Friday Night Flights

by Susan X Meagher

  “My life,” he said, sighing. “And I’m still thinking about you sleeping until after ten. That really pisses me off. I haven’t slept late for nine years.”

  “I was only kind of dozing when you called. Tara gave me a buzz earlier than she should have, and I talked to her for a long time.”

  “Uh-huh,” Ben said, nodding. “You know, I used to believe you wanted a girlfriend, but you’ve changed my mind.”

  “Oh, please. I want a girlfriend more than you want to sleep late.”

  “Not buying it, Case. It’s obvious you only want access to babies, and you’re too lazy to get a woman pregnant yourself.”

  “Um, I know you’re not intimately familiar with the lesbian reproductive system, but that’s—”

  “I mean you should find a girl, make her fall for you, then find the right sperm donor. Put in some work, you lazy wanker.”

  “Wanker?”

  He laughed. “Julie loves some Netflix show about a bunch of English cops. We call each other wanker all the time now.”

  “Well, I admit I’m lazy, but I’m ready and willing to meet a woman who wants to have a baby. I just haven’t met one, so I’m enjoying what I have.”

  “Which is what?”

  “You know exactly what I’ve got,” she said, tired of going over the details. “I’m secure in Lisbet’s life, so now I don’t technically have to find a woman who wants to give birth. That should make my girlfriend search easier.”

  “When’s the last time you swiped right?”

  “Um…a while,” she admitted. “I haven’t been in the mood, Ben, nor have I had much time. I’ve been playing hockey, bowling, going out with you wankers on Mondays, and softball’s about to start.”

  “And the rest of the time you’re with Lisbet…and her mother. Now you’re going to have two more women you’re tied—”

  “One more,” Casey corrected. “Tara’s having a boy.”

  “Great. So you’re going to have two lesbians who you don’t date, and two babies you’re not related to. You do know that Tara’s going to be calling you every second to help her out, right?”

  “No way! I talk to her maybe two or three times a week.”

  “She’s still pregnant,” Ben said, enunciating each word clearly. “Look at how much help Avery gets from her mom. You’re going to be Tara’s mom, so you’d better clear your schedule.”

  “No…” she said, then stopped abruptly, with her breath catching in her throat. “Oh, fuck. She really doesn’t have anyone else.”

  “And you’ve got time, and interest, and experience. I know you, Casey. You don’t get pulled into something easily, but once you do—you’re all in. So if you don’t want to be spending all of your free time with this woman, you’d better step back and take a look.”

  “Um, you know, maybe I should make this easier and take a look at Tara. As a girlfriend,” she said, letting the image form in her head. “She’s awfully young for me, but I had a very good connection with Jennifer, and she was almost twenty years older than I was…”

  “Seriously? Why haven’t you given me even a hint that you were interested in Tara?”

  “Um, because I’ve kind of been thinking of her as a younger sister. But…” She let herself think of the progression of their interactions, realizing they’d grown more intense since Tara had started calling. “Maybe she’s thinking the same thing.”

  “Has she said anything?”

  “Not specifically. But she’s dropped hints about me going over there to hang out. And she was going to be in Hudson the other day and said she might swing by…”

  “Uh-huh. Get your head out of your butt, Casey. If you’re into this woman for more than the baby she’s carrying, do something about it. But if not, you’d better pull the emergency cord. Having two pretend babies at the same time will wear you out.”

  “One infant and one toddler,” she said, like that made it better. She sucked in a breath. “Thanks for the slap in the face. I’ll figure out what I want and what I think I can have.”

  “Hey,” Ben said, looking at her very soberly. “Don’t act like there are only two women in the Hudson Valley. Pick up your damn phone and look at some profiles. I know you’re a catch, but women can’t find you if you’re holed up in your mom’s garage.”

  “It was my dad’s workshop, but I get your point. Now let’s watch some little boys act like they’re ready to take the field at Yankee Stadium. Look at that little joker,” she said, pointing at a cocky looking kid who wore his hat just like the Yank’s left fielder did. “If that kid’s got a Lamborghini waiting in the parking lot, I wouldn’t be surprised.”

