In a Book Club Far Away(85)

“No, we want it to be a surprise.”

The nurse applied a second transducer toward the top of her bump to detect contractions. “All right. I’ll be back in about fifteen minutes”

Regina stared up at the ceiling, at the square tiles and the tiny holes. Where was her husband? She checked her phone again, as if she hadn’t been clutching it all this time, and then tested the volume. Anger zinged through her, then concern, and then suspicion.

She pushed it out of her head. There’s nothing to be suspicious about, Regina. Still, she sent another text to Logan: Where are you?

And then, as if her friends knew that she was in a state of confusion and frustration, a text flew in.

Sophie

I hope your appointment goes well today.



Thank you!



Adelaide

OMG, I almost forgot! Matt’s flight is landing tomorrow, and it’s all I can think about. Good luck today.



Sophie

So excited for you, Ad.



YAY for redeployment!



Adelaide

I took bets. Everyone says it’s a girl. Only one person said it’s going to be a boy.



Sophie

That one person is me. C’mon, I’m right about these things. I’ve got the touch.



<3



Regina’s eyes watered—goodness, her emotions were everywhere. She was grateful for these women, that they had intuited to text. She took a deep breath to calm herself.

Sophie

What does Logan think? Boy or girl?



Oh God, Regina actually didn’t know.

We just pray that the baby is going to be healthy.



Sophie

Aw, I like that. Priorities.



Adelaide

I still think she’s a girl.



Regina heard footsteps and the sound of voices, but none were Logan’s. Her mood crashed.

Gotta go. Not supposed to be using my cell phone.



The door jiggled and Ms. Samson came in and looked at the monitor. “Baby looks great on the monitor, but it seems like your body is trying to gear up for labor.”

“Really?” She turned her head toward the machine, where Ms. Samson lengthened the narrow strip of paper.

“Contractions are coming every three minutes. You’re not feeling it?”

“I am. They feel like tiny cramps.” She put her hands on her belly, keeping clear of the equipment, and, yep, it was tightening. “That is a trip.”

“We might need to admit you if we see cervical changes.”

“Okay.” She watched Ms. Samson type information into the computer, and her heart sped up. Was her bag packed? Did she need to do anything at work? Oh God, she hadn’t shaved her legs in days. She had been planning the hair-removal ordeal this weekend complete with pedicure so she wouldn’t frighten everyone in the delivery room.

Then, she felt a gush of warmth between her legs. “Um.”

“If you’re in the latent stage of labor, we could also send you home, where you’ll be much more comfortable—”

“Ms. Samson?”

“Yes?”

“I…” God, Logan, where are you? Her belly tensed, much harder than in the past, and—“I feel something, down there.”

Ms. Samson’s eyes widened. “Well, let’s see.” She lifted the blanket. “Ah, it looks like you’re definitely staying. We’ll have to swab to make sure, but I think your water broke.” She patted Regina’s knee. “Did you get a hold of your husband?”

“No, but…” She felt like a fool having to explain. Because she didn’t have an explanation. What would she say? That her husband simply forgot, and apparently didn’t know how to answer his texts or phone calls? She stuttered an excuse. “H-he’ll be here soon.”

“Great.” Ms. Samson continued the barrage of mundane questions, which Regina was thankful for, because focusing on her answers kept her from crying. This was supposed to be the happiest time in her life, but she felt lonelier than ever.





CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

Adelaide




T minus twenty-four hours until Matt’s arrival, and Adelaide was in her apartment enjoying a glass of rosé. The house was clean, the menu planned for the rest of the week. She and Matt’s block leave plans were all set—they were taking a trip to Sedona, his way: camping. While her choice had been a Greek vacation with the best their money could buy, at this point, any time with her husband would suffice.

In the last two weeks, Adelaide’s life had gone from bustling to quiet. With two of her best friends’ spouses returning, her daily social calendar was as stark as Texas on a blistering summer day.

Not to say that events weren’t happening. All around her, the majority of the neighborhood had awakened. With troops slowly returning, though not exactly back at work because of block leave, the neighborhood streets teemed with people. Families were catching up, taking walks, having informal barbecues in backyards, gathering under porches and at the playground. Through the evening, the sounds of laughter permeated the air. It was like summer vacation for adults.

Adelaide was happy for these families. She loved to hear them celebrate; she relished in the happy smiles, and watched nostalgically as couples held hands.