“Do you think?” Becky asked hopefully.
“Do I think? Holy cow, I hope!”
“Well, we can pick a test up after the movie. I’m kind of nervous.”
“Why? You’ll be a great mother. Look at you trying to take care of me.”
“Eh, that’s different. But a baby...” Becky rested her hands across her belly.
“What did Reed say?”
“He hopes I am, but I keep holding off one more day. He wants me to pick up the test.”
“Don’t you want to?”
“Yes and no. If I am, there’s no going back, you know? I don’t know if I’m ready to be a mom.”
“You’re more than ready.” Sam soothed. “Besides, you’re always telling me what to do. You’re a natural.”
“Not like you ever listen,” she quipped.
“I will say that I don’t envy you having to push out a football if you are pregnant.”
“Very tactful,” Becky chided. “And can we not refer to my unborn child as a football?”
“Do you think you are?”
“I don’t know. Some moments I do, but then the next I don’t. There’s a part of me that’s dying to know, but the other piece is terrified.”
“Becks, you’re not alone. We’ll all be there, and Reed adores you. Besides, you were born to be a mother. You’re nurturing. It’s in your nature.”
“You think?”
“I know.” Sam smiled and grabbed a sweater, because Becky was right, she would get a chill later if the air conditioning was set too high at the theater.
Becky laid out the plan for the evening. “Movie, then food, then we pick up the pregnancy test.”
“Call me when you take it tomorrow! I want to know first thing.”
Becky looked at Sam and laughed. “I’ve got to tell Reed first.”
“This marriage thing sucks,” Sam teased. “I’ve been pushed aside like an old piece of cheese.”
The girls headed out. After the movie, a romantic comedy, they headed to the small café down the block.
“What did you think of the movie?” Becky asked.
“It was fun, entertaining, did the job, though it’s not going to win any awards.”
“Yeah, I thought it would be funnier in some spots, but humor is so subjective.”
“True. So how did Reed react when you told him?”
“He was excited, but I think he’s nervous, too. I think he doesn’t want to talk too much about it until we know for sure.”
“I’d have bought a pregnancy test the second I thought I was pregnant!” Sam couldn’t understand how her friend could wait.
“Yeah, I thought I would have too, but something in me froze up. It just feels so much bigger than me. A baby means we’re a family. It’s like an entirely new phase in my life.”
“You want kids, though.”
“Yeah, I do, but it’s so much sooner than I thought it would actually happen. I mean, we were careful to a point, but you know, we’re married, so our idea of caution is different than it used to be.”
After being seated, the girls ordered. The girls talked about every conceivable angle of motherhood.
“How are you doing?” Becky asked. “We’ve been talking babies all day, but you haven’t said much about Chris.”
“What’s to say? I finally find a great guy, a guy that could be ‘the one,’ and he’s leaving. Just my luck, right?” Sam sighed.
“I’m worried about you. You didn’t make one snarky comment about that lady with the micro-mini and thigh-high leather boots coming out of the theater.”
“You noticed her?”
“How could I not? I mean, what, was she eighty-five? She looked like a hooker in for a senior citizen discount.”
“Yeah.”
“See? You aren’t even snapping with witty comebacks.” Becky looked for Sam’s reaction. “Have you told him how you feel?”
“I don’t know how. Besides, I can’t ask him to give up something like that, and it’s not like I’m going to uproot my business that’s taken time to develop. I have a full client list, and it didn’t happen overnight. I can’t imagine starting over.”
“I wish there was some way...what about long distance?”
“I don’t think it’s fair to either of us to be tied down to someone that far away, when we’re not that involved yet. It’s a new enough relationship. Why put that on him when he’s going away with no intention of coming back? My friends and work are here. His life will be there.”
“If I’m pregnant, will you think I’m a wimp if I get an epidural?”
“Are you kidding? I don’t want to feel pain. I’d be all about the epidural.”
“I’m kind of scared. I mean, the pregnancy I can handle, but the thought of pushing out a baby freaks me out. It’s going to hurt like crazy.”
“Becks, women all over the world do it. If they can, so can you. Nature will take over.”
“Yeah, I’m trying not to think about it too much.”
“Besides, if you get an epidural, you’ll cruise right through it.”
“We can hope.”
“I mean, a big needle in the back is no picnic.”
Becky was horrified at the thought. “Sam! Don’t scare me more.”
“Right, sorry. I didn’t mean to. It’s just that I can’t even imagine getting that thing jabbed in my back.”
“Sam!”
“Right.”
After paying the bill, the girls headed to the pharmacy to pick up the pregnancy test.
“Call me as soon as you know. You can even keep me on the phone when you take it.”
Becky made a face. “I’ll call you. I’m not peeing on a stick with you on the phone.”
“I would for you. Sure, I can pee on a chair at a restaurant in public, but in the privacy of your home, you can’t be on the phone?”
“Sweetie, just give me a few minutes with my husband.”
“I’m like stale bread, second day leftovers. Remember when I used to hear things first?” Sam pouted.
“Okay, drama queen.”
“Then you’ll have a baby, and you’ll have no time for me.”
