Page 35 of With Every Breath

“I’m good with that.” I laughed. “Let’s go.” I waved my arm for them to join me as I began jogging around the field. I was exhausted, but something about doing this made the tiredness melt away. When I was in my element, it were as if I had endless energy. I didn’t even realize we’d put in four laps until one of the kids began to whine about how much running we were doing for a warm-up.

We practiced passing drills and shooting drills before I divided the team for a scrimmage. By the time practice was over, I actually felt great. “Wanna duel?” I grinned at Madi. Dueling was a game we’d invented in high school. It was basically one on one, but with soccer.

“On a full field?” She grimaced. Madi didn’t like the running as much as I did.

“Are you chicken?” I teased.

“No, I’m tired, and you should be, too.” She rolled her eyes.

“Come on,” I whined.

“Fine.” She huffed as she took a sip of water and grabbed a ball, dribbling it out to the center of the field. “I’ll go easy on you since you’ve missed the last few days.”

“Why? I’m not going easy on you,” I teased as I passed the ball back to her. “Come on. Try and keep it from me.” I got in position to strike as she attempted to get around me. Defense was Madi’s strong point, and I’d always played offense, but that’s not to say that we weren’t pretty equally matched. Our skill set was what made us great teammates. We complemented each other rather than competing for the top spot.

When Madi moved left I dodged her, sweeping my foot out and capturing the ball. Her head dropped in frustration as I dribbled around her, and kicked a goal from well outside the box. “I wasn’t ready.” She groaned as I began dribbling back to center field.

“Ready now?” I passed the ball, waiting for her to pass back to me. “Huh?” I giggled as the ball made contact with my cleat. “Are you ready? Come and get it!” I shouted as I faked left, and went right. It was a signature move, and I was surprised she didn’t use that knowledge to her advantage. I could hear her panting as she ran behind me. I was faster, that was the one place she couldn’t get on me, but Madi’s footwork was top notch. “Come on!” I laughed as I rushed for the home stretch. I set up for a long shot, and that’s when she made her move. I wasn’t paying attention, and as soon as I pulled back, she swept her leg under me taking control, and rushing down the field. If I wasn’t exhausted, I could have caught her, but a burst of energy on her part sent her flying and the ball sailing. It swished in the goal, and she spun, arms raised above her head in victory.

“Yes, I’m ready now!” She gasped to catch her breath. “Can we go get food now? I’m starving.” She laughed as she flung her arm around my shoulders.

“I’m kinda hungry too, and craving pickles.” I pinched up my face. I hated pickles, but right now they sounded like the best food in the world.

“Sure. Pickles.” Madi laughed as we headed over to grab our things. “I’ll meet you at Sam’s.” Sam’s was a sandwich shop we’d found during college. They had the best sandwiches, and always offered you a pickle spear on the side. Today though, I was thinking I might forgo the sandwich and just get the pickles.

ooooooooo

“I can’t believe you’re actually going to eat that.” Madi made a gagging face.

“It’s so good,” I mumbled around the bite I’d just taken. I had to admit, she had a point, but this baby didn’t share the same favorites as me. I’d asked the guy at the counter to give me a sandwich made with mayo, pickles, and potato chips. The look he’d given me said I was as nuts as Madi thought I was, but when I bit into this thing, it tasted like heaven.

“I’m telling Dex to not let you shop. No telling what you’ll be feeding him.” She started laughing, and it was like she couldn’t stop. Tears trickled down her cheeks as she stared at the sandwich. “Please tell me you have real food at home.”

“We do, but baby bean doesn’t like it. She makes me throw up every time I eat normal.” I took another bite as if I hadn’t just admitted out loud that I hoped this baby was a girl.

“She?” Madi’s face softened.

“I don’t know. I hope so.” My voice lifted in this dreamlike lilt as I pictured all the things I’d been dreaming about lately. “I just want to give her what I didn’t get… a healthy childhood.” I touched my stomach affectionately. “I think about the wishes I have… that she loves soccer or writing like Dex; that she has our free spirit, a sense of adventure, a love for the beach. There’s so much I want for her, but most of all for her to be healthy.”

“What if it’s a boy?” Madi giggled.

“I want the same things for him. I just feel like it’s a girl. There’s something deep inside me telling me this.” I sipped my diet soda. “I can’t explain it, it’s just there.”

“Well, I for one, am just excited to be an aunt. I can’t wait to spoil this baby whether it be a boy or a girl. I’m going to have fun either way.” She bounced a little and then made the gagging face as I finished my sandwich. I sat back in the booth and rubbed my stomach. I whispered quietly that I’d given her what she wanted, and to be nice and not make me throw up again. Madi laughed and basically told me that if this baby was anything like me, I’d have little to no say in what she wanted. I had to give her props; I was stubborn. Hopefully, this baby had Dex’s temperament in that department.

Chapter 17

Bailey

Today has been a day… a day I wouldn’t wish on anyone. It started out great. It was the first morning in a week that I didn’t puke right after breakfast. It gave me hope that maybe I was getting past that. I’d been to the doctor the day before for my first OB exam. They took my blood pressure, weighed me, and did a blood draw. The doctor assured me that everything was routine, and to relax. I’ve never liked doctors, and with good reason.

When I climbed out of bed this morning, I noticed a bruise on my leg that I hadn’t noticed the day before. I’m guessing it was from practice. It didn’t hurt, but it looked terrible. I’ve been really tired since this pregnancy started, and I honestly thought that once I started sleeping better, it would help. Dex decided to work from home today, and I’ve been vegging on the couch with Netflix. It’s nice out, and I thought about taking a walk. It was then that the doctor called.

“Hello?” I yawned into the phone.

“Mrs. Slone, we need you to come into the office this afternoon if you can.” The voice on the other end sounded worried.

“I was there yesterday. Dr. Pratt said everything looked good, normal.” I started to worry about the baby, my hand instinctively going to my flat stomach.

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