I love Lena. I love that we’re reunited and that we’re finally meeting up in New York like we wanted to ten years ago. But…. “Can we stop talking about Victor? I just want to enjoy the day in New York with you…and see more pictures of my new godson.”
That does the trick. Lena morphs from a worried therapist into a proud new mom.
“Oh, he is so stinking cute! Just sweet and laid-back. And he’s already sleeping through the night, which is the only reason I’m here and not a complete wreck. I don't want to jinx it, but I think I'm finally going to get a drama-free kid. Keane said that Bono was the same way when he was a baby.”
“Drama-free?” I repeat skeptically. “Isn’t Bono the brother who just found out he also had a secret baby?”
Lena lets out a little groaning laugh. “Yes, It's terrible. But if I'm being honest, I'm a little grateful. It's nice to no longer be the only secret baby mama in the Keane family. Although she's black too, so, like, welcome to the club. Though I'm a little concerned we’re getting a reputation….”
After lunch, Lena and I head over to Fifth Avenue to do a bunch of window shopping at all the high-end stores. Neither of us buys anything. Designer labels are way outside of my current budget, even if I wasn’t too pregnant to fit into them. And Lena’s not sure she’s going to stay not pregnant for long.
“Keane’s trying to convince me to have a fourth, just so my father won’t be able to move in,” she confides with a wry laugh. “He’s also trying to set Dad up with our new nanny—it’s a long crazy story…”
It sure is, but I have way more fun listening to tales of Lena’s crazy home life in Boston than looking at clothes I can’t fit into.
A little sooner than planned, we abandon window shopping, and ironically, hit up a Target to create my baby registry. Lena insists it’s the best in-store place to register, and she has a lot of advice about all I’ll need to keep the baby alive. Like, so much advice.
My head is swimming by the time we hit up a little Italian trattoria in upper Manhattan for an early dinner. But I can do this. I know I can. So instead of thinking of the 1 million things Lena just added to my Adulting To-Do list, I focus on how great and oddly comfortable it feels to be back together with my best friend.
Seriously, other than getting dumped by my realtor, this is the best fall ever.
“Oh, hey, look! There’s Manhattan University Hospital, home of your supposed internship.” Lena points out the tall building with a laugh as we come out of the restaurant.
I peer up at the building, and I'm a little surprised to feel the opposite of wistful. I’ve been bitter for so long about Victor upending my life and sending me down a new road. But now, when I look at the building where I was supposed to take the first steps toward a medical career I never really wanted, all I can do is shudder.
Yes, Victor is a monster for sure. But I have to admit he saved me from a life I didn't genuinely want. And though I complained about my lack of choices, the few I was allowed to make got me to where I am now. Totally fulfilled in a career I love and mostly happy—at least when I’m not trying to get to sleep.
“My car’s almost here, so we should say goodbye,” Lena says, bringing me out of my rumination.
I give her as huge of a hug as I can, considering my belly. “Thanks so much for coming all this way to spend the day with me.”
“Are you kidding me? I was ten years without my best friend. I am more than happy to meet you anywhere you want, whenever you want,” Lena answers with a happy laugh. “Plus, I don't know if you heard about this, but I'm the mother of three now. This is the first time I've been able to leave the house since the baby was born.”
“Well, thanks for making me your inaugural trip,” I tell her, laughing.
“Can I give you a ride back to your hotel?” she asks.
“Nanh, it’s in the opposite direction of the airport, and the subway’s right up the block.”
“Okay, get home safe, and we should do this again,” Lena says just as a sleek black limo pulls up. “But next time, I'll fly out to Pittsburgh. And we’ve definitely got to start planning this baby shower.”
“Yes, yes,” I assure her. “That’s totally on the to-do list. Right under finding a new realtor and finally buying a house.”
Lena laughs again before getting in her car.