Four Kicks - Stephanie Brother Page 0,8

feel the love flowing between the six of them – it’s nearly overwhelming.

We talk for a few minutes. I take pictures and find out more about the delivery, which, thankfully, went very smoothly.

The nurse, who’d been making notes on a chart and on the room’s whiteboard, eventually interrupts us. “She might be getting hungry. Would you like to try again to nurse her?”

When Maddy nods, I slip in to give Amelia a quick kiss on the cheek. “I’ll leave you alone. Let me know when you’re home and when you’re ready for visitors.”

“I will.” Maddy flashes me a quick smile before returning her attention to her baby.

I slip out of the room, more determined than ever that I want to be a mom.

Driving home, I’m distracted by a growing sense of restlessness. The thought of spending a quiet evening in my tiny one-room apartment feels suffocating, but a night out at Rusty’s, or some similarly loud place, doesn’t appeal, either.

On a sudden inspiration, but more from a lack of other ideas, I make a turn toward the beachfront side of the island and park in a public access lot. Even though it’s mid-week, it’s still tourist season, but I’m lucky enough to find an open bench along the path.

There are several families out on the beach. A mom is building a sandcastle with a little boy, and a dad is tossing a football to two pre-teen girls nearby. The sun is starting to set, and though I don’t have a good view from where I am, the changing colors of the sky and water cast a mood, the approaching end of the day making me moody and reflective.

I feel alone.

Everyone in my view is either coupled up or part of a family unit. I want that, but all of a sudden, I realize I have no solid plan. I’m very familiar with the supply of eligible men on the island, and it’s not a long list. Asking friends and family to set me up probably won’t work but may be worth a try. Maybe I should go out more in towns on the mainland. Maybe I should try dating apps?

While I sit and ponder the possibilities, the wind picks up and blows my curls into my face. As I’m securing my hair with a tie, my phone vibrates in my pocket.

Some small part of me isn’t surprised to see David’s name on the screen. Aside from running into each other once in a while, we haven’t been in touch in years, but he’s remained in my contacts list even through phone upgrades. His picture used to come up when he called, but I deleted that a long time ago.

I consider not answering, but curiosity gets the best of me. “Hello?”

“Lacy?”

“Yes?” I could let him know that I know it’s him, but I decide not to.

“It’s David.”

“Hi, David.”

“Hi, how are you?”

“I’m fine. How are you?”

He laughs a little, sounding uncomfortable. “I’m all right. Are you busy?”

“Not at the moment.” Not busy at all lately, I think to myself.

“That’s good. I just wanted to call and see how you were doing.” I’m reminded of how David never really was very good at conversation. I’d have thought he’d have gotten better over the years. “How’s your family?” he asks.

“They’re good.” I’m usually much chattier, but some part of me doesn’t want to make this awkward conversation easier for him.

“Good, good.” He clears his throat. “It was my mom who suggested I call. I guess she talked to your mom. I was wondering if you wanted to get together sometime.”

I decide to play dumb to get a tiny bit of revenge on behalf of my teenage broken heart. “Wouldn’t your wife mind?”

“Oh! Oh sorry, I thought you would have heard from your mom, or from somewhere. Rebecca and I are separated.”

I soften my tone. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Thanks. It’s fine. It’s for the best.”

There’s silence for a moment before I respond. Aside from our breakup, David always was a nice guy. Why not see him again? “I guess that would be all right, then.”

He lets out a relieved breath, and we make plans for him to pick me up on Friday. I feel a little glimmer of hope when we end our call. Maybe the timing of David’s breakup and my desire to settle down are more than a coincidence. Could fate be bringing us back together?

6

A fairy-tale love story

I’m getting ready for my date on Friday when there’s a knock at my