Against the Odds (Fighting to Survive #2)(20)
Next, I make all the runs that Sue has marked down. Some of these things are things she could have done, but I’m glad she included me. This is big and Leah will be excited, so, of course, I wanted to be involved in it, too.
I go into the bookstore and everything seems to be running smoothly. Bethany and Dove are working the counter and I am surprised to see Jo walk out of the back room. She is wearing an apron that says, Team Josephine. I get an idea and put it to memory to discuss it with Sue and my mom, later. I reassure everyone that Leah is fine and that we appreciate all they are doing to help out at the shop. Bethany hands me a stack of books and Jo gives me the deposits from the last few days. The shop is busy and I know Leah will be excited to hear it. Bethany is working the register and doesn’t have much time to talk.
Last of all, I get the ice cream. I get several pints of Ben and Jerry’s brand of different flavors. Actually, I get two pints of every flavor. If Leah doesn’t eat it, I will — after the championship fight. I also pick up some board games and some cards for me and Leah to play later. We still have a long way to go and I’m worried she’ll get bored and depressed.
I put everything away and hand Leah her ice cream and a spoon. “What took you so long?” she jokes and she puts a large spoonful into her mouth.
I say, “Be careful, you’ll get a…”
“Freezy head,” she interrupts, squinting her eyes closed.
Before Sue leaves, I tell her about the apron the Jo was wearing. I also tell her about my idea and she likes it. “Do you think we can pull it off for Saturday?” I ask.
“It doesn’t give us much time, but I think we can get everything together. I’ll know today if Saturday is doable.”
“Great, thank you. If you need anything, let me know.”
“I’ll call you later, Robert, Just take care of Leah,” she says before leaving.
Always, I think to myself.
This week Leah and I played chess, ate ice cream, read and she called Dove to see if she would bring over the books, receipts, and the deposits every week. Dove says she can do it on Saturday. So, on Saturday, I help Leah with her shower and she insists on wearing a sundress and not pajama’s. She says if Dove comes over she wants to be dressed. I don’t argue with her. I spend the day cleaning while Leah sits there. I know she wants to do something. I asked her would she like to start knitting and she throws a pillow at me. I was just trying to help, I swear. She makes me fold the blankets and put the pillows away. I know she wants it to look like she is fine when Dove comes over. Although Leah is still lying around, she appears to be just relaxing. I know this is the look she is trying for. The doorbell rings and Leah sits up a little straighter on the couch.
I take a deep breath before opening the door. Thankfully in walks Mom and Sue, first. If Leah gets mad, I want them to take some of Leah’s wrath, too. Leah smiles when she sees them and thankfully she smiles even bigger when the others walk in after them.
Today is the baby’s gender reveal party. Everyone walks in wearing either a pink or a blue shirt that says Team Pink or Team Blue. Everyone was asked what they thought the gender would be and Mom and Sue had shirts made for them to wear. I am surprised to see how many people of the guys are wearing pink. Jo, Carl, Bethany, Kyle, Dove, Gus, Mason, Angel, Emma, Alec, Sara, Donovan, Brea, Vincent, Brooke, Brice, Molly, and Adam are all here, wearing pink or blue shirts. I greet them with a smile as they make their way over to Leah, who is still lying on the couch. Looking over at Leah I am happy to see the she is smiling. Our attorney, Bruce, and his wife, Mason’s mom, Lilly also show up wearing matching Team Blue shirts. I have never seen him wear anything but a suit. He seems a little out of place in a tee shirt.
The house is bustling with people and food. Mom and Sue arrange the food on the table and Leah sits up further on the couch with her legs elevated. Good girl. I walk around the room and do the things that Leah would normally be doing. I think I’m doing it correctly. I’m making sure drinks are full and engaging in conversation where it seems to be lacking. Leah smiles at me and gives me a wave, as she talks to our guests. For the first time, I notice a table full of gifts. I walk over and pick up a wrapped item. The gift is wrapped in baby bottles and baby booties of all colors. A baby shower? I thought this was a gender reveal party.
When I see Sue, I say, “I thought we were doing the baby’s gender reveal.”
“We are.”
“There’s a table covered with gifts.”
“I know. Molly thought it would be nice to turn this into a baby shower, too. I thought it was an excellent idea, so we did.”
“Molly’s idea, huh?” I say looking around the room for her.
“Yes. She’s over there talking to Leah.”
Molly and I have a history together. After the accident that killed Jamie, I left Leah out of guilt and turned to drugs. I met Molly when some guys tried to proposition her and we started hanging out together after that. She was also on drugs and we ultimately became lovers. It was an unorthodox relationship. When two people are running away from something and turn to drugs, nothing makes sense. I have a lot of guilt for leaving Leah and a lot of shame from being with Molly. We both overdosed on drugs, we both got help, and lucky for me, Leah took me back. She knows about my and Molly’s past and I think in a way, Leah is grateful that I had Molly while living on the streets. Molly met an ex-drug user named Adam who turned preacher and they have recently married. Leah and I and Molly and Adam remain friends and for that, I am grateful. I am also happy for Molly that she found such an amazing person.