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Kiersten
Cami and I browse the aisles of a motherhood store, scanning items for my registry and adding a few cute outfits to the cart. Or rather, Cami shops as though she’s the pregnant one and has a fully-paid shopping spree at her fingertips.
“I don’t even know what I’m having yet,” I remind her for what has to be the fifth time as she holds up a brown baby cardigan and a pair of jeans with the butt ruffles.
“I know, but isn’t this just adorable? There’s no harm in buying it just in case. It might be out of stock by the time you find out.”
“I doubt it. My ultrasound is in a month,” I grumble, not willing to agree that it is cute, even though it totally is.
“And I’m not going to risk it. Whatever you don’t use, we’ll find someone else to gift them to.”
“As long as you tell Law it was your idea to spend half your paycheck on this stuff and not mine, I’ll stop complaining.”
I pick up an adorable pair of baby tennis shoes to scan, and she snatches them away from me. “Hey!”
“You don’t need those until they’re at least a year old. Well-fitting socks and booties work just fine, and you spend less time having to retrieve them every time the baby kicks them off.”
I cock my head and pin her with a scowl. “Is this your baby or mine?”
Cami sweeps both my hands up in hers and squeezes them. “Ugh, I’m sorry. It’s been so long since I’ve had my own little one, and I didn’t get to enjoy it because I was too busy trying to make sure we had a roof over our heads. I’m sorry.” She bites the corner of her lip and grimaces. “I’m being too much, aren’t I?”
I blow my choppy bangs off my forehead. “A tiny bit, but I forgive you. Just don’t take something from my hand again, or I might bite it off.”
She sheepishly extends the shoes. I take them from her and return them to the shelf. At her puzzled look, I shrug.
“I mean, you’re not wrong. Just use your words next time. And besides, I suspect your baby expertise will come in handy when I need actual help with an infant.”
She fondles the material of a tiny leopard print vest. “I think a lot of my knowledge is obsolete. I last had a baby fourteen years ago, and they modify their recommendations as often as I get a new cell phone. It’s hard to keep up.”
“As long as you can make a bottle and change a diaper, you’re my girl.”
Cami tosses a pack of blue and yellow onesies in the cart. “You aren’t going to try breastfeeding?”
“Shh,” I hiss. “Don’t say that here. You’re going to accidentally summon a crunchy mom, and I’m going to spend the next three hours being schooled on all the benefits of why breast is best.”
My best friend looks at me as though I’ve grown an extra head.
“I honestly haven’t even thought about it, but now isn’t the time for that discussion. I’ll read the baby book and do my own research. Let’s just let that one lie for now.” I shudder when I think about the last time I read that damn book, and what other discoveries lie ahead for me.
I actually haven’t thought about a lot of things yet. Besides my doctor appointments, early sickness, and the slight swelling of my lower abdomen, the pregnancy doesn’t quite feel real yet. I’m sure once I can feel the baby move, reality will sink in, but right now, it feels like something I’m told is happening to me rather than something I’m experiencing.
I mull over the various nipple sizes on bottles, and which ones seem most human like. My phone bings with a text, saving me from asking my best friend an awkward question. I put my thoughts on hold and dig the device from the back pocket of my jeans.
Nathan: My mom wants to meet us at the Tavern on the Creek in thirty. Can you make it work?
I check the time on my phone. If I ditch Cami and leave here right now, I could make it with a few minutes to spare. He’ll owe me for the ridiculously short notice.
“Something important?” Cami asks as I stare at my phone screen.
I run my fingers through my hair. “Yeah, actually. Nathan wants me to meet his mom for lunch. He still hasn’t told her yet, so I’m guessing that day has arrived.”
“Oh.” She grimaces. “Good luck.”
“Why good luck? I’ve met his mom before. Why are you acting weird?”
She bites her lip and drops a pack of diapers in the cart. “He may have mentioned some apprehension about it.” She quickly turns back around to grab another pack.
“Did he say why the apprehension?”
