In a Book Club Far Away(88)

“All right. Well, I’m glad you’re home because”—he glanced over his shoulder—“can we talk?”

Sophie’s sixth sense rang a bell so loud that she blinked repeatedly at him, to steady herself. His language the last few days had been of feelings and emotions. They’d talked about their future, their children’s lives. His hopes for them, and of building a life together. There had been no real talk of work. “Aren’t we talking now?”

“It’s about our plans.”

She took a step back. It was a purposeful move, to remind herself that she could stand on her own two feet. Because she could sense that what he was going to say was going to rock her world.

“I had a physical today.”

“Jasper?”

“It’s… nothing.”

“If it were nothing, then you would have already said it.”

“Okay, okay.” He leaned back against the counter. “The doc found something. A lump. In my testicle.”

Sophie watched as his Adam’s apple bobbed. “Cancer?”

“I don’t know yet. I have an MRI next week.”

She threw her arms around his waist. “Oh God.”

“Soph.” He pushed her away, gently. He was asking her to be strong with his eyes. “But if I do. Have it, I mean. I can’t do what I promised. I can’t get out. I won’t. The health care, the life insurance. The girls and you.”

“I don’t care about that. I only care about you.” Sophie said, definitively, scooping up all the strength in her being. She changed out her partner-hat for her nurse-hat. To her surprise, her voice emerged without any trace of fear. “If this is cancer, we stay in and we will get you well.”





CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR

Regina




The next morning in the hospital room Regina was awakened by the sound of knocking. “Come in,” she said reflexively, while pressing her hand against her cheek. Her eyes darted about her surroundings. She was, momentarily, discombobulated. She was lying in a quiet and dark room, free of monitors and machines, and at her bedside table was her copy of The Sky Is Everywhere, a tray of food, and a bottle of sparkling apple cider. Then she looked down to her belly, which was decidedly no longer taut and round.

With this recalibration, her joy was renewed. She was a mommy! Last night had been painful and confusing, full of tears and a crying baby.

Closely trailing was the realization that her body ached, everywhere.

She sat up gingerly, to see Sophie come in with a basket and balloons. “Hey.”

“Hey, mama.” Sophie set down the basket and leaned down and hugged the top part of Regina’s body. Sophie’s giddiness could be heard in the shake of her voice. “Congratulations. How are you feeling?” She stood and looked around the room. “Is the baby in the nursery?”

Regina nodded, parched still. “Just to be checked out.”

Sophie perched by her legs. “Look at you. You’re beautiful.”

“I don’t feel beautiful.” She pushed her hair back, though she knew her ponytail was trashed. “Thank you, though.”

“What did you name him?”

“Logan Michael. We’re giving him the nickname Miko.”

“Miko. I love it.” Sophie peeked at Regina’s bedside chart, which happened to be hanging on the footboard.

“Are you checking out my paperwork?”

“Maybe.” Sophie grinned. “I want to make sure you’re set up well. Also, Adelaide—”

“I know she’s busy with reunion. She texted, actually, to let me know, too. I think the buses should be there right now.” Regina flushed. She had a lot to explain about yesterday. “I’m sorry I didn’t let you all come visit yesterday.”

“You don’t have to mention it. You were in labor.”

Regina winced. “Right, but when you got here, I wasn’t in major labor yet. It’s just… it’s just that Logan and I had to work something out. To be honest, we got into a fight.”

“Are you guys okay?” Sophie’s face sported a frown.

Regina jumped in with her answer. “Oh, much better. I think I was just anxious and I felt a little out of control.… Anyway…” Her voice trailed off at this partial truth. The rest of the story was that she hadn’t wanted her friends to see her so angry at Logan.

“Well, I’m here now, and can stay to help out for as long as you need. Like if Logan needs a night to himself, I don’t mind taking a shift.”

Regina exhaled a breath. The last twenty-four hours had been stressful, mostly occupied with her labor, enjoying Miko, and attempting to figure out how to diaper and swaddle a wiggly baby, but also partly managing how to handle her lingering questions regarding Logan’s whereabouts the day before. He had made it to the hospital two hours after Regina was admitted, and by then, she had been on the verge of exploding in anger, not to mention completely dilated and ready to push. He’d claimed he’d misplaced his phone—and what could she say about that? “I would love for you to stay. I need your steadiness. I need help feeding Miko. Breastfeeding is so hard, and the nurses are great, but they have other patients, too.”

Sophie smiled back. “Then I’ll be here. When’s Logan getting back?”