by Denise Wells
He taps his temple. “Locking that knowledge away for another time.”
I smile and he returns the gesture. It feels good. And easy. I like that.
Neil keeps talking. “They serve the Ahi with this creamy ginger sauce on the side that is just amazing. Even though it’s creamy, it’s light.”
“Are you a foodie, Neil?”
“A bit. I do a lot of the cooking at the station, and I try to experiment with the guys, since they are a captive audience. I’m definitely a better eater than chef, though.”
The server comes by then to take our orders. At Neil’s suggestion, I go with the seared Ahi, and he gets the crab cakes. He surprises me by ordering a bottle of a local Pinot Noir to go with our meal.
Neil is easy to talk to and before I know it, we’ve finished dinner, the bottle of wine, dessert, and two cups of coffee. The restaurant is closing, and they politely ask us to leave. We head outside, where the air has cooled, but is still a welcome warm to the chill of the air-conditioned restaurant. He takes my hand in his to walk me to my car.
“I had a good time tonight,” he says.
“I did too,” I tell him. I pull my keys out of my bag and turn to face him when we reach my spot.
“I’d like to do it again.”
“I would too,” I say, shivering slightly as he reaches up to tuck a tendril of hair behind my ear.
I lean in and kiss him softly on the side of his mouth. “That’s for the respect, sir.”
He laughs. “May I return the gesture?”
“Of course.” My breath catches as he lowers his lips to meet mine. The kiss is gentle at first, his lips ghosting across mine. Then he moans and takes it deeper, his tongue searching for entrance and I open to him. He groans and steps in closer, one hand circling around the back of my neck, holding my head in place, with the other around my waist. His body presses against mine, trapping me between him and the side of my car.
I wrap my arms around his neck and mold my front to his, my clutch in one hand, my rose in the other.
He’s a good kisser. A really good kisser. But I’m not ready to take it beyond this tonight. So, I let it last a moment longer before I slowly stop the kiss and rest my forehead against his. His breath is heavy on my face.
“That was quite the kiss,” I tell him.
“I’d like to do it again,” he says, his voice gruff, his lips moving back in toward mine. I place my palm on his chest to stop him.
“Next time?”
Disappointment flashes across his face, but he nods in agreement. I turn to open my car door, settle myself inside, and start the engine.
“You okay to drive?” he asks.
I nod.
“Text me when you get home? That way I know you got there okay.”
I nod again, smiling this time. “Will do.”
He shuts my car door and I drive away. He’s still standing there, watching me, as I turn out of the parking lot and head home.
I text him when I pull into my garage.
ME: Home. Thank you again for a great evening.
Then, I head inside to get ready for bed. As I’m crawling beneath the covers, I get a text back from him.
NEIL: It was my pleasure. Sweet dreams, beautiful girl.
I turn my phone off and set it on the nightstand. I like the nickname beautiful girl. It’s what Sadie and I call each other so it’s kind of weird to have a guy call me that. But it doesn’t make me like it any less.
And when I fall asleep, it’s with a small smile on my face.
12
Brad
I spend a couple hours at the gym after work, then cool down with a run around the beach when I’m through. By the time I’m ready to head home, it’s almost nine o’clock and I’m starving. I order a pizza, take a quick shower, and am settled in front of the television with a cold beer in hand by nine thirty.
The housekeeper came today while I was at work, so everything in my house is dust-free and put away. I have her come once a week, since that’s how long I take to decimate all the good she does when she’s here. Plus, she does my laundry for me and it takes about seven days for me to run out of clean boxer briefs.
The pizza arrives when I’m on my second beer. I inhale over half of it while watching the sports recap channel. My phone buzzes with a new text.
NICHOLSON: Had a great time with the redhead tonight. Thanks for the intro.
Intro? I didn’t introduce them. In fact, I think I’d told Nicholson not to ask her out. Not that I had any right to. Or any reason to. I just don’t like him with her. He’s a whore, and she seems like a nice girl. Or at least too nice for the likes of Nicholson for sure.
I text him the middle finger emoji. He texts me back with the face that’s laughing so hard it’s crying.
I turn off my phone and toss it aside.
Halfway through my third beer, I remember I promised Ethan I’d be at the hospital when Sadie goes into labor, which could be any time, so I turn the phone back on. More texts from Nicholson ring through. The preview on one says something about Tenley’s ass. I ignore them all.
The guy’s a dick.
I wake to the sound of my phone showing a message and bolt up. Habit from so many years at the station and having to wake and be alert at a moment’s notice. I have the day off, so I didn’t set my alarm. It’s early still, but not as early as if I had to work. It’s from Ethan, asking me to call him when I wake up.
I hit the button for speed dial, and he answers on the first ring.
“Hey,” he says. “Thanks for calling. Sorry it’s so early.”
“No problem, man. Everything okay?”
“I’m at the hospital with Sadie—”
“That’s great! Is she in labor?”
“No, no, it’s bad, B. Her blood pressure spiked last night, and they can’t get it down. Her platelets are low, and she’s swollen. They’re thinking pre-eclampsia.”
“How can I help?”