  ***

  Casey didn’t even have time for lunch, since the baseball players took forever to pack up their gear and get in the car. After Ben dropped her off, she drove over to Avery’s and knocked on the front door. When there was no answer, she used her key to enter, calling up, “I let myself in.”

  “Thanks,” Avery yelled back, having to amplify her voice to be heard over the baby’s screaming. “Come on up if you dare.”

  When Casey stepped over the baby gate, she peered into Lisbet’s room to see Avery still in her sweats, with a very unhappy child on the changing table, fighting against being diapered.

  “Can you try to talk some sense into my daughter while I get dressed? She thinks she’s toilet-trained, but I’m sure she’s not. I’d really like her not to pee all over the furniture.”

  “Oh, nothing would soak into the pod,” Casey teased. “You could blot it right up.”

  “Seriously. Will you take over?” Avery asked, looking like she was about to run out of patience. “We’re an hour behind schedule.”

  “Sure. Sure. Go get ready. You don’t mind if I use force, do you?”

  She was teasing, but Avery paused just a second before saying, “Do what you’ve gotta do.”

  As she left the room, Casey reached over and grabbed one of the books on the dresser and fanned the baby with it. “Your face is as red as a beet, Lisbet. And you’re a sweaty little mess. Your mommy’s got work to do, baby girl. Come on now and give her a break.”

  Big blue eyes started to follow the book, with Lisbet’s crying slowing until she sucked in a couple of deep, shaky breaths. Casey dried her eyes with a tissue, then started to put a clean diaper on. But the minute she had it secured, Lisbet scrunched up her eyes and peed up a storm. “You’re just looking for trouble today, aren’t you.”

  “Now what?” Avery asked. She’d put on a nice pair of jeans and a crisply ironed blue striped blouse, and was starting to put her earrings on.

  “The second I got the diaper on, she let loose.”

  Avery put her hand on Lisbet’s forehead, then shook her head. “I think she’s getting another tooth, but she’s not feverish.” She took a look at her phone. “I’d cancel, but I’m supposed to be at Faith’s in a half hour. Since she’s serving tea, I can’t stand her up…”

  “Get going. We’ll be fine.”

  “But I was going to feed her,” Avery sighed. “Her schedule is completely screwed up because I let her sleep so late.” She looked up at Casey and smiled. “She must take after you, since she wants to stay in bed until nine on Saturday. How she knows it’s Saturday is beyond me, but it’s been a trend.”

  “Okay… How about this? We’ll drive you, and you can pump in the car. I’ll feed her a bottle when we get there.”

  “Then what? I need to spend a couple of hours with Faith. We’re making our final cuts today.”

  “We’ll come back and get you. Lisbet always loves to go for a ride, right? And I’d rather have her happy than crying, which she’ll do if you leave when she’s in this mood.”

  “You really don’t mind?” She looked like she truly wanted to accept the offer, but knew she shouldn’t.

  “I really don’t mind. Go put some shoes on and I’ll get her ready.”

  “Ooo. You’re the best.” As she left the room, she added, “Bring her new
dress, okay? Faith’s never met her, and I don’t want Lisbet to look like she lives in a dumpster.”

  Casey looked down at the baby, with her beet and carrot stained T-shirt, red-rimmed eyes and dripping nose. The fact that her wispy hair stuck up like she’d been rubbing a balloon over it didn’t help one bit. “That’s not going to be an easy task, but we’ll try, huh?”

  ***

  Casey was very glad Avery was in the back with the baby, since she didn’t think she’d be able to avert her eyes if she was pumping right next to her. Casey had done her best to remove Avery from her collection of people she fantasized about. While she hadn’t been completely successful, she still didn’t want her permanently knocked out of the image-bank because of suction cups attached to her nipples. There had to have been people who got off on images of women pumping, but she was definitely not one of them.

  The directions to Faith’s house were pretty clear, and they were only a few minutes late when they pulled up in front of a very impressive home. “Jesus,” Casey murmured, taking in the stately, two story home, perfectly situated on the property. “Does she own a bank?”

