Page 25 of Unexpected Love

She wrings her hands together in front of her. “I’m running across the street to get a coffee. Would you like one?”

“No coffee, but I’ll take an Earl Grey, please.” I grab a five out of my pocket and hand it over to her. “Thanks.”

Hailey takes the money and disappears out the door. Mr. Harmon comes through the doors from the front of the store and sits down next to me. He knows what happened and had sent a lovely bouquet of flowers while I was home recovering. “How’re you doing being back? Do you need anything?”

“I’m good. Glad to be busy. Thank you again for the flowers.”

“You’re welcome, honey. Uh…Hailey knows about your miscarriage. She overheard me talking to your dad. I’m so sorry.” His brow is furrowed and his mouth pinched tight.

That explains the odd behavior. I grab his hands. “It’s okay—I promise. She’s actually been very nice, so maybe you did me a favor.”

“Well, I’m here if you ever need me.” He squeezes my hands before standing up and returning out front.

A few minutes later, Hailey returns and hands me my tea, a little bag, and my change. “In the bag is lemon, sugar, and cream. I wasn’t sure what you liked.”

I give the first genuine smile I think I’ve ever given her, or at least since I first started and before I figured out what a bitch she was. “I like cream and sugar. Thanks again.” After doctoring up my tea, I take a sip.

“My sister lost a baby.” Hailey sits down across from me. “I don’t know exactly what you’re going through, but I know what it’s like watching someone you love while they’re hurting. My sister belongs to this group. It’s other women who’ve suffered miscarriages, too. They just talk about their feelings and how they deal with stuff.” She pulls a card out of her purse and hands it to me. “That’s where they meet and the days and times. My sister said there’s no pressure, but if you need to talk, they’re all great listeners.”

I don’t even know what to say right now except, “Thank you. I’ll seriously consider it.” She gives me a genuine smile before standing up, but I stop her with a hand on her arm. “Does your sister have kids now?”

“She’s got three now. One was before and two were after.” That makes me feel a little better but not much.

“I’ll consider going. Thanks.”

***

I sit in my car, my stomach turning. Why am I scared to go in? I’ve never met a stranger, and it’s always been that way. Now I’m not sure if I can go in or not. I haven’t told my parents, my brother, or Eli that I’m doing this. I didn’t want to get their hopes up if I chickened out and didn’t go.

Taking a deep breath, I climb out and make my way inside. On an easel is a chalkboard, and it says,

Over the Rainbow After Angel Babies.

There are at least ten women sitting in a circle. The one who seems to be the leader spots me and stands up, waving me over.

“Welcome. I’m Elizabeth. How long ago was your loss?”

“T-Two weeks. Hailey sent me.”

Elizabeth smiles at me. “That’s my baby sister. You must be Chloe. She said you might come. Here, come sit by me.”

I do as she says, and my eyes drift around the room. There are women of all ages and races here. They’re all giving me the smile of understanding. My eyes burn, and I rapidly blink back the tears that threaten to spill.

Only a few of the women actually speak today, but that’s because no one tells them to stop. They’re able to speak and work through whatever they need to. The first woman had been just seventeen when she lost her baby. She’d felt guilty for thinking it was a blessing since she was young and single. Now at thirty-five, she’s a mom to three boys, but she still thinks about the baby she lost.

Each story is different but the same, and I’m glad to know that I’m not alone and it’s possible to go on to have healthy, happy babies. Maybe there’s hope for me, too.

After the meeting, everyone leaves but Elizabeth and an African-American woman. “Chloe, this is Reggie. Reggie helped me form this group three years ago.”

I shake her hand. “Nice to meet you, Reggie.”

“You too. Do you have time to have a cup of coffee with us?”

I agree and follow them up to the counter and order myself a vanilla latte. Once I have my beverage in hand, I follow them to a table and sit down. “Tell us about yourself.”

I hate being put on the spot, but I knew this was going to happen when they asked me for coffee. “Well, I’m thirty-one. Single. I’m a jewelry designer at Harmon’s. I also do some designs that I sell on my own. My brother and our best friends are all in a band together. I sing lead vocals and play the piano. My brother is the drummer. Umm…we’re biological brother and sister but were adopted by our dads.” I’ve never and will never hide the fact that I have two dads from anyone.

Reggie leans forward, and I’m worried she’s going to ask me something inappropriate, but instead she surprises me. “Was it hard for you to date as a teenager with two dads and a brother?”

“Oh my gosh, yes. If my dad liked the kid, my pops hated him and vice versa. My brother had the ones he tolerated and the ones he tormented.” They both smile and laugh. They ask to see some of my designs, so I pull up the pictures. Elizabeth coincidentally owns a little boutique by one of the clubs we play at a lot.

“Bring some pieces by and we’ll see if maybe we can’t sell some for you on consignment.”

“Sure, that’d be great. Thanks.” They tell me a little bit about themselves, and then we all head out.

As I drive back toward my place, I feel better than when I left…a little bit.

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