Page 21 of Geordie

“Eddie says he wants to go to the gender-reveal party tomorrow. He’s driving me.”

The lump in my gut turns to annoyance. Then I remember she’s pregnant and this might be hormones. “That’s great. Eddie is going to the party, then there’s no need for me to attend.”

“Noooo,” she whines, and her objection comes through the phone like a blast. “You’ve got to come. I want to share this with you. Eddie has changed since he found out I’m pregnant. He’s territorial, and he hovers. Eddie never used to hover. He opens doors for me, and now when we walk down the street, he walks on the outside. Who is this man?” she groans.

I giggle, picturing Eddie following her around like a helicopter parent. “I think it’s sweet. He’s trying to take care of you.”

“I still want you to come to the party with me or us.” Now there’s pleading in her voice. “They’ve moved the party to a hotel downtown; you’re closer to the venue than I am. It actually works out.” I say nothing, so she rushes on. “Your restaurant is closed on Sundays… don’t back out now. I just sent the address to you. It’s at the Hotel Izuki.”

A gender-reveal party is the last place on earth I want to be, but Molly is my friend and it’s stuck in her head that she wants me to attend. “I’ll go,” I relent.

“Great, we’ll have fun. See you there.”

I slip my phone into my pocket and step back onto the balcony.

“Is your friend all right? She sounded distressed.”

I guess my conversation wasn’t private after all. “She wants me to attend a party with her tomorrow night.”

“What’s the problem? You get to see all your friends, eat and drink for free. Sounds like a good deal for time spent.”

I slide back into my seat. “They’re not my friends. The woman who is having a baby is someone I knew briefly in high school. I’m going because my friend wants me there. But now her husband is coming, and I’ll just be third wheel at a gender-reveal party.”

Geordie’s eyebrows furrow together from concentrating too hard. “I’ve heard of gender-reveal parties, but what is it exactly? Do they not know what they’re having?”

I want to change the subject, but his question sounds genuine. “Sometimes the couple knows the sex of the baby beforehand. At those parties, they’re just letting their friends and family know the sex of the baby.”

“I can see how that would be convenient for the couple. It would cut down on inquiries if everyone knew at the same time.”

“That’s an efficient way to make sure people are informed, but it’s the way some go about it that’s annoying.”

“For example?” His face questioning.

I blow out a breath for needing to explain this custom. “Some couples decide not to learn the sex of their baby before their family and friends.”

Before Geordie can ask why, I continue with my example. “A couple receives the information from their doctor, let’s say in a sealed envelope. That letter is taken to a piñata maker. Without revealing the sex of the baby to the parent, pink or blue candy will be stuffed into something that looks like a huge baby buggy. So, when they beat the large papier-mâché stroller to bits, the candy will explode onto the lawn and everyone will know the sex of the child at the same time. But that’s not all they do at these parties. Until the actual reveal, they’ll play these cutesy games to guess the sex of the baby. I’ve even heard they place bets.”

“This does not interest you? I thought women liked that sort of thing.”

How can I tell him that this happiness over a child coming is difficult for me, without sounding envious? “It is, but right now, I have a lot on my mind.”

He grabs the coffeepot, motioning if I would like to have my mug topped off. I nod. “If it’s that painful for you, would it help if someone shared your misery? I can attend the party with you.”

Chapter eleven

Princess Pink

Geordie

MyvisitwithWilliamand meeting Emmy, sparked an interest in having children as a single man. Searching the PollenNation website I found articles and stories about men starting a family on their own. This was an option I didn’t know was possible. The idea of fatherhood has always been lurking in the back of my mind. It took my accident and subsequent events to bring a vague notion to the forefront.

I had a difficult time accepting my parents’ death. For years, I dreamed they were still alive, imprisoned somewhere, not able to contact me, and that one day they would escape their prison so we could be a family again.

Lochlan and I had talked for hours about how we’d find our parents and make a bold rescue, but after we left childhood behind, Lochlan wasn’t keen on the adventure of finding a lost maw and da. Even after he stopped participating in the fantasy, I still harbored the notion that one day I would put my family back together again… I just didn’t know how.

The next day William called to invite me to lunch. During our conversation, I questioned him about raising a child as a co-parent. It was difficult without sounding like I had perverted intentions, but William answered my questions without suspicion, sensing I needed to know. He talked about his brother, who decided after a few failed relationships, that he couldn’t wait any longer to marry the perfect woman and have a family, so he started a family on his own.

William offers to invite his brother to lunch as well, explaining it would be a good time to ask him about his experience.

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