Four Kicks

“Hey, bean.” My mom enters the shop, her eyes on me before she scans the room, looking both for customers and for anything out of place.

“Hey, Mom.” My family’s house is on the lot right behind the store, and I live in a makeshift apartment over their garage, so on most days all four of us – my mom, dad, my sister, Bianca, and I – are in and out of the shop. Bianca and I have assigned shifts, which are flexible as needed.

“How are things going?”

“Kind of slow,” I tell her.

She shakes her head and clicks her tongue, looking disappointed but not surprised. “How was Maddy’s baby shower?”

I’m surprised to remember that the baby shower was only yesterday. After my encounter with the two guys last night, everything that took place before that somehow seems like it happened several days ago. “It was good. Maddy looked so happy. You should have come.”

“I know. I’m sorry I missed it. I had a lot of things to get ready for the festival. And, I was hoping the store would be busier and your dad would need my help.” Mom is quiet for a minute as she straightens a shelf of beach-themed glitter globes. “Oh, guess who came in yesterday?” She doesn’t wait for me to make a guess. “Mrs. Byers.”

“Is that right?”

“And guess what she told me? Or maybe you already know?”

I shake my head, my expression blank.

“Oh, wow. Did I actually get clued in to some island gossip before you did? I never thought I’d see the day.”

Mom looks way more excited than seems necessary and I’m suddenly impatient. “All right, all right. What did she tell you?”

She draws out her words for maximum drama. “David… is getting… a divorce.”

There’s a little twinge somewhere under my rib cage. David was my last real boyfriend. My only real boyfriend. It was a long time ago – seven years? – but still, there’s the little tug on my heart.

“Technically he and Rebecca are separated. Mona said they’ve been separated for three months.”

I’m silent, letting this news settle over me. David and I were together for over two years in high school, which seemed like forever back then. He graduated a year before me, and we promised to stay together when he left for college, but that didn’t work out. When he moved back to the island after college, he was engaged to Rebecca.

Mom’s still sharing details. “Mona didn’t want to tell anyone about the separation at first, hoping they’d get back together, but David told her there’s no chance of reconciliation.”

“That’s too bad,” I say, meaning it. I was incredibly hurt when David broke things off with me after a few months of gradual ghosting. I was angry, too. I cycled through a lot of different emotions, but time really does heal.

We were young. Overall, he was a nice guy, and I bear no ill will toward him. I hope he’s okay.

4

A kick

On Tuesday, Bianca relieves me at the store in the afternoon, so I head over to see Maddy at the bakery before she closes. And to see if there are any apple fritters left.

The case is empty except for cookies. Maddy’s assistant Lonnie is cleaning off the coffee station and preparing it for the next day. “I’m sorry, Lace. You have to come in earlier if you want a fritter.”

“Argh – I had to work!”

Maddy comes out of the kitchen, her white apron bulging over her ripe baby belly. “Lucky for you, I happen to have one set aside in the back.”

“For me? You’re the best!” I give my friend a warm side hug, since that’s the easiest way to embrace her these days. “I can’t believe you’re still here working.”

“My feet are tired, but otherwise, I’m full of energy. Mom’s been helping out in the mornings, and she’s ready to take over again as soon as I ask.”

“Maybe when your arms can’t reach the counter,” I tease, giving her big belly a little rub. “Oh, was that a kick?”

Maddy’s face shows relief. “Yes, that was a kick! The baby hasn’t been moving as much as usual today.”

“Maybe she’s been resting.”

“Or he’s been resting,” she says with a laugh.

“I can’t believe you haven’t found out the baby’s gender. I feel like I’d want to know.”

“We’ll know soon.” She leads me into the back and hands me a small plate holding the heavenly goodness.

I’m several bites into the treat before I remember my manners. “Would you like some?”

“Normally, I’d say no, but the baby says yes.” She holds out her hand and I tear off a big chunk from the opposite side of the fritter.

“Whatever the baby wants, the baby gets.” I direct my next comment to Maddy’s midsection. “This is from Auntie Lacy, little one.”

Maddy points to herself in mock indignation. “Hey, Mommy’s the one who baked it!”