“I couldn’t let my girl open her dream bakery without being here to celebrate her. Plus, look at these walls, Molly! You said you wanted me to take some pictures and what better way than on opening day!”
“I love you so much,” I said. “I don’t know how you do it, but you’re always here when I need you.”
“I love you, too, Moll. What’s with the tears, though?”
“Stone came in and didn’t recognize her,” Penelope explained as she was filling the cases with cupcakes.
“What the fuck?!” Meadow asked.
Penelope had to laugh. “My reaction, too. I think I like you.”
“Oh! I’m a horrible friend. Pen, this is my college roommate and best friend, Meadow. Mead, this is my associate, Penelope, who is amazing, and I couldn’t have opened my bakery without her.”
Meadow reached over and gave Pen a huge hug. “Any friend of Molly is a friend of mine.”
Penelope grinned. “I feel the same.”
I had to smile because even though Stone didn’t remember me, it looked like my long-time best friend and new friend were going to get along great.
“How much longer are you open for?” Meadow asked as she looked around the shop. There were a few customers sitting at the tables, but no one else was in line.
“Not too much longer,” I said. “What a day!”
“We did awesome!” Penelope said as she held up the tip jar that was overflowing.
“I’m so glad I brought a bottle of champagne! You have to join us, Penelope!”
“I’ll have to text my sister and see if she doesn’t mind watching my kids a little longer,” Pen said as she reached for her phone.
“Well…” I said and gave out a long sigh.
“Spit it out, Molly,” Meadow said, knowing me way too well.
“I might need to go to the store first,” I said and added, “I’m late.”
“Late for what?” Meadow asked.
“Late. Late.” I said with emphasis.
“Oh! No way!” Meadow yelled and caused a few of the patrons in the bakery to look our way. “I will go buy every type of pregnancy test they have available, and I’ll be back in time for closing.”
Penelope had to shake her head at how loud Meadow had spoken. “Now, the whole town is going to think either their new baker is pregnant or I’m having another kid without a dad.”
“How much time is left?” Penelope asked.
“Three minutes and twelve seconds,” Meadow declared as she looked at her smart watch.
“This is the longest five minutes ever,” Penelope groaned. “Can’t we look now?”
“I think we should wait the full time,” Meadow murmured as she was looking at one of the boxes of the many pregnancy tests that were sitting in front of her, face down on my bathroom sink. “But I’ve never done this before.”
“I’ve done it several times, and from experience, if it’s positive you’ll know right away. With Peyton, I could already see the plus sign as I was lifting the test up after peeing on it. There was no doubt.”
“Molls, are you okay?” Meadow asked as she came over and sat next to me on the lip of the bathtub.
I just shrugged, not sure what to say. “He didn’t even remember me.” I felt one tear fall down my cheek. “How am I going to do this?”
“You don’t even know if it’s positive yet,” Meadow said as she rubbed my back. I shrugged and sighed as I picked up one of the tests. “Hey! It’s not time yet!” Meadow shouted. I turned the test over and saw the very clear, big pink positive sign.