When Girlfriends Step Up (16 page)

“So I think I’m going to have a talk with my boss on Monday,” I said randomly in the middle of our lunch. I threw down a couple of salty, delicious potato chips. The scent of the vinegar lingered, mixing with the humid air coming in off the water and making its snaking way through the small alleys and passageways off the waterfront. It made the experience of eating my favorite craving all the more enjoyable. I munched on a couple more before saying, “Decided enough’s enough already. I’ve got my nice new clothes for work now. No sense in trying to hide the baby bump anymore. And I can’t stand wearing those baggy old clothes anyway. Time to tell the boss I’m preggers.”

Claire and Lara were happy to hear I’d come to my senses and reminded me to make sure I followed the doctor’s orders about the timing of my maternity leave. I would want to make sure I had a good week or two before my due date to be at home and do something called “nesting.”
 

Really, I need to put the paintbrush and pencil down and pick up that baby book again.
 

I made a mental note to look up what a “Bopee” was as soon as I was finished Googling “nesting.”

“And we’ve got holiday vacation time coming up too,” Lara said excitedly. “Totally forgot about the Fourth of July. Any plans?”

Claire waved her hands about frantically, finishing a bite of her sandwich. “Don’t make any. We’ve already got them. I totally forgot to mention it.” She swallowed. “So Chad’s parents are going away for the holiday. Somewhere in Victoria or something. Somewhere Canadian. I don’t know. Go celebrate an American holiday abroad, whatever. So Conner said that Chad invited us all to his parents’ place up over in Green Lake. How cool is that?”

How exciting! I was game for a party at Chad’s place. His parents were beyond wealthy, and their mansion on the lake was gorgeous. An ideal place to relax in the sun by the lake or the pool, and feel like that pampered princess after all.

“What do you say?” Claire looked eagerly at the both of us.

“I’m game!” I didn’t need any persuading.

“Sounds like an awesome plan,” Lara added.

“Perfect, then I’ll call Jackie and let her know. Sophie’s already game too.”

“Sophie’s coming?” It shouldn’t have surprised me like it did. Sophie and Chad could be tolerant of each other, and it wasn’t like there was
always
tension. Given the last Chad and Sophie interaction, however, I was surprised that she was willing to see him again so soon.

“Who’d pass up on a party at the Harris mansion? Of course Sophie’s coming.” Claire was right. No one in her right mind would pass up such an opportunity. “And besides, we can have the house for the entire holiday weekend. Conner said he and Chad are taking off early Friday so they can make one huge ass holiday of it.”

“Then Friday night consider me there!” I said.

“Yeah,” Lara said. “Friday night sounds great. What a
fantastic
weekend that’s going to be!”

Our holiday plans were set, and this year’s Fourth of July, despite my being pregnant, was going to be just as fun as any other year. We’d had a few parties at Chad’s parents’ place before and always had a smashing time. But how can you not when you have an outdoor, poolside kitchen that’s packed with everything you could want? Windsurf boards, kayaks, and a speedboat at your constant disposal. Even a sailboat if you wanted to be adventurous. And an entertainment room that could rival Scorsese’s. And, to top it all off, you get to share it all with your best friends.

“Should we swing by another shop real quick and find you a bathing suit?” Claire asked.
 

Great, I totally forgot that a summer holiday poolside or lakeside was synonymous with sporting a bathing suit.

“I’m sure she doesn’t need a new one just yet,” Lara said. “Unless you want one?”

“Please,” I said. “I don’t think my current bikini or a new one will make one ounce of difference. A pregnant chick is a pregnant chick no matter what kind of bathing suit you put her in. There’s no hiding it.”

***

I dabbed at my face with the hand towel resting on top of the treadmill screen.

“It’s not like I didn’t expect things to go that way,” I huffed, turning the treadmill off. “What else should I have expected?” I walked into the kitchen where Lara was pouring herself a piping cup of tea. She offered me one and I declined, favoring my water bottle after a good twenty-minute jog.

I lifted open one of the alcove windows. “It’s my mother, after all. She’s not exactly Super Woman.” I’d tried to put the whole conversation with my mother behind me; however, I had to keep Lara up to speed on the baby drama.