  “I don’t think so. In fact, I got the impression much of their money came from selling an apartment they owned in the city. A three-bedroom in Manhattan bought this house and paid for a gut renovation. Crazy, huh?”

  “Timing is everything,” Casey said. “And her timing was awesome.”

  “Oh. Oh. She’s coming out,” Avery said. “I don’t want her to see Lisbet looking so rough.”

  “Go play with your friend,” Casey said, finding it utterly adorable that this was the first time she’d ever seen Avery truly flustered. “I’ll let Lisbet snack on her veggies, then give her a bottle. After she pees, I’ll change her, put her new spring dress on, and bring her in when she’s presentable. Go. Go,” she urged, laughing when Avery leapt out of the car without even saying goodbye. “Your mommy’s got a crush on that lady, Lisbet. And after we’re all cleaned up, we’re going to meet her.”

  ***

  Avery resisted the urge to push Faith back into her house. Instead, she tried to appear like a normal human being when she intercepted her on the steps, saying, “Our schedule was a mess today. The baby’s hungry and fussy, so Casey’s going to feed her, then she’ll bring her in so you can meet.”

  “Have them come in now,” Faith said. “I didn’t know I’d have the pleasure of meeting your baby as well as your support team, but now that I have the chance…”

  “She’ll come in,” Avery said. “But it’s better if they stay right where they are until Casey’s fed her. By the time we drag all of the paraphernalia in, Lisbet will be wild from hunger. My Sweet Pea cannot bear to miss a meal.”

  “Oh, but I feel like a terrible host to let a guest sit outside in a truck, Avery.”

  “Please don’t give it another thought. Knowing how Lisbet is feeling today, it might take Casey an hour to feed and change her, and we don’t have that much time to spare. We’ve got twenty submissions to discuss, and I need to send out acceptance letters this week. June will be here before we know it.”

  ***

  It took Avery a little while to get over worrying about Casey fighting with Lisbet in the backseat of the truck, but she was utterly confident of her skills. She just hoped Casey had some earplugs in the glove box in case Lisbet had another meltdown.

  Once she’d cleared her mind, they got rolling, whipping through half of the pile in an hour. Out of the ten stories they’d discussed, they had three they felt were worthy of inclusion, and another one that could make it if the writer was willing to change some key elements. Given they only needed six pieces, total, Avery was feeling great about the process.

  They’d been concentrating so hard they both needed a break, so Faith got up to make tea, with Avery following along down the hallway, idly looking at family photos as she moved along. They’d just reached the kitchen when Avery heard a soft knock at the door. “I think my grouchy baby’s here,” she said. “Want me to get it?”

  “I’ll come with you,” Faith said. “Meeting babies is much more fun than making tea.”

  Faith opened the substantial black door, and Avery found herself grinning at the very attractive people who stood on the landing. Lisbet was wearing not only a curious smile, she had on her new dress, one Freya had brought back from a recent trip to France. The fabric was beautiful, a very tiny print in spring colors, decorated with a white collar. Avery planned on letting Lisbet wear the dress only when she wasn’t going to be anywhere near food, which wasn’t very often these days.

  “Oh, my goodness,” Faith said. “It’s so nice to meet both of you.” She extended her hand. “Faith Pallone,” she said. “I’ve heard so many lovely things about you, Casey. Avery never stops singing your praises.”

  “She does the same for you,” Casey said, looking a little shy. They’d been so rushed that Avery had barely noticed Casey back at the house, but seeing her from a new perspective let her realize she’d gotten dressed up.

  Normally, she stopped by the house right after work, which meant she was almost always dusty and often sweaty. Her clothing usually looked like it had been clean that morning, but by the end of the day it was clear she didn’t sit around an office very often.

  This afternoon, she’d put on some dark jeans, and had rolled the cuffs up to show her cool brown boots, a mix of leather and suede, which were intentionally unlaced, and a hint of the grey wool socks she favored. The jeans and boots made her look like she was ready to go hunting or trapping in the wilderness, which was strangely alluring.