“As if! Do you think I’m not going to need Aunt Sammy to help with damn near everything?”
“Aunt Sammy,” she smiled. “I like it.”
Becky smiled back. “I think I want it to be positive. I’m just nervous.”
“I don’t blame you about the nervous part, pushing out a football and all.” Sam smirked, teasing her buddy.
Chapter 16
“Wow, great news!” Sam was overjoyed for Becky and Reed. They were starting a family, and beyond thrilled.
After talking to Becky, they made plans to get together later in the week for lunch. Sam was running late as it was, and had to hop in the shower. She had appointments lined up back to back. At least it would be a good money day.
She made a mental note to send Becky a card or flowers or maybe chocolate as a way to say congratulations. Ooh, maybe balloons. It was hard to believe she’d be starting a family already. Everybody was ahead of the game, except for her. Well, her and Winnie. And if Winnie had it her way, she’d be marrying Oscar.
They’d end up being two old maids with a house full of cats. She really thought there was something going on with Chris, but that was over. Maybe she should call Brady back. It wasn’t that she missed him, but was more about feeling desperate. It’s not like Chris would be here to keep her warm. She hated this, hated even thinking about somebody else. What she wanted more than anything was for Chris to stay.
She twisted around the idea of jealousy, but knew it was petty and immature. Besides, there was no guarantee he’d react how she hoped. And what favor would she be doing either of them? If he stuck around, he’d resent her for having to give up a promotion and raise, and their relationship would be based on lies. She’d have to let go, as hard as it was. As the days ticked by, the closer they got to his leaving. His apartment would be empt
y by the end of the following week.
Sam thought back on their silly bickering in the elevator. Who knew she’d fall for the guy.
Checking her schedule, she found just enough time to stop for lunch. It would have to be a quick break. She had a Schnauzer to clip, and didn’t want to be late.
The local fast food joint had quieted down now that the lunch rush was over. From twelve to two, fast was hardly an appropriate term, the way this place packed up with people. Heading in, she grabbed a tray full of food and plopped down in one of the plastic booths.
Poking at her fries, she was lost in thought. Her entire demeanor was dampened, and she knew it would take some time. Once he moved out, it might be easier, but he was right next door. He was still here, and any time she saw him, she melted all over again. Christopher did something to her, something deep inside that she hadn’t experienced in a very long time. It was love. And now that she’d found it, she had to let it go.
Finishing her lunch, she brought her tray to the trash can and dumped it. A quick run to the bathroom, and she’d be on her way to her Schnauzer appointment.
The urgency had her whipping her pants down quickly. It was only when she turned to the toilet paper holder that she saw. No toilet paper. Come on! Not now. Though honestly, when is a good time to run out of toilet paper?
There was nobody in the restroom, and nobody in the next stall to help her out. Digging through her purse, she had to have a tissue, right? NOTHING! It’s not like she was going to use an ATM receipt. Drip dry?
Sam reached her hand under the partition, trying to see if she could feel for the toilet paper holder in the other stall. Damn! It was on the other side. Should she slide under? Would she fit? That didn’t look promising. She’d probably get wedged underneath. Maybe quickly pull up her slacks, hop into the other stall, and grab some toilet paper?
No, that wouldn’t do. All logic went out the door. Climbing up onto the toilet seat, she peeked over the top to see exactly where the toilet paper holder was. With a slip of her foot, she almost went into the water, but by clinging to the partition between the stalls, she saved herself from that mess. Only, now she’d lost her footing and she was dangling, one foot barely still on the toilet seat, and one hanging.
If she lost her balance...no, this wouldn’t be good. Just as she was half-hanging over the partition wall, her bare bottom still exposed, somebody came into the bathroom completely oblivious to what she was walking into.
Sam gasped. The woman looked up, screamed, and that’s when Sam slid. Somehow she managed to wedge herself between the partition and the toilet. The flusher jabbed her in the shoulder and flushed the toilet as her head hit the wall.
“Ah! Ouch!” She screamed as she fell. Everything was moving in slow motion. “Help!”
The woman stood on the outside of the stall door. “Are you okay?”
“Don’t come in!” She realized she was sitting with her pants still slung around her knees. She’d never felt like a bigger idiot.
“Are you okay?”
“I don’t know. I hit my head pretty hard.”
“I’m calling 9-1-1. Don’t move, in case you hurt yourself.”
“Like hell I’m not moving. They can’t see me like this.” She started to lift herself, and then squealed. It hurt like hell, and her head grew fuzzy. She somehow managed to be wedged pretty tightly in the space. “I’m staying here,” she whispered.
The woman gave the information. “They’re on the way. I’m going to grab the manager.”
“No, wait. I don’t need more people to know.” But it was too late. She was already out the door.
When the manager came in, she heard his voice. “Are you okay? Help is on the way.”
“You’re out of toilet paper,” she grumbled. “Can you leave now?”
The fact that the manager was a guy didn’t help things.
She heard the sirens, even all the way in there, inside the building, in the restroom, in the stall. The entire neighborhood would have been able to hear them. She wanted to die a quick, painless death in that instant. Why couldn’t it have knocked her out completely? If she was unconscious, at least she wouldn’t be dying of embarrassment.