“If I text you a list of stuff, can you go by the house and grab it and bring it to the hospital?”
“Of course, man. I’m on my way.”
“Thanks, brother.”
“See you soon.”
I get a text with the list of things soon after that and head out to Ethan’s. We each have keys to each other’s home, in case of emergency. Because of the early morning hour, there’s no traffic on the road and I make it to Ethan’s in a few minutes.
I let myself in to the eerily quiet home, even though it wouldn’t have been any other way since no one is there. I check the list, and most of the stuff is Sadie’s with just a few things for Ethan. I find the bulk of it easily, but a few of the things I have no clue what they are or where to find them. I call Ethan, but it goes right to voicemail. I send him a text.
Then I keep looking for anything that looks like it might be a Lullaby-Belly or a Belly-Bop. I’m assuming they are pregnancy gadgets, but past that, I have no clue. Nor can I seem to identify what NueSkinner or Bye-Bye-Belly-Marks are. After wasting another ten minutes searching the house with no luck, I call Ethan a second time. Voicemail. And send another text.
I’m tempted to just go with what I have, but what if these four things that I can’t find are important and I let them down by not finding them. In which case, fuck me. I pace the hallway thinking, willing these items to jump in front of me so I can get on my way. Instead, I’m sidetracked by a framed picture of Sadie and Tenley. Both have huge smiles on their faces and the background looks like maybe an amusement park or carnival. It makes me smile despite myself.
Tenley is a good friend to Sadie. And, I bet she’d know where to find these things.
Oh shit, that’s it.
Tenley would know where to find these things.
I pull up her contact in my phone and hit the button to call her. It’s ten minutes after six in the morning, she must be awake by now.
“Hello,” she croaks through the phone.
Or maybe not.
; “I need your help,” I say.
“Okaaay.”
“I’ve got this list of stuff I’m supposed to bring to the hospital, and I don’t know what four of these things are.”
“Okay.”
“Lullaby-Belly, what is that and where would it be?”
“Who is this?”
“Brad.”
“Brad? Mathews?”
“Yes, how many other Brads do you know?”
“I don’t know, maybe none.”
“Tenley, wake the fuck up. I need your help.”
“Not if you’re going to act like that.”
“It’s for Sadie.”
“What’s the matter with Sadie?”
“They didn’t call you?”
“I don’t know, I just woke up. What’s going on?”
“Sadie is in the hospital—”
“Ohmigod! Is it time? Are we having the baby?”
“No, they are fairly sure she’s got pre-eclampsia.”
“Oh, that doesn’t sound good.”
“It’s not.”
“Why didn’t she call me?”
“She’s in the hospital.”
“How do you know all this?”
“Ethan called me. I’ve got a list of things to get from their house—”
“You’re at their house?”
“Yes. Tenley, focus! I don’t know what some of these things are that I’m supposed to get.”
“Do you need me to come over there?”
“No, I just need you to pay attention.”
“Okay, hang on. I haven’t had coffee yet, let me start some. Give me a sec to splash some water on my face. I’m not a good morning person.”
“Less talking, more splashing.”
“Nice to hear you aren’t any more pleasant first thing in the morning.”
“Tenley!”
“Got it, hang on.”
She returns to the phone a minute later sounding infinitely more awake. “Okay. Hit me.”
“What’s a Lullaby-Belly?”
“It’s a band thing for the baby to listen to music. It wraps around her stomach. I think hers is turquoise and it should be lying flat somewhere near the couch or their bed. It will look kind of like a folded dishtowel when it’s just sitting there.”
“Okay, give me a second.” I take another tour around the house and find it on the kitchen table. And she’s right, it does sort of look like a folded dishtowel until closer inspection. “Got it. What about New Mommy-Skin?”
“I think that’s a stretch mark cream. Definitely on her nightstand.”
I head into the bedroom and find it immediately, thoroughly disgusted with myself that I didn’t see it before.
“Got it. You’re amazing Tenley, thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet, we’ve got two more things, right?”
“Yeah. What’s a Belly-Bop?”
“Hmm. Pretty sure that's a pillow that helps her sleep on her side. Try looking under the comforter on their bed, maybe up by their pillows.”
Sure enough, there it is.
“Got it. Last thing: NueSkinner.”
“That should be in the bathroom. It looks like a big vibrator with wheels on the end.”
“What the fuck is it?”
“It’s supposed to help skin keep its elasticity. You use it after the shower.”
“Jesus, what will they come up with next?”
“You wouldn’t believe how many things they have on the market for pregnant women.”
“I can only imagine. Thank you so much for your help. I tried calling and texting Ethan, but he didn’t pick up or respond.”
“Do you think Sadie is okay?”
“If it is pre-eclampsia, it’s treatable, she just has to take certain precautions.”
“Oh good. That makes me feel better. And, hey, thank you for calling me, Brad.”
“Why are you thanking me?”
“I didn’t think I was playing much of a role in Sadie’s pregnancy, but I knew what all of those things were that you couldn’t find. Which tells me I am way more on top of it than I thought. That makes me feel good.”
I smile at that. “I’m glad. Okay, thank you again for your help, I gotta get this stuff over to them.”
