Page 26 of Dropping the Ball

The question makes him smile. “No. Neighborhood friends.”

“Oh.”

“Listen, I’m weirdly invested in this baby because I’ve been meeting with Madison the whole time she’s been pregnant. I’ll get out of your hair, but when you get a free minute, would you text me and let me know how it went?”

“Sure.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to invite him to stay, but he’s right. It’s probably weird. “Thanks for helping today.”

He slides Madison’s keys from his pocket. “I did park it neatly between the lines, so I’m the real MVP. It’s over in the visitor lot.”

“Right. Thanks again.”

“Will your car be okay at your office after hours?”

“I’ll figure it out.” No doubt Madison would soon send up a bat signal to her besties, and once they descended, I’d be able to get a ride back to my car.

“Are you sure? I can call a buddy, and we can go pick it up for you.”

I eye him, impressed by his desire to help. It reminds me of how adamant he was about sticking with me until my mom came after I broke my nose. Then it had felt intrusive. Today it feels thoughtful.

“Are you looking for an excuse to drive my Audi?”

He presses his hand to his chest and gives me aWho, me?look.

“Too bad.”

He gives me a very sad face.

“Seriously, though, I’m not worried about getting my car,” I tell him. “The posse’s coming. We’ll handle it.” Or I’d grab a Lyft.

“Good, good.” He shifts his weight, glancing toward the sign over the double doors that reads “Birthing Suites.” “I’ll get out of your way then. Congratulations.”

I give him a confused look. Congratulations?

“On being an aunt,” he clarifies.

“Right,” I say, a small smile slipping out. Itisa big deal. Auntie Katie? I’ll work on it. “I’ll keep you posted.”

He leaves, and I get up to pace, ready to jump into action. I don’t know what kind of action. Anything. All the things.

Whatever my big sister needs.

Chapter Eleven

Kaitlyn

I’ve only been pacingfor ten minutes when Oliver rushes in, a diaper bag slung over one shoulder, a duffel bag in his other hand. I help him get checked in and soon he disappears through the double doors. He’s back in minutes, sans bags, looking slightly frantic.

“Turns out her back pain is actually called back labor and she’s been having contractions all along. Better call Sami.”

I do. Like the best friend she is, Sami is there within the hour.

Once it became clear Madison was in labor, she’d been moved and settled into her private room, and Sami and I are able to go in and hang out. Sami laughs when Madison rejects her “Birth Playlist” in favor of watchingReal Housewivesreruns on the room’s TV, and we take turns walking with Madi or rubbing her back until she’s so uncomfortable that she requests an epidural.

By midnight, the baby isn’t here yet. The midwife on call checks Madison and informs us that the epidural has slowed her labor, which isn’t unusual. She’s only five centimeters dilated, and Nancy, the midwife, tells us all to try and get some sleep.

“The baby will let you know when it’s time to wake up,” she tells us.

Oliver folds out the sofa bed next to Madison’s hospital bed and insists that Sami and I take it because he wants to sit beside Madison.

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