Page 28 of Jeremy
Hislips press into a thin line. “No, I hired them. I wanted to make sure I wasrepairing it right.”
“You’venever done it before?”
“No.”
Throwingmy arms up, I exclaim, “Then why did you volunteer?”
Hereaches down and grabs a toolbox. “Just because I haven’t, doesn’t mean Ican’t. I learn fast. And I’m paying them. I have more money than I could everspend.”
“That’snot the point. I’m not some welfare case. I can take care of my own expenses.”
Sighing,he attacks me with those intense eyes. “I know that. Look, let’s just call itan apology for the way I treated you…that night. And at the yard sale.”
Ilean against the house. “You know, normal people would just say sorry.”
“Neverclaimed to be normal. Besides, I won the bet. And you aren’t supposed toargue.”
“Iagreed I wouldn’t resist you fixing stuff! Not hiring contractors!”
Hissmirk pisses me off. And I kind of want to kiss it off his face. “I don’trecall that being in the stipulations. Now, I have to get back to work.”
“No,you don’t!” the older man calls from above us.
Ican’t help the giggle that escapes me, and I shout back up to him. “Good luck!He’s stubborn as fuck!”
Iturn to go back inside, calling over my shoulder. “Your chili is done. Wheneveryou want to collect. You might want to get it before I dump in some puppy food.Since I don’t recall making it with beef being in the stipulations.”
Iswear, as he climbs the ladder, I hear a deep chuckle.
Whatis this man doing to me?
Afew hours later, he knocks on the back door. Dirt and sweat have never lookedso good on a man. “We got it patched, but you may want to look into a new roofnext summer.”
“Thanks,I’ll keep it in mind.”
Hesteps inside while I retrieve his pot of chili and a pan of cornbread.
“Justheat it on low until it’s simmering.”
“Thanks.”
Hetakes the pot from me and heads back outside. I want to call after him, ask ifhe’d like to come over, watch TV or something, but I resist. The last time wasjust a fluke, and I can’t expect him to spend every second with me.
Idecide to start on the nursery. I have the room painted a deep blue. Now is thefun part, where I get to paint the stars and a big smiling moon, looking downon my baby as it sleeps. I’ll be glad to find out the sex so I can stopthinking of the baby as it. Only a few more weeks.
Ispend the rest of the day painting, and by the time I’ve finished, my littleone’s room is transformed into a starry night sky, complete with The Milky Wayand a sliver of moon. A quick visit to the website for Mom and Baby is all ittakes to confirm my registry and place the order for everything I scanned attheir store. I’m glad that delivery and set up are offered, since I can’t buildfurniture to save my life.
Despitethe way I got into this condition, my excitement is starting to build as thebaby becomes more real in my mind. It starts to really sink in. I’m going to bea mother. For the rest of my life, I’ll be a mother. And I’m surprised therealization doesn’t terrify me as much as I thought it would. I know I have alot to learn, which is why I enrolled in the birthing and baby care classesthat start tomorrow. I just hope I’m not the only one who shows up alone.
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Iam. The pastel hell of a room I’m lead to for the first class is full ofsmiling couples, the women at all different stages of pregnancy. Thick mats arearranged on the floor in a circle where everyone sits. I’m not big yet, butsome of these women are close to delivery. I can’t imagine who thought it wouldbe a good idea for them to sit on the floor when they won’t be able to get up.Of course, they have loving partners to help them.
I’mnot going to let those bitter thoughts invade today though. Lots of women facepregnancies alone. After I sign in, a nice young woman greets me.
“HiMelissa, I’m Nellie, and I’m glad to have you with us today. How far along areyou?”
“Almostseventeen weeks.”