“Okay, maybe I’ll see you there.”
“If I do, I’ll buy you a cup of coffee for your help. It sounds like you need all the coffee you can get in the mornings.”
“Ah, yes. No truer words have been spoken, my friend.”
I kind of like she calls me my friend.
“See you later, Tenley.”
“Bye, Brad.”
I gather everything together in two reusable grocery bags and get it loaded in my truck, then head toward the hospital, stopping once to grab a couple coffees and breakfast for Ethan and I. Depending on how long they’ve been at the hospital, he probably hasn’t eaten or even thought about eating. I debate getting something for Sadie but decide she’s probably on a limited diet while they get everything under control. And fast food will definitely be out.
If I get there and she’s hungry, I’ll run out and get her something. It’s kind of nice to be needed by Ethan. He and Sadie have been doing their own thing for a while and it hasn’t affected me since I’ve been in a grief-bubble. But as I emerge and socialize again, I realize just how much everyone’s lives have moved on without me. And if I want to be a part of them again, I will need to step it up.
The hospital parking structure is full despite the early hour, but I find a spot quickly and head in. Ethan is pacing the hallway when I reach their area of the maternity ward.
“B, thank you for coming. And for bringing all of this. I can’t thank you enough.”
“What are you doing out here?” I ask.
“They’re running some tests and asked me to step out. Please tell me one of those coffees is for me?”
I hand him the coffee and the bag with the food in it. “Dude, I don’t care what anyone says. You’re the best.”
I laugh at his pathetic joke. It’s actually a joke we’ve used on each other for years.
“How you holding up?”
“I think okay. I need to call Tenley and Sadie’s parents when it gets a little later in the day. I don’t want them to panic if I call too early, you know?”
“I already told Tenley,” I say, not thinking about how that might sound.
“You did, huh?” Ethan smiles big. “It’s kinda early in the day, isn’t it? Is there something I should know?”
“Fuck no. I called her to ask what the fuck some of that shit on your list was.”
“You called her, huh?” He’s still smiling.
“Get that look off your face. It’s no big deal. I have her number because we’re working together on the recruitment fair. I tried calling you. Twice. And I texted.”
“Oh, sorry. I had my phone off. Trying to save the battery. But now that you’re here, I have a phone charger.”
“There wasn’t a phone charger on the list.”
“Really? Shit.”
“Well, Tenley said she's coming by, maybe she can bring one.”
“Good idea. Will you text her for me?”
I roll my eyes but pull out my phone.
ME: Have you left yet?
TENLEY: Wow, first you wake me up. Now you’re trying to rush my morning?
ME: No. Relax.
TENLEY: I was kidding. You relax.
ME: E needs a phone charger.
TENLEY: You didn’t know what that was either?
ME: I know what the fucking charger is. It wasn’t on the list.
TENLEY: Okay, down tiger, I’ll bring one with me. I just got out of the shower, should be there soon.
TENLEY: Do you guys need breakfast or coffee?
Shit, I knew she was coming, I should have gotten her something too. Maybe I’ll give her mine and I’ll grab a granola bar from the vending machine or something.
ME: I already stopped - I’ve got a brea
kfast sandwich waiting here for you.
TENLEY: Could you give the phone back to Brad Mathews now? That’s who I was talking to.
ME: Funny.
TENLEY: I thought so. Thank you for getting me food, that’s sweet.
ME: No problem.
I head to the vending machine for a granola bar but keep the coffee for myself. I know from experience how bad the coffee here is. I’ll just tell her I dropped hers. It’s the thought that counts anyway.
13
Tenley
I arrive at the hospital about thirty minutes after Brad’s last text. I stopped and got myself a large cup of coffee on the way. Even though Brad got me a breakfast sandwich, I doubt he got the kind of coffee that I like. I’m one of those people who has a million things written on the side of their cup for the barista. Between how my name is invariably butchered, and everything they have to write to get my drink right, it takes up the whole cup. It’s got to be the largest size they have, sugar-free vanilla latte, breve, extra shot of espresso, and a dash of cinnamon. And it’s hella yummy. I’ve tried other flavored syrups for coffee, but they just aren’t as good.
I find the maternity ward and see Brad leaning against a wall, staring at the floor. His left leg is bent with his foot against the wall behind him, arms hanging at his sides with a brown paper bag in one hand, and a cup of coffee in the other. I study him for a moment before he realizes I’m here and am reminded how good-looking he is. Which surprises me each time I admit it to myself. Only because I think I’m slightly attracted to him and it’s difficult to be attracted to someone you don’t like.
He looks up as I approach.
“Hey,” I say. “How’s it going? She okay?”
“She will be.” He nods toward the closed door next to him. “They’ve got her on medication and are monitoring her closely. Ethan is a wreck, but she’s in good spirits. I’m sure it’s okay for you to go in. I was mostly just waiting out here to make sure Ethan didn’t need anything else, but I didn’t want to intrude.”
“Well, if you would be intruding, then I would be too,” I say. “Come with me.” I motion for him to follow, and he does. I knock lightly on the door and open it slowly.
