Mommy. Maddy’s going to be a mommy. The pangs of longing I felt at her baby shower come racing back.
Lonnie comes into the kitchen, untying her apron. “Everything’s all set out front. Do you need anything back here?”
“No, everything’s good. I’ll be leaving soon, too. Have a good evening, Lonnie.”
“You too. See you later, Lacy.” The older woman gives us smiles and nods and then she’s gone.
“So how was your day?” Maddy asks.
“Uneventful. Is that a nice way to say boring?”
Maddy chuckles as she leans against the counter.
“All the days are boring now. Business at the store is so slow.”
“Really? Even now, during tourist season? Things have been busy here.”
“It’s that new shop on Vista Street.” I tear the remaining chunk of apple fritter, give half to Maddy, and pop the rest in my mouth.
“Oh, right.”
“We knew it would take away some of our customers, at least at first, but the situation is much worse than we thought. I’ve been wondering if I should look for another job.”
“What do your parents say?” Maddy hands me a bottle of water she’s pulled from the refrigerator.
“Thanks. They haven’t said much, but I can tell they’re worried.”
“Is Bianca still working there, too?”
“Yeah.”
“What’s new with her these days?”
I take a drink of water but cut it short to respond. “That’s a good question. She doesn’t say much lately. I don’t hear about her friends, and I definitely don’t hear about anyone she’s dating. She’s very secretive all of a sudden.”
“You think something’s going on?”
“I don’t know. I’ll find out.”
Maddy tidies her work area as we talk, lining containers neatly on the stainless steel counter. “Knowing you, I have no doubt you will. Maybe it’s just a phase.”
“She’s 23, Maddy. Shouldn’t she be done with moody phases?”
Maddy laughs. “You’re right. I still think of her as your little sister.”
“I know. Me too.” I take another gulp of water, wishing I had another apple fritter.
“Speaking of how good you are at finding things out – I’m guessing you’ve heard about David Byers?”
“Yeah. I just heard yesterday, though. Maybe I’m losing my touch.”
“Nah. I only heard today. That was a surprise.”
“Yeah. I wonder what happened.”
“I’m sure you’ll find out from your island gossip network. Wait – what? What’s happening?” Maddy jumps back from where she’s standing – as much as an eight-and-a-half-month-pregnant woman can jump – and looks down at her legs. “Oh my god.” Then she looks up at me with big eyes. “Lacy, my water broke.”
As soon as her words sink in, I find confirmation on the floor beneath her.
“Oh my god. It’s still coming out!” Hunched over awkwardly, Maddy crosses the room to where her purse is hanging, and she tosses her phone to me. “Call the guys, please!”
While she mops at her body with a towel and then heads toward the restroom in the back corner, I tap the first name in her favorites list.
Adam answers immediately. “What’s up, Maddy Muffin?”
Typically, I’d tease him about the sappy nicknames he gives his woman but now is not the time. “Adam, it’s Lacy. Maddy –”
“Lacy, what’s going on? Is Maddy okay?” His voice changes in an instant from playful to deadly serious.
“Maddy’s fine, but her water broke.”
“What? The baby’s not supposed to come for two more weeks.” He sounds panicky at first but quickly regains control. “Okay, where are you?”
“We’re at the bakery. It just happened a moment ago.”
“We’ll be right there.” He ends the connection before I have a chance to respond.
“They’re on their way. Are you okay?” I call out to my friend. Memories of the night she found out she was pregnant rush back. Things got real in an instant when she got the results of her pregnancy test, but this is taking real to a whole new level. She’s about to bring another human into the world.
“I’m fine. I think I’m fine. I just wasn’t expecting this. Not yet, anyway.”
“Do you need anything?”
“Could you grab a few towels from the shelf? It seems like I’m going to need them. I’m like a leaky faucet. This wasn’t how I imagined this would be.”
“But everything feels okay? Are you having contractions?”
“No. I don’t think so. Things feel different, though.”
“Okay, the guys will be here soon.” I set a stack of towels on the counter near the back door and use one to blot the water on the floor. “Should I call your mom?”
“I’ll call her on the way.”
Adam bursts in then, eyes wide, looking slightly out of breath. He’s at Maddy’s side instantly. “Are you okay?”
She puts a hand on his chest. “I’m fine.”
Josh comes in next, echoing Adam’s concerns before he explains that Jake and Matt have gone home to get her overnight bag and will meet them at the hospital.
“Can I come, too?” I ask on impulse.
Maddy rubs her belly and smiles. “I would love to have you there, but I’m afraid we’re already going to have a hard time telling the hospital this baby has four daddies.”