“Yes.”
She didn’t elaborate, but I couldn’t blame her. The quiet over the phone continued. In the past, we could sit in silence and it was nice. But now, I felt like I needed to say something.
“I told my mom about the baby,” I said.
“Is she happy?”
“Yes. She…she wants to meet you.”
Petal didn’t answer for a moment. “I have an assistant now. I’m not sure she’s ready to manage the shop, but…if you wanted…I could come if there was a quick turnaround.”
I ran my hand over my face. I wasn’t sure I could see Petal again right now. Not when my emotions were so raw. But I also wanted to make my mom happy.
“I can pay for the ticket. Is it safe for you to fly?”
“I’ll check with the doctor to be sure, but he didn’t say anything about what I can’t do. A Saturday night to Sunday would be best since I’m closed on Sunday. It should be soon because Christmas is coming.”
“I’ll take care of it and send you the ticket.”
“I’m not broke, Cy.”
I closed my eyes. “Let me do this, Petal. Please.”
“Okay.” Her voice was so soft I wondered if she was half asleep. Then she sniffed and I wondered if she was crying.
“Do you need anything?” I asked not because I didn’t think she couldn’t care for herself, but because I felt helpless in taking care of my child.
“No.”
Again, there was a long silence.
“Is it a boy or a girl? Do you know?” I asked.
“I don’t know. I didn’t ask. I’m not sure it’s discernible at this point.”
I wondered what she’d think of the name Jane if it was a girl. My mom would get a kick out of that. I figured now wasn’t the time to ask.
“I’m sorry Cy. I’m so tired.”
“Of course. Get some rest. I’ll forward you the ticket.”
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” I hung up imagining her in her little apartment climbing under her covers. Her parents were in Florida. Jude and April, while close, had their own lives. I had my mother and even Lora. Petal was alone. There was something wrong about that.
“Cy?”
I stood and went to my mother’s room. “Yes? You fell asleep during St. John’s proposal, as does everyone.”
She laughed. “Is everything okay with Petal?”
I sat on the edge of the bed and pulled up the text Petal sent, then showed it to my mom.
“Oh Cy…” My mom’s eyes welled with tears. “It’s your baby. My grandbaby. Oh, it’s so beautiful.”
I sat next to her on the bed and stared at the black and gray blob. “I’ll take your word for it.”
“Oh Cy.” She gave me a playful slap on the arm.