Page 43 of Kiss My Glass
“What I wanted to run by you all,” he says, “is whether we should have the big party this year or hold off because Shelby might be giving birth in the middle of it. Well, she’ll be in hospital, but you know what I mean.”
“You can’t hold off,” says Shelby, immediately. “It’s been a community event for ever. Everybody loves it, and everybodycomes.”
I get the feeling they’ve already talked about this and not come to any agreement, hence Nate bringing in the rest of us.
“They come because of you,” says Nate. “The way they came because of your dad. And if you’re having a baby, I’ll be with you, and so will your mom and”—he glances at me—“whoever else in your family can be there. There’ll be no Armstrongs at the crush at all.”
“But everyone will still want to help out.” Shelby’s not giving in easily. “Jordan, Chiara, and Ava have already started making plans for it. They’ll besodisappointed. Won’t you, Ava?”
“A little,” says Ava. “But I’m family, too, and Jordan and Chiara are your two best friends. We’ll all want to be there for the birth, so I’m not sure who’d be running the event.”
“I’m not sure that many people can fit in a birthing suite,” says Nate. “Orin the hospital waiting room. You might have to set up a marquee in the parking lot.”
“Argh.” Shelby claps her hands over her face, then peers at us over the tips of her fingers. “Okay! But can we please keep planning until we absolutely have to pull the plug. I don’t think I could bear it if we could have had a party but didn’t just because of me.”
Nate looks around the table. We all either shrug or nod.
“All right,” he says. “Crush is on until we make the call. But we’ll have to warn everyone that it might not happen, otherwise there’ll be