.
I swallow and attempt a smile and cool tone. “It’s time.”
He doesn’t ask. He knows.
“Alice,” Jude says, calm and collected for his daughter. “Uncle Levi is going to toss the ball around with you. Coco and I are going to go see the doctor.”
“Now?” she says, peering up at the sky as if it will give her some kind of clue as to why.
“Yep. It might be baby day.” Jude smiles at his girl and gives her a dramatic, non-stressful shrug.
“Baby day?” She dances in place—the dance that she performed for her first touchdown. “Yes! It’s about time. That kid has made me wait a very long time.”
“I know, sweetie. I’ll call you later, okay?” He kisses the top of her head, and like a rocket, shoots through the door.
I spend the next nine hours entertaining my niece and checking in with Jude. Owen and Miles have made multiple trips to the hospital, always calling to give me an update. Alice asked me to stay with her. And I said yes. Inwardly, I actually said—if she doesn’t go to the hospital, then neither do I.
I check my phone. There’s a new text from Jude letting our family group know that she’s dilated to a six, and he’s sent Lucy home to rest for a few hours.
Next, I check my last message to Meredith. There isn’t a notification by her name. But I check anyway. Eight hours ago, I wrote:
Me:Hey, things came out wrong. I’m sorry.
Six hours ago, I wrote:
Me:I hope you had fun today. Before I spoiled everything.
And then, of course, two hours ago:
Me:Are you there? Meredith?
“Did I screw up so badly that I don’t deserve an answer? At all?” And then our conversation flitters through my mind, and I think maybe I did.
My sister might be right. I might like Meredith—a little. But that doesn’t mean I’m right for her. I’ll admit we’re friends, but that’s it.
“Hello?” Mom opens the front door and Max and Princess greet her as if she’s been gone a year. She’s surrounded by tails and tongues and two rows of smiling teeth.
“Hey,” I say, my tone a whisper. “Alice is asleep on your bed.”
“You played her ragged, didn’t you?”
I sigh—pretty tired myself. “We did play pretty hard. How’s Coco?”
Mom grins, but her eyes are sleepy. That’s all I need for my instincts to kick in. “Can I get you some tea? Come sit.”
She waves me off, knowing me better than I know myself. “I’m fine. I’m fine. I just need a little rest before I go back. Heidi’s flying in, hoping to make it in time.”
“What can I get you?”
“Oh, I’m going to crash, right next to my Alice.” She goes to walk past me, back to her room but stops at my side. “Sweetheart, go talk to her.”
“To who? Coco?” We were fighting when all this went down. But I think we’re okay.