“You’d still think she’d have class enough to at least
feign
excitement, right? Didn’t she at least congratulate you? I mean, having a baby’s a pretty friggin’ big deal.”

“Yeah. She
feigned
that one.”

“And your dad?” Lara joined me in the dining room, pulling up a chair beside me as I stretched my calves using one of the chair’s legs for support.

“Oh, please. I don’t anticipate I’ll hear from him. Like, ever. I did finally email him.”

Lara blew on her hot beverage, shrugging. “You do what you can.”

“Oh! That reminds me!” I exclaimed, dashing into my bedroom to retrieve my laptop. “I totally forgot to tell you! Emily wrote back.”

Lara scooted in close as I opened my email inbox and clicked on Emily’s message.

“I can’t believe I forgot to tell you. I got her email late last night.”

“Read it out loud. I don’t have my reading glasses.”

I tried to catch my breath; the jog’s effects still had hold of me.
 

“
Dear Robin and Lara,
” I read. “
It’s so good to hop onto the internet when I can manage and see your names pop up in my inbox. Oh how I miss you girls! Robin, congratulations!!! That is some very big news. I’m still in shock, but I’m so happy for you! And the photos are amazing. That little guy (or girl) is going to be gorgeous, just like its momma. I am not sure when I’ll be heading back home, but you can bet I’ll be home in time for the birth. What an unforgettable Christmas it’ll be this year!
 

“
All is well in Ghana. The village has decided to adopt me and never let me return home. Ha Ha. Their way of life is so back-to-basics it’s refreshing. (Although 24/7 wireless service would be nice.) They’re very kind and hospitable—even learned how to braid my hair just like the locals (pic attached). I’ve been helping build a small school in between my town and the nearest one about thirty miles from here. It’s really crazy to see how two communities have to share one school, unlike at home where we have how many per district? Crazy! It’s also interesting, and endearing, to see the kids’ faces light up when a shipment of books and chalk and crayons comes in. Really puts things into perspective.

“
Well, it’s time I head home to help herd the animals. It’s getting to be that time of day again. Congrats again, Robin. I am so very, VERY proud of you. And can’t wait to see you soon and give you a hug. Lara, keep taking care of our girl and I’ll see you both soon. P.S. Send my love to all of the ladies and tell Jackie to keep out of trouble. God knows what’s happening at my apartment when I’m not there. LOL

“Hugs and Kisses, Emily

“And I forwarded it to the rest of the girls already.”

Lara blinked away one lone tear. “God, I miss her. She’s off seeing the world, herding animals and braiding hair…” She laughed and wiped at her eyes. “Look at me. All goofy and emotional. Like
I’m
the pregnant girl.”

“Aw, Lara, it’s been a while. We all miss her. But she’ll be back in the fall!”

Just then, as if on cue, Beebee leapt onto Lara’s lap and immediately started purring. Lara rubbed her behind her ears and hugged her tight.

“Before we know it Emily will be back in Seattle, regaling us with all sorts of adventurous stories and sharing tons of fun photos,” I said.
 

I especially loved it when Emily, the hobby photographer, shared the pictures she took on various trips. She was lucky that she was getting to do what she loved without really having to worry about who would foot the bill. She was that trust fund baby I was talking about, much like Chad. Emily’s parents were well to do, too, and encouraged her to travel the globe and chase her dreams. She could always get a “real job” when she wanted to explore that side of life. Until then, the world was her oyster, pearl and all.
 

None of us really understood how she did it. We all would love to take off and hit the open road, sure. Some of us, like Jackie, would naturally tire of the on-the-road lifestyle eventually, but many of us would keep on trekking and throwing ourselves into this culture and that without thinking twice. At some point, though, we’d all worry about how long we could sustain such habits. I guess that’s for all us non-trust fund babies to contend with while the Emilies and Chads of the world can come from wealthy stock and do pretty much whatever the hell they want. At least, through it all, given the endless opportunities and no-questions-asked, Emily and Chad hadn’t become like the Paris Hiltons of the world; having everything handed to them on a silver platter, and feeding off of everyone and everything and never giving a damn thing back.

“Well, I’m bushed,” I said, closing my laptop. “I’m going to shower and cash in early tonight.”

