Page 130 of Babies at Coconuts

Chapter 90

“Hope isn’t the only one with crazy news.” Suzy slid her tea cup aside and leaned forward.

“What?” all three asked in unison.

Suzy glanced over her shoulder and toward the empty tables on either side of them.

Frowning, Alex said, “Don’t keep us in suspense, Suzy Q. Is it about Izzy? What has she done this time?”

Suzy again peered from side to side.

“What the hell? Did you just rob a store?” Alex asked.

Suzy raised her eyebrows. “That might be easier to explain.”

“Oh?” Hope scooted her bar stool forward. “You’ve got my attention. I’m more than ready to hear about someone else’s drama.”

“You’ve got my attention too. Spill,” Alex said.

“Mine three.” Cheri stared at Suzy who absentmindedly wrung her hands together. “You aren’t going to believe this. You really aren’t.” She searched her friends’ faces.

“We can’t believe anything until you tell us.” Alex tied her paper straw wrapper into a knot. Even though this was an almost daily ritual, anxiety worsened her OCD. “You’re making me nervous, Suzy. After all we’ve been through over the years, I don’t think you can surprise us.”

“Oh, I think I can.” Suzy twisted her ponytail with her index finger.

Hope reached for Suzy’s hand. “You can tell us anything. What haven’t we encountered together?”

“This.” Suzy’s eyes reddened. “We haven’t encountered this.”

Clearly alarmed, a worry line deepened between Alex’s brows. Reaching over, she put her hand atop Hope’s and Suzy’s. “Now you’re scaring me. Tell us.”

Suzy rubbed her still-flat belly. “I’m pregnant.” Deciding to blurt out the big announcement before she lost her nerve, she braced herself for her friends’ likely astonished reactions. “There. I said it.”

“Holy shit. Holy hell. You didn’t want to open with that?” Alex’s mouth fell wide open. “Even though I joked about it when you weren’t feeling well, I honestly didn’t expect thatnewsflash.” She jumped up and hugged her friend so hard she almost toppled Suzy off her bar stool.

Hope joined in the group hug. “Suzy, that’s-that’s- What? It’s-” She threw her hands in the air. “It’s unbelievable. It’s wonderful.”

“Crazy wonderful,” Alex placed her arms around both women. Cheri hopped off her stool and joined in the hug.

Gus arrived and asked about refills. Grinning, he said, “Looks like we’re celebrating.”

Suzy said, “Uh, that’s debatable. We’re still deciding.”

He shrugged as he carried several black, rolled-up napkins to a boisterous table of suit-wearing corporate types.

Alex peered over her chardonnay and studied her best friend as the impact of this startling news began to sink in. “What does Ken think?”

Suzy rubbed her forehead. “I haven’t told him.”

Hope gasped, her brown doe eyes practically popping out of her head. “You haven’t told Ken? Are you kidding?”

Suzy picked at her salad. “I just found out. I’m still getting used to the news. I didn’t believe the initial pregnancy test, went back to the store, and bought more kits—all different brands.”

“This is surreal. How many tests did you take?” Cheri asked.

“Four.” Suzy’s eyes crinkled. “I peed on four freaking pregnancy wands.”

Alex covered her mouth with her hand but was unable to stifle her giggles. “Four tests, huh? It sounds like you’re officially knocked up, Suzy Q.”

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