Page 16 of Darn Knit All

A tentative knock on the dressing room door interrupted my recitation.

“Mai? You okay in there?” Bloom’s co-owner and my boss, Yasmin Prince, tapped on the door again. “Can I come in?”

I sucked in big gulps of air, desperately wishing I could deny her.

“Sure,” I forced myself to answer.

She pushed the door open slightly, spying me sitting on the floor.

“Oh, Mai.”

She hurried in, her pregnant belly preceding her.

“Let me—” She made a move to crouch.

“Stop!” I held out a hand pointing at the chair in the corner of the bridal change room.

“Good idea.” She took the seat with a groan, her expression grudging. “I thought I’d be a beautiful pregnant unicorn, one of those women who glow and waddle but in a cute and attractive kind of way.” She sighed, leaning back with another groan. “Instead, I’m battling stretch marks and back pain, not to mention the pregnancy acne, and I waddle like a disgruntled duck.”

She lied, of course. Pregnant with her first child, Yasmin glowed with the kind of joy that only true love could bring. She bore an uncanny resemblance to a fairy-tale princess with her ebony hair, rich tan skin, and warm mahogany eyes. She radiated peace and calm—it was one of the reasons I’d wanted to work at Bloom Boutique.

That she happened to be an incredible seamstress and generous teacher were icing on an already delicious cake.

“Ducks are cute,” I managed to mutter, grateful she hadn’t asked me how I felt. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to temper my response.

“Sure, the fluffy babies. Not the horrific older ones. You know they’re super violent? Caleb and I watched a documentary on it.” She placed a hand over her stomach. “I don’t think I’ve cried that much since I watchedThe NeverEnding Story. It felt like my childhood was being shattered.”

I forced a smile.

“And don’t tell me it’s pregnancy hormones.” She waggled a finger at me. “I might be seven months and impacted by every other side effect known to woman, but not that one.”

Maeve Oakley, Bloom’s other co-owner, poked her head in, her grin wide on her pixie-like face. “Are we doing an impromptu staff meeting? Should I bring alcohol-free wine?”

“Grape juice.” Yasmin rolled her eyes. “God forbid. I don’t think I can stomach any more of that shit. My mother-in-law thinks it’s a great option at family dinners.”

My racing heart began to slow, the rigidity in my muscles easing as they bickered back and forth, ignoring me. Their familiar banter and the comfort of their presence helped ground me.

“Better?” Yasmin asked when I shifted into a cross-legged position.

“Yeah. Sorry.”

She waved me off. “You wanna talk about it?”

The phone sat in my lap, taunting me.

“I….” My throat closed, panic rising once more.

“Hey!”

I snapped my head up to find Maeve glaring at me.

“I’m”—she stabbed two fingers at herself then at me—“talking to that devil on your shoulder right now. Our Mai is awesome. She’s amazing. She doesn’t have time for doubting herself. Spill your worries before the devil eats away at you.”

“I….” I couldn’t speak life into this moment.

Beyond grateful for these two amazing women, I fought to get a handle on the anxiety beast that rode my back and gnawed in my chest.

Shoving the phone in Maeve’s direction, I closed my eyes, repeating her words.

---