Page 3 of Haunt Improvement
On the flip side of that coin, the longer she stayed in my belly, the more likely she was to make her debut with a pointy hat.Which came with the real fear that she might inherit the wicked streak that was all too common in my family.
No matter how we sliced it, the sky seemed full of falling houses.
Hopefully, we would have a better idea of what to expect once bitty bat—or wittle witch, as I sometimes called her when we were alone—finally came along.Then maybe Zelda could have a peek and let us know just how Shifty things were going to get for our little girl.
Or how wicked.
Chapter 2
“BREATHE IN...ONE,two, three...breathe out...one, two, three...”
DeeDee’s docile voice rose ever so slightly over the chirping of birds and a babbling brook.The nature sounds were a soothing backdrop to the birthing class she taught at the community theater.Though,classwas maybe an overstatement.
Other than Dylan and me, there was only one other couple—which happened to be the gophers who lived across the street from us.Janice and Trevor’s older children had left the burrow, and they were eager to hear the scritch-scratch of little claws again.
We sat on blankets spread over the rehearsal stage floor, the expecting fathers tucked behind their roly-poly wives as if we were yoga balls, their hands resting on our expanding bellies, while DeeDee directed our breathing exercise in her calming voice.
Much to my shameful delight, Janice’s sweatpants were even tighter than mine.She caught me staring and paused her labored puffing to offer a smile.“The doc spotted a seventh heartbeat yesterday.”
“Oh, yes,” Trevor said, patting her side as if she were a prized heifer.“Our biggest litter yet.”
“How many are you having?”Janice asked, barely containing her gloating pride.
“Just one,” Dylan answered since my jaw had come unhinged.“And maybe a cow,” he added, finally noticing my green condition.“Cariño?”
“I’m fine,” I rasped, not entirely sure if that was true.“I just need...some air.”
“That’s because you’re notbreathing.”DeeDee tutted at my lazy focus.“In, one, two, three...”
I obeyed this time and sucked in a deep breath.
Seven babies.Holy poppy fields.And here I was stressing over the thought of one.Of course, my smug size comparison with Janice was biting me in the ass now, too.
Damn cookies.
“I forgot that witches don’t have litters,” Janice whispered as soon as DeeDee’s back was turned.“Is this your first?”I nodded but kept breathing.“Maybe you’ll get lucky next time and have twins like Zelda.”
