Page 128 of A Moment for Us
I smile, forcing my lips into the foreign state. I can’t remember when the last time I truly smiled. Probably before we lost our daughter. “Thank you.”
Delia comes up behind me. “Is that a cake?”
“It is. Oh, you sweet girl, how are you?” Mrs. Garner asks.
“I’m doing okay. One day at a time.”
I open the door fully, letting them inside because it seems they were doing that anyway.
Mrs. Garner presses her hand to Delia’s cheek. “I’m sorry, honey. I lost two babies before my last son was born. It’s such a hard thing to grieve.”
“Thank you. Cake makes everything a little easier, right?” Delia tries to sound light, but I hear the sadness in her voice.
“Cake is a magical thing,” she agrees.
Mrs. Villafane points to the door. “Joshua, out in the car is a basket with more food. Be a dear and grab it for me.”
I catch Delia’s grin as I do as she asks. When I get back in, the women have sliced the cake and are dishing it.
“Now, I know this is a hard time, but if you need anything, we are always here.”
“We appreciate it.”
“Even if you just need someone to check in every few hours,” Mrs. Garner offers.
A piece of cake falls from Delia’s lips. “No, no. That’s not necessary. Josh has been home with me.”
“Yes, and it’s been great because I heard Jeremy caught those kids that tried breaking into the house.”
“Which kids?” she asks.
“Oh, just some teenagers.”
Delia looks at me. “Told you it was nothing to be worried about.”
“Better safe than sorry,” I toss back. And it goes for more than that.
“I’m glad to hear that, Mrs. Garner.”
“Me too, but as I was saying, I’ll come by every day and we can just sit together if you need some company.”
She shakes her head. “That’s not necessary, I go back to work tomorrow.”
Their eyes bulge, and they look to me. “You’re letting her go back to work? What if she falls? What if something happens to her?”
“I tried to stop her,” I add in. “I wanted her to stay home.”
I’m beginning to like these women a bit more. They brought food, dessert,andthey’re on my side in this.
“I’ll be fine,” Delia says quickly. “Josh and I have discussed it, and my doctor thinks it’s fine.”
Mrs. Villafane waves her hand dismissively. “Please. Those hacks don’t know the first thing about babies.”
“Considering she delivers them every day, I trust she does,” Delia says quietly.
“Well, I could deliver them too, you know. I had five, and by the last one, I don’t even think I was needed there. The baby does the work, and the doctor is just there to catch it. Clearly, Josh doesn’t agree with the doctor either,” Mrs. Garner helpfully points out.
“I don’t.”
