Page 60 of Home Run

“So take an umbrella,” she replied.

We turned onto Fifth Avenue, and as we pulled up outside Bergdorf Goodman, with its signature black awnings and arched display windows, an immaculately dressed woman rushed out to greet us.

“Ms. Simpson,” she said, holding her hand out to Holiday. “Welcome to Bergdorf Goodman, we’re honored to have you here. I’m Cynthia.”

I’d never seen Holiday inHolidaymode. Not the one the public thought she was, the pristine, American princess. It wasn’t too different from the Holiday we saw at home, butthere was a rigidity and extra polish to her as she smiled brightly and shook the woman’s hand.

“Thank you so much, Cynthia,” she replied, “and these are my friends, Millie and Radley. We’re all very excited.”

It was barely noticeable, but the woman’s eyes flared as they landed on Radley before darting to the side where Jake and Ethan were discreetly standing.

“It’s a pleasure. Please, ladies, follow me. You have the store to yourself for two hours. Is there anywhere you’d like to start?”

Holiday looked at me, silently asking for permission to share my news.

“If you could point me in the direction of the maternity department, that would be great.”

“And we’re going with her,” added Radley.

“I’ll take you up there now.” She smiled, the practiced smile of someone who’d be serving customers all day long. “And for your convenience, all your purchases today will be boxed up and shipped to your home.”

We headed toward the escalator, making our way through perfume and beauty, and along the floors filled with couture, shoes, bags, dedicated designer stores, and the staff readying the space for the day. I could feel my pulse calming with each flight passed, until we reached the top, that is.

“Oh my god.”

Baby paraphernalia was everywhere.

Strollers, bouncers, car seats.

Play areas filled with giant stuffed animals and beautifully structured (but tiny) tables and chairs. Bookshelves.

And I don’t think I’d ever seen so many baby clothes. Ipicked up the tiniest little onesie covered in ducks and immediately put it back down again. I didn’t know anything came so small.

“That’s socute.” Radley’s entire face scrunched up. “And look at these.” She ran her hand over a rack of onesies covered in baby animals before pulling the bunny one out and holding it up.

I didn’t blink.

This was everything I had yet to think about. I’d only just come around to the idea of new clothing, but all of this—everything as far as the eye could see—was something I’d have to buy over the next six months. Sooner, even. And then a baby would arrive. A tiny baby I’d have full responsibility over.

There was a valid argument to say that considering I was pregnant at twenty-one and still in school, I couldn’t even take responsibility for myself.

“Mills, you okay?” Holiday turned around from where she’d been talking to Cynthia.

“There’s so much,” I whispered, my eyes falling on the section dedicated to breast pumps. I didn’t even know there was more than onetypeof breast pump.

She walked back to where I was glued to the spot. “I know, but today is about you, not the baby. Cynthia says clothing is over there.” She pointed in the far distance and looped her arm around my shoulder. “Let’s move past this section quickly.”

“But it’s all stuff I’m going to have to think about.”

“And we can think about all of it together, but let’s do it tomorrow. Better yet, let my brother do it. And you enjoy today before you get overwhelmed.”

“Okay,” I replied, trying hard to stop my head from exploding. “Take me to the clothes.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Have you ever tried shopping with someone who knows exactly what to wear because she’s spent years being sent the best clothes and fitted for the best events? It’s both immensely helpful and exhausting. I’d always loved shopping, but thirty minutes in and I’d come to realize I wasn’t ashopper. Not like Holiday, who shopped with military precision and an expert eye. Even Radley escaped at some point after the first hour to go shopping on her own.

I must have tried on a thousand different items of clothing. I didn’t even know what I’d said yes or no to. Though in reality Holiday had decided for me. I simply showed her what I was wearing while she passed me something else to try as she sipped champagne that Cynthia had brought us (I’d been given something nonalcoholic).

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