Page 33 of The Lookback

“I’ll take Althea,” Beth says. “You should probably go now, don’t you think?”

“I’ll take the munchkins home,” Ethan says. “Come on, guys.”

“But I haven’t even eaten my cheese stick,” Gabe says. “Plus, I want to ask Aunt Helen about the elephants.” His head swivels. “I know you said all this stuff is expensive, but I really want them.” His eyes are wide. “And you have a lot of stuff already. Way more than me.”

“Why would you want those?” Helen asks. “They’re even worse than the giraffe.”

“The giraffe is awesome too.” Gabe’s sigh is one of defeat after a long-fought battle. “But Mom said it’s too big for my room.”

“I’ll think about it,” Helen says.

Gabe shoves the entire cheese stick in his mouth, barely able to talk around it. “Fine.” He nods. “You do that.” He grabs a bag that looks pretty heavy and slings the straps up and over his shoulders.

“Dude, what’s in that bag?” Whitney asks. “You left your school bag at home.” She reaches for the top of the bag.

Gabe yanks it away. “Paws off, greedy. These are my old books. I brought them to read in case it gets boring again while the adults talk.”

“Old books?” Izzy asks. “The last time you had something old?—”

“I didn’t take these. They were being thrown out. Leave me alone.” Gabe’s face is all scrunched up, like he’s getting ready to bite her hand.

Abby hangs up the phone. “Alright, I told Will we’ll meet him there. Why don’t you come with me?” She points at my bag. “Is that for Althea? Or should I put it in my car?”

Helen bends over and grabs my purse before I can. “I’ll drive. My car’s way faster.”

“You said you have a meeting.” Abby frowns.

“This is more important,” Helen says. “I’m coming.”

Abby blinks, but doesn’t argue, and if she can get me there faster. . .

I’m climbing into the front seat of Helen’s sleek sports car when Will calls. “Baby time?” His voice is breathy, like he’s out jogging.

“Are you alright?” I ask.

“I just met the bus—I have Aiden, and Mom’s on her way. I’ll go throw some things in a bag for you, and then once she’s here, I’ll head out.”

“Don’t forget to bring my toothbrush, my soft pajamas, and my slippers.” But then a contraction hits, and I groan. “I’ll text you with a list.”

“You have that stuff in a bag already. Don’t stress. I might even get there before you,” Will says.

“Helen’s driving,” I say. “I doubt it.”

I expect him to laugh, but he doesn’t. “That’s not a good idea. She’s not a safe driver.”

“Oh, stop,” I say. “She’s fast, but she’s safe. German engineering and all that.”

“I can’t believe you just said that,” Will says. “My Camaro?—”

“Alright,” Abby says from the back seat, her face leaned forward near my ear. “Domestic cars are the best, and I swear I’ll make sure Helen is as safe as anyone can be.”

“You be safe too, Mister Domestic-Cars-Rule. Your son will want to meet you, and it’ll help if you’re still in one piece.” I’m smiling when I hang up the phone. I wanted to ask Abby about Althea, but there’s no way I’m doing that with Helen-the-baby-hater in the car.

I breathe through yet another quick contraction—they seem awfully fast—and then my phone rings again. “Hey,” Beth says. “Do you have Thea’s paci?”

I rummage around and find it in my purse. It’s an effort not to swear again. “There’s a spare in the bottom of that green bin,” I say.

“But she doesn’t like those as well, right?” Beth asks.

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