Page 27 of A Beginner's Guide to Forever
And this was how things were with us—a heaping dose of honesty and mutual adoration sustained us. Where other friendships grew apart over time, ours never had, and for that I was grateful.
“There are mocktails.” She points to the bar.
“Do you want one?”
“Sure.” She nods.
I fetch us both a watermelon mojito and find a seat next to her.
“How are you feeling these days?”
“This is the easy part.” She waves me off. “Once this baby comes out, then it’s midnight feedings and sore nipples ... and I’ll have two others to look after.”
My gaze follows hers out to the yard, where her adorable oldest son is waving around a stick like he’s a swashbuckling pirate, and her three-year-old daughter is lifting up her dress, showing her underpants to anyone who cares to see them. I stifle a chuckle.
“Yes, but you’re a pro now. You’ve got this,” I assure her.
Scarlet’s hand rests on her belly, which she strokes absentmindedly. “We’ll see about that. I feel like I’m more tired than I’ve ever been. Enough about me. What’s new with you?”
She knows better than to ask if I’m dating someone. If there’s news, I’ll tell her. Just like I knew better than to ask her each month she was going through IVF for this last baby if she was pregnant. My parents, unfortunately, do not have the same tact when it comes to my personal life.
“A lot, actually,” I say, giving her a coy look while I take a cheeky sip of my mocktail.
“Really?” She lifts one eyebrow.
“I may have something interesting to report. Of a more personal nature.”
“Oh, I’m going to need all the details.” She smiles knowingly.
“Mom! Mom! I found a toad!” her six-year-old son, Crosby, says excitedly as he comes charging over. “It’s the world’s most amazing toad, Mom!”
“Wow. Don’t touch it, okay?”
He nods and runs back to a spot in the yard where several kids have gathered around to peer down into the grass.
“Will!” Scarlet calls out to her other half. She points toward the kids. “I’m gonna need you to handle that.”
“Ten-four, little mama.” Will gives her a playful salute.
She turns her attention back to me. “Can you hang out for a bit?”
I nod.
“I need to talk to my cousin Sarah for a few minutes, or her mom will get mad at my mom—it’s a whole thing. Family politics.” She makes a displeased sound.
“No problem. Go. We’ll talk later.”
Scarlet hefts herself up from her chair, and I go off to inspect the world’s most amazing toad.
The world’s most amazing toad is also the world’s most incontinent toad because as soon as Will picks it up, it pees all over him. The kidssqueal with delight. I can’t help but laugh right along with them. But Will’s not rattled—he was an army medic. He pretends to reach for his little girl with his wet hand, and she shrieks, then runs away laughing.
Thisis what I want right here.
No, not a toad that pees on me. I want a big family full of laughter, endless love, and silly shenanigans.
While I wait for Scarlet to finish thanking all the guests for coming, I respond to a message from my mom.
Mom:Join us for dinner out tonight? We can go to that Italian place you love.