  In keeping with her never wearing what Avery thought was a warm enough coat, her jacket was more of a shirt, a wool, black and white plaid that covered a black turtleneck.

  Casey probably didn’t realize this, but she looked like the lumbersexuals Avery still spotted around Williamsburg. Guys with beards, flannel shirts, and stiff-looking jeans, who carried Mac Airs in their rucksacks rather than axes. But she was certain Casey wasn’t imitating anyone. She’d probably still be dressing like this in ten years, but, knowing her, she’d also rock a sexy swimsuit every once in a while, just because she was in the mood.

  Somehow, she’d gotten Lisbet clean, but the greater accomplishments were that her hair was neatly combed, and she was beaming a smile. As Faith reached out to take the baby in her arms, her grin got even bigger, showing her tiny teeth, which now totaled six.

  “Oh, my god, Avery. Lisbet is a carbon copy of you!”

  “I don’t really see it,” she admitted, “But my mom agrees with you, and she has the proper perspective.”

  “You see the resemblance, don’t you, Casey?” Faith asked.

  Casey shot Avery a glance, then nodded. “It’s clearer every day. But Avery’s mom’s just as pretty, and I think the baby takes after both of them. They all hit the lucky number in the genetics lottery.”

  “Come in, come in,” Faith insisted. “We’re standing out here like it’s the middle of summer.”

  “We just stopped by to say hi,” Casey said. “We thought we’d go for a drive until Avery’s finished.”

  “Why don’t you stay here?” Faith carried Lisbet to the back of the house, speaking to Casey as if she were an old friend. She held her hand out, pointing. “I don’t mean to subvert your plans, but that path leads down to the lake. Kids love it.”

  “Mmm,” Casey stood by the large window, gazing at the path. “Lisbet’s at the age where she doesn’t have the sense not to jump in. I’d be arguing with her the whole time.” She gazed across the back yard, clearly assessing it. “But she’d be very happy playing on your lawn. She’s gotten interested in plants lately.”

  “By all means,” Faith said. “We were just about to have tea. I made some savory scones and a lemon pound cake. Will you join us?”

  Showing a charming grin, Casey said, “We’ll disturb you too much. But I’d love a piece of cake when you’ve finished talking.”

  “We’ll save
you a big slice,” Faith said. “Now will you be warm enough? There’s a chill in the air.”

  “I’m fine, but I’m going to change Lisbet before I let her roll around in the grass. Her party dress was a gift, and we don’t want to get dirt on it before she’s even had her picture taken.”

  “A wise woman,” Faith said.

  “Wise, and thoughtful, and always prepared,” Avery added, hoping her smile conveyed how grateful she was.

  ***

  The kitchen, which was a showplace, had a high counter that ran along two walls of windows that looked out on the yard, as well as the picturesque lake hidden behind tall fir trees. At least Avery hoped it stayed hidden. Casey had been right. The baby was at the perfect age to demand access to things far beyond her capabilities. Avery could just see her trying to walk right into the ice cold water, with Casey having to put up with the crying that would ensue when she was stopped.

  She and Faith sat at the counter, sipping tea while they ate the delicious scones. “I haven’t had a scone this good in months,” Avery said. “I miss them.”

  “They’re not hard to make. Would you like the recipe?”

  “Sure. As long as the first instruction is ‘wait until your child is in high school…’”

  Faith laughed. “Oh, that’s the critical bit, isn’t it? My girls were only eighteen months apart, so I’d hazard a guess that I didn’t have a minute to myself for the first three years of their lives. I guarantee there were no scones being made back then.”

  “I shiver at the thought, but I have what is probably an irrational wish to have a second baby. Not now, of course, but in a year or two. I’d always hoped for two, and I’ve been lulled into the likely misguided belief that two wouldn’t be much harder than one.”

  “That’s…vaguely true,” Faith said, smiling indulgently. “My mother told me to not have more children than I had hands, and that turned out to be good advice. I’m glad I had two, although if I had to do it over again, I’d pick a man who wanted to be more involved with childrearing.”