“She’s in here.” The manager was back.
The ambulance crew consisted of three people. All of them, plus the manager and the original woman were crowded in the restroom now. She silently debated if peeing on a restaurant chair or falling in a stall with your pants down was worse.
A head popped under the door.
“Oh dear,” the woman said. “Are you okay?”
“You tell me,” she shot back sarcastically. At least she still had her bite.
“The door is locked. I’m going to need to open it. I don’t want you to stand up,” she instructed, “especially since you hit your head.”
“Well, I can’t very well stand up and unlock the door now, can I? I seem to be wedged.”
“There’s something blocking the little doo-hickey, so I can’t pry it open from here. I’m going to have to come under the door to unlock it.”
“You’re kidding me, right?”
“This is going to be tricky. There’s not much room in here.”
“I didn’t realize I was going to be having a party, or I would have opted for the bigger stall.”
The woman, an EMT, wiggled under the door and almost made it, almost, until her hips got stuck. “Oh dear.”
“What do you mean, oh dear?” Sam snapped, horrified by the ongoing events.
“I seem to be stuck. Guys, can you pull or push my legs?”
Sam couldn’t believe her ears. “Are you freaking kidding me?”
“I thought I could fit,” she said calmly.
It took two guys pulling on the EMT’s legs until she was freed from beneath the door. They pulled her out, sliding her across the tiled floor.
“I’ll go over the top,” one of the guys commented.
“Oh, no you won’t!” Sam shouted.
“Listen, we need to get you out of there,” he said patiently.
The manager ran and got a drill, and after what seemed way too long, the door was unhinged. Sam sat looking at five people. Nobody said a word. What they found was a woman wedged tightly, crammed between a partition wall and a toilet bowl. If she was a few pounds lighter, maybe she’d be able to wiggle out, but nope, it wasn’t happening.
The EMT helped Sam shift her pants and threw a towel over her for some privacy. Why hadn’t they thought of that earlier? She’d never be able to show her face in this town again.
After putting a neck brace on, the ambulance crew heaved and pulled, finally getting her to pop out from her stuck position.
Sam glared at the manager. “You’re out of freaking toilet paper.”
She wasn’t even sure how to explain what happened, and when she was released from the hospital after being checked for a concussion, all she wanted to do was hide in her apartment for the rest of her life.
The last thing she wanted to deal with was somebody knocking at the door. She still had to call all her clients and explain why she never showed up. Of course, they didn’t need to know the details. A fall and an emergency room visit was plenty of information.
Trudging to the door, she opened it. “Yeah?”
Christopher was standing before her. “Hey.”
“Hey.” She didn’t have the energy.
“I know things have been a little rough lately. I’m leaving next week, and I don’t want it to be any more awkward than it is. Anyway, I heard a funny story, and thought I’d share it with you.”
Sam opened the door wider. “Sure, come on in. I could use something funny. I had a rough day.”
“What happened?”
“It’s not important.”
“Right. So anyway, one of the ladies from the office came back in with the funniest of stories! She said she went out to lunch, and some girl fell in the bathroom and got stuck between...”
Sam’s hand shot u
p.
“No, wait; you’ll love this. We were laughing so hard that we were crying.”
Sam glared at Chris. “Please go.”
“Wait, what? What did I do?” Chris was confused by her reaction.
“I can’t do this right now.”
“Just let me tell you, you look like you could use a good story.”
“Chris! It was me. I was the woman stuck.”
His face froze. “What?” He could barely choke out the word.
“Are you happy now?”
Uncertain of what to say, he coughed, trying to buy himself time. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t want to talk about it. Can you go now?” Sam was rapidly losing her patience.
“I didn’t know.”
“How could you?”
“Right.”
At least he would leave with another glowing remembrance of her. He probably couldn’t get to Atlanta fast enough now.
“I’ve had a rough day, and I don’t really feel like company.”
“I understand.” He turned toward the door. “Before I go, can I tell you something?”
“Sure.” She rolled her eyes. She had about an inch of patience left in her, and not a bit more. Sam bit her cheek to keep her temper in check. She felt like a buffoon, everyone making fun of her, and now even being the butt of jokes at his work. “Just make it quick.”
“I’m going to miss you like crazy.”
“Why?” She walked back to the sofa, and dropped down. “Why? Seriously, tell me why, because I feel like a fool. Sometimes I wonder why all these things happen to me. I’m minding my own business, doing my own thing. I don’t bother other people, and then...” She stopped mid-sentence, wiping her eyes with her sleeve.
“Aw, sweetie, don’t feel that way. Things happen. It’s life.”
“But they always happen to me. I’m a laughing stock. I’m never going to be that graceful girl that everyone loves. I’m always going to be the girl everyone makes fun of. I’m fat, I’m clumsy, and I do things without thinking them through. I always end up making a fool of myself.”
Christopher sat down beside her. Brushing his fingers through her hair, he gently brushed it away from her face. “You’re not a fool to me, and I think you’re beautiful, both inside and out.”
Crazy About Curves: 10 Luscious Reads Page 34
