“No this is between you and me. Cause she’s too nice for her own good when it comes to the whole lot of you.”
Rochelle huffs. “I’m not going to do anything to hurt my sister or her baby. I can keep them separate.”
“See that you do. Now you coming shopping with us or what, baby sister?”
She blinks.
I wink. I don’t dwell on shit. I speak my mind, and move on.
“Now that I know the two of you aren’t going to kill each other, I have to go pee.” Ruthie’s comment breaks the tension.
***
Ruthie
“Why did we buy porn mags, and expensive scotch?” I ask as we leave the store.
“I have somewhere to take you. I meant to do it earlier, but life’s been pretty insane for us.”
“So true. Do you want to tell me what the shopping spree the other day was about?” I ask. The bedroom that once belonged him had been converted to a nursery with an Expresso colored changing table, glider, and matching crib. We’d picked a monster theme for the crib sheets, baby bumpers, and curtains since we had yet to discover the sex.
“I realized how unprepared we were. I didn’t like it.”
“Are you sure that’s it?” I ask studying him.
“Yeah. Now that we’ve made a dent in the massive to do list before the bean comes, I’m feeling a lot better. You don’t need to worry about me, Ruthie. I’m supposed to be looking after you.’
“We look out for each other,” I reply.
He pats my hand. “When do you want to find out the sex?”
“I was leaving that up to you,” I answer, careful to keep my tone light. The visit had been enlightening. There were things I needed to tell him. Problem was, I didn’t know how to even approach the topic. We’d been moving along swimmingly. Rocking the boat seemed disastrous. I smooth down my black skirt, and look out the window in an attempt to ignore my guilt. I had a few ideas about how to tell him. “I’ll think of a fun way to do it. In front of everyone or just each other?”
“Seeing as how half of them don’t know you’re pregnant that would be hilarious. We should do it. Plan a party and have everyone over.”
“A baby reveal party?”
“If you have to label it,” he says sounding offended.
I giggle. “Yeah, I’ll put it together.”
I notice we’re pulling into a retirement community. “I thought your grandparents were dead.”
“They are. This is someone else who was close to both of us. My grandpa’s best friend, Ray. The one I told you about. He’s sort of taken over where Grandpa left off. I come to see him a couple times a month and keep him stocked up on the essentials.”
“Yes, because these…” I shake the plastic bag with the porn mags and liquor. “…Are the must haves.”
“Damn straight. Closest he’s going to get to a girlfriend.”
“Gross, babe.”
“Honest. Then again, maybe there’s some old babe here who’s caught his eye.”
“Stop. I think you’re making it even worse,” I grumble.
“One day, that’s going to be us. I’m still going to expect to be getting in,” he quips.
“You would,” I say dryly. I lower the visor and smooth down my hair. “You could’ve told me we were coming here.”