Page 7 of Back To You

Emmett’s large frame further accentuates how small his wife is even as she wobbles towards us with her swollen belly looking about ready to burst. Drew’s red wine hair is twisted in a bun on the nape of her neck, her black maternity pants and tank top looking much more comfortable than the dress she was wearing at the courthouse an hour ago.

“I’m so sorry we’re late,” she announces as she throws her arms around both Mia and Eddie, hugging them as best she can with her stomach in the way. “I couldn’t stay in that dress any longer,” she explains, sitting down in the chair Emmett pulled out for her between Mia and me.

Drew didn’t go back to teaching this past school year, Emmett not wanting her out of his sight even more than ever since she got pregnant; I don’t think I’ve seen her stand any longer than two minutes since they announced her pregnancy.

I was worried about Drew and Emmett becoming parents, selfishly because I was so worried it would change things between all of us. In reality, it’s been a true blessing, and we can’t wait to meet the boy or girl she is supposed to pop out any day now.

The Lenny’s crew is ready to expand after these seven years together.

“Don’t even give it a second thought,” Mia says as Luke appears at our table, setting down a glass of water in front of Drew, a tequila sunrise in front of Mia, and another gin and tonic in front of me.

I ignore the flip in my stomach as his body steals the space around mine now that a table isn’t between us. With Emmett standing behind Drew’s chair, Eddie standing behind Mia’s, Luke stands behind mine

It always happens like this, even more over the years with our four best friends being coupled off.

“How are you feeling?” I ask Drew. It comes out evenly even though my voice is a second away from cracking. I’ve learned that confidence is all about faking it until you make it.

“Tired,” Drew answers, “and ready for this baby to come out, but tonight isn’t about me,” she says, turning to Mia. “It’s about you! How does it feel to be married?” Drew’s smile is wide as she rests her forearms on the table in front of her, her gaze moving from Eddie and Mia.

I don’t get to hear the answer because I feel my phone vibrate on the table next to me. I glance down to see it’s a number I don’t recognize, feeling Luke lean in closer from where he’s standing behind me to look too.

The Milwaukee area code could mean it’s from my advisor. I wouldn’t usually answer any calls for school when I’m on break, especially after how taxing the past three years of schooling have been, but I’m coming up on my final year of veterinarian school which means my rotations will be starting next month.

Starting in September, my life will consist of long hours of unpaid labor at my vet school’s teaching hospital, private practices, zoos, laboratories, government agencies—basically any place where veterinarians ply their trade—butfinallybeing able to put all of my training these past three years to use.

My advisor is supposed to call me, so we can talk through some experiences I hope to get approval for once my required rotations are scheduled.

I’m so close to being finished with school—my next step being the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination and the Wisconsin State Exam once I finishmy rotation year—and it’s hard to believe all this hard work is so close to paying off.

I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, not until I was in my third—and my last—year of college, having worked my ass off to graduate in three years. I realized I didn’t want to be a bartender forever and started Googling what jobs I could get with a biology degree.

Being a veterinarian was the only career option that stuck with me, and it was confirmed when I started volunteering at animal shelters and working with the on-site veterinarians that I realized it was what I wanted to do.

It also helped that I had such a huge support system throughout the whole process.

Not only did my friends let me vent to them when I wanted to give up and go out of their way to remind me that I was capable, they’re also amazing role models.

There’s something special about being friends like we are, being able to watch each other grow and cheer each other on along the way. I’m forever grateful to have friends who have followed me along on this journey and who have let be front row to theirs, even Luke—but I’d never admit it out loud.

Thinking how I don’t want to miss my advisor’s call, I quickly excuse myself from the group and head outside. Since Emmett closed Lenny’s for the night, knowing we would all be going to the courthouse and coming here to celebrate, we’re the only ones here.

Emmett is still looking for long-term employees since Eddie and I left. We both still help out every so often—Drew and Mia too—but with Luke leaving in a few weeks to become a partner at his father’s law firm andEmmett becoming a new dad, Lenny’s needs more employees to keep her running.

“Hello?” I say as I answer the call. The sun has just begun to set; the skin on my arms, exposed from my red jumpsuit, pebbles from the cool summer air.

“Annie Mitchell?” a gruff voice replies into my ear. “This is Lou Dominic calling.”

It takes me a second to register the name of the manager of my apartment complex.

“Oh, hi,” I answer, slightly annoyed with myself that I didn’t just let the call go to voicemail.

What could Mr. Dominic possibly need from me on a Friday night?

I pace the sidewalk outside Lenny’s, avoiding the few people who pass by.

“You live in apartment 112, correct?”

Worry begins to settle as I hear the door of Lenny’s open behind me.

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