“Another early day at the office tomorrow?” Lara asked, still cuddling Beebee.

“Yeah. I want to get in early so I can talk with my boss about maternity leave. Whoopee.” I meandered back to the bathroom.

“At least you’ll look smoking hot doing it. You with all your fancy new clothes.”

Chapter Eleven

The following Monday I arrived at the office at a quarter to eight, confident that I would be there at least fifteen minutes before my boss. I was dressed in new clothes head to toe. I pulled my hair in a high pony-tail, covering the rubber band with a strand of what I still and will probably always insist is my naturally blonde hair. The pale blue, collared dress shirt was simple but attractively pleated in the back, making the contours of my now ever-present baby bump look just the way Claire said it should: small ‘n’ sweet. And the charcoal grey dress pants with the widened waistband done discretely and comfortably were the perfect match. With the slightest sweep of mascara, finished off with an application of pale pink lip gloss, I admit I looked like one hot momma who
also
rocked her career. Looking good in my new clothes, I felt bolstered with confidence.

On schedule, my boss, Mr. Lober, charged into his office, a Venti size Starbucks cup in one hand, his briefcase in the other. I quit my peering around the corner and tidied up the countertops of the break room where I’d been preparing my own morning beverage.
 

You can do this. Go in there and get it done.

“Mr. Lober?” I asked, knocking on his open door.

“Yes, Miss Sinclair. Do come in,” he said, sounding rather scatterbrained. He’d opened his briefcase and was digging through papers, setting aside books, files, folders. “I got your email. You wanted to make some time to chat this morning? Glad to see we can do it before the rush-rush of the day, eh?”

I thanked him for his time and took a seat while he continued busying himself with the contents of his briefcase.

“So what’s this all about? You’re not leaving us for greener pastures, are you?” Still sorting through his case.

I reassured him it was nothing of the sort, that such an idea was the farthest thing from my mind.

Finally, he closed his briefcase and took a seat himself. “Then what can I do you for?” He folded his hands on his desk and smiled at me.

Here goes…

“I wanted to let you know that I’m expecting.”
 

He raised one eyebrow.
 

“I’m expecting a baby,” I clarified.
 

Both eyebrows suddenly rose and then an, “Oh, wow! Golly! Well congratulations, Miss Sinclair!”

“Thank you.”

“Well, this is indeed a surprise.” I caught him giving me a quick once-over, trying to see if his usual scatterbrained behavior had caused him to completely oversee that one of his employees was obviously pregnant. “Well you must have
just
found out. I’d never tell.” I started to blush. “Congratulations. How wonderful. So we need to chat about maternity leave then, eh?”

A wave of relief washed over me—this was a completely relaxed, worry-free, and much more easy-going situation than I’d expected.

In a matter of only a few minutes, before anyone else sauntered into work on the usual manic Monday, Mr. Lober and I had my maternity leave all worked out, in addition to the vacation time I wanted to use. I was going to take the entire months of December and January off, and play it by ear when it came to February. I wanted to be accountable at work, while at the same time I wanted to be a good mother, and there for my baby when it needed me most.

One step at a time
, I had to keep reminding myself. The maternity leave was squared away and didn’t seem like it’d be too troublesome if I wanted to switch a few things around, when and if the time came. What a relief to have that one taken care of. Of course, there was still the matter of the entire office finding out, Janet and Bobby in particular, whose reactions weren’t easy to predict. Although I was sure Janet would play her usual bitch card.
 

That’s going to be fun.

“And we’re still having your review in August, correct, Miss Sinclair?” Mr. Lober said, as I was heading out of his office.

I turned towards him, my heart skipping a beat at the prospect of receiving that raise. “Oh, absolutely. I’m looking forward to it.”

He nodded his head and began fiddling with the mountain of papers, files, and books that he’d unloaded onto his desk when he arrived, returning to his scatterbrained world.

“Well, well, well, look what the new Ann Taylor LOFT cat dragged in,” Janet said from behind me, causing me to jump. I spilled a small amount of hot tea onto my office floor, but only cursed the accident in my mind. Luckily I missed my hand and new outfit. Tea stains wouldn’t go with the sophisticated career woman look I was going for.