Quadruplets Make Six

“You craved eating over the sink?” I asked.

“I wanted them so badly I wasn’t patient enough to put them on a plate. I sliced them and dove right in over the kitchen sink. But we realized why once her teeth started coming in.”

“Why?” I asked. “Is there something wrong?”

“Not really wrong, but she’s got weak teeth. The enamel on her teeth didn’t form properly, which was why my body was craving milk so much. She wasn’t developing properly and my body was craving the necessary calcium in order to try and right was what going wrong.”

“Then what did the oranges do?”

“Vitamin C helps the calcium adhere and stick. The more milk my body required, the more Vitamin C it required.”

“So the things I’m craving are my body’s way of telling me I need more of that nutrient?” I asked.

“Sometimes. What have you been craving?”

“Banana, marshmallow fluff, and mustard sandwiches,” I said.

Joanna stared at me blankly before she stifled her laughter.

“I’ve got nothin’,” she said. “You’re gross.”

“Don’t worry. Graham thinks it’s gross, too. He got it in his head that whatever I was craving, he would eat with me so I wouldn’t feel alone in the weirdness. I tested him and asked me to make that sandwich and he tried it with me, just to keep his word. The issue was, he spat it out and I kept eating. And now, I can’t stop thinking about it.”

“First off, disgusting. You’re still gross. Second of all, you really need to stop testing that man.”

“I’m not testing him. He’s the one who came up with the stupid idea to not eat things I couldn’t eat and to eat all the things I did.”

“Because he cares about you and what’s going on with your body. He doesn’t want you to feel left out of anything. It’s actually really sweet. My husband ate ice cream in front of me while the stuff made me gag. You’re lucky.”

“I know I am.”

“I know that tone of voice. Spit it out. What’s on your mind?” she asked.

“It’s stupid.”

“Nothing is stupid when you’re pregnant. Now spill.”

“It’s just that… Graham wants to put on this baby shower. You know, this massive affair at his home.”

“The gargantuan home you’re always going on about with the library?” she asked.

“Yep. That one. But he wants to invite his family.”

“That’s usually who attends a baby shower, yes.”

“All of his family.”

“What’s the big deal?” she asked.

“I haven’t met his family yet.”

“Ah, so that is a big deal. You’re nervous to meet them?”

“Of course I am! Joanna, I’m a part-time tutor and a part-time law firm secretary. He’s the owner of the biggest technology company in the nation.”

“So? Who the hell cares?”

“They’re going to care. I’m nowhere near his league. His family’s going to expect one thing, then they’re going to get me. They’re going to be disappointed and it’s going to ruin everything.”