Total pages in book: 56
Estimated words: 52072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 260(@200wpm)___ 208(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52072 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 260(@200wpm)___ 208(@250wpm)___ 174(@300wpm)
“I figure I’ll be home enough after the babies are born.” She rubs her swollen bump, rolls her eyes, and it’s clear that Lennie is going to need some company during her maternity leave.
“That you will,” Mom says, standing up, giving Dad a slight nod. “Come on, honey, we need to go change the sheets on Shae’s bed, clean her place up, and have it ready for when Coralynn brings our girl home.” My gaze swings from my sister to my mom. Am I having an out-of-body experience? We had a long, drawn-out conversation leading up to my hospital stay, during which Dad stood on business, telling me I’d be coming back home with my parents. I did one better, putting my foot down with an exaggerated stomp, arms crossing over my chest and keeping direct eye contact with him. He’d met his match. I knew it, he knew it, but him admitting it, well, that’s a whole other story.
Once Dad let out a breath of air, closed his eyes, and looked toward the ceiling, I knew I had him. I looked at Mom, explaining that while I love their home, I love my own bed and couch more. She understood more than anyone. Though, I wasn’t sure they’d relent when it came down to the final hour, Dad way more than Mom.
“I’m going to walk them out. I’ll be right back, okay?” Coralynn squeezes my hand.
“Thanks. I’ll see you guys later,” I tell Mom as she places a kiss on my forehead.
“You sure will. Any special requests?” Dad is standing beside Mom, waiting his turn to say his goodbyes, hands in his pockets and a look of concern written on his face; his whole body screams it, from head to toe. Yep, he’s doing this begrudgingly, which means if I move the wrong way or moan about pain, he’s going to swoop in to say I told you so and cart my ass back to their house.
“Soup, maybe chicken noodle or potato?” I ask. It doesn’t matter that we’re kissing spawn of Satan’s asshole, rolling into the hottest month of the year here in Florida. Soup is always a favorite when I’m stuck in bed.
“We’ll stop at the grocery store to get ingredients for both, plus the crispy bread you enjoy,” Dad says, moving in, hand cupping my shoulder, and placing a kiss on top of my head.
“Thank you. We’ll call when we’re on our way. I’m assuming it’ll be a while yet since the doctor hasn’t come in yet this morning.” I tell them it’s the truth, and we hadn’t really spoken about it. My family wanted their eyes on me first and asked how I felt. The girls joining in caused our conversation to pause.
“No worries. We’ll be there when you get home,” Mom reassures me, but I think Dad needs the reassurance as well.
“Sounds good. Love you guys,” I tell them as they move away from my hospital bed and toward the door.
“Love you, honey. Don’t forget to call or text if any news comes through,” Mom replies.
“Love you, sweetheart.” Dad looks from me to Coralynn and says, “You coming?”
Coralynn being Coralynn salutes him and says, “Sir, yes, sir.” I’d say poor Dad, except he knows this is the way his girls are, plus he’s partly at fault; he raised us to be the strong independent women we are.
“Love you, toots,” Coralynn says, giving me a two-finger wave. I’d laugh if I knew it wouldn’t hurt so dang much.
“Love you, sis.” Lennie takes Mom’s vacated chair. You can tell walking and being on her feet is zapping her of any energy. No wonder she’s done working. I don’t know how I’d have done it at a doctor’s office, where you’re juggling multiple tasks at once.
“Don’t tell a single word to your doctor, but I’m glad I get to put my feet up and pee without holding it,” Lennie states, trying to look stern, yet it’s coming off more like a jest.
“It’s not the doctor you should be worried about. It’s your husband,” Lyric says, and from some of the stories the girls have told in the studio, she’s not wrong. They’re protective, they worry, and they love their women with fierceness.
“My lips are zipped on both fronts. What are you two up to today?” I ask, lying back in the bed. I’m sure my hair is a rat’s nest, all tangled and falling haphazardly out of the French braid Coralynn did for me. I didn’t bother looking in the mirror when I relieved myself earlier. The only energy I had was to pee and brush my teeth. Showering definitely didn’t happen and probably won’t until I get home. The scent of hospital clings to my skin, no matter how long you’re here for, couple it with an overnight stay, and I’ll be longing to shower once I walk through my apartment door.