Page 5 of Just Breathe

“Are you trying to hook up with a married woman again?” I rolled my eyes at my friend Nathaniel walking up to us.

“It was one-time guys, and I didn’t know she was married.” I cringed at the memory.

Nate smirked. “Sure, man, keep telling yourself that.”

“Well, she isn’t married anymore. She lost her husband and child eight months ago,” I said, and Callum instantly glared at me.

“Are fucking serious? You couldn’t have shared that piece of information before I made an ass of myself?” Callum looked at Jane’s car driving down the road.

“Madie just told me this morning. She wasn’t even supposed to be here till tomorrow, so telling you guys didn’t seem as important as getting this baby stuff moved.”

“Well shit, I feel like an asshole.” He ran his hand through his short hair. “This whole time I thought you were glaring because you wanted to be with her alone.”

I shook my head at him. “I was trying to get you to shut up before you said anything more without making it worse.”

“Damn, that must be so heartbreaking. Losing your child and husband at the same time. I’m surprised she’s even here. I would think this would be too much to handle.” Nate wiped his face with his handkerchief.

“She looks like she’s tough, but the loss is still fresh. I don’t think you ever get over losing someone, especially a child.” Callum was still looking at the driveway that Jane had just driven down. “Did she say what she wanted to do with the baby stuff?” He still looked a little guilty.

“She wants to give it away. She said she wanted to find a mom in need. I was thinking of Kelsey. What do you guys think?” I looked at them both for suggestions.

“I’m sure Kelsey would love the crib. That’s all she’s talked about these last few weeks and getting the baby room ready,” Callum said.

“She wants to give that away??” Nate sounded shocked. “That crib is about fifteen hundred bucks.”

“What?” I blurted out.

“Who the fuck spends fifteen hundred on a damn crib?” Callum said, looking around for the crib like he wanted to check the price tag.

“How do you know they spent that much?” I asked.

“That crib is a Maloney Crib. This man custom makes all his furniture, plus they had their initial engraved in it. I’m sure they were going to use it for all of their kids for that price.” I swear Nate was just full of random information.

“And she just wants to give it away?” Callum looked confused, not used to seeing the nicer side of people. In his life, nothing ever comes for free. There is always a price for everything.

“I’m sure she just doesn’t want to deal with it and seeing it is just too much for her.” Nate looked solemn as he spoke. Out of the three of us, he was the one who dealt with death the most and the most recently.

“Do we have anyone else in mind for the baby stuff? I’d like to have it gone before she has a chance to think about it again,” I asked again.

“I think Kelsey is the perfect choice. I’m sure she will be very appreciative since that asshole ghosted her,” Nate agreed.

I looked at Callum to see if he had any objections. He shook his head, still looking like he was trying to see if there were any strings attached to this deal, but I didn’t think there were any. I’m sure she wanted most of the items gone to help with her mourning. She looked like a decent person too and who was I to say anything about her generosity.

“Are we sure she’ll not come back and ask for money when reality has set in? I’d hate for Kelsey to be screwed over.” Callum looked like he wanted to say no to the crib. “Maybe it’s not a good idea for Kelsey to get the crib.”

“I don’t think she’s going to be like that, and if she asks for money, then we will figure it out then,” Nathan chimed in. “I mean, we could always pay her and then charge her the cost somewhere in the house.”

Callum still looked wary, but he nodded his head in agreement.

“Alright, let’s get that shit loaded up and at least out of here before she comes back tomorrow. Then we can work out the details.” I started walking towards the baby items and they followed. “After we pack up, let’s get some dinner. I’m fucking starving.”

* * *

The next morning, we pulled up to the Ramos house to see Jane’s Subaru already there. She had the trunk opened and it looked like she was setting up breakfast. I usually paid no attention to my clients but, with her, after hearing her news, I felt something for her. I just didn’t know what.

“I hope she brought something good,” Callum grumbled. He was not a morning person and usually took till the afternoon to stop being such a grouch.

“Don’t be an ass, especially after yesterday,” Nate said, opening the door and grabbing his tool belt. “I’m sure that’s the last thing she needs.”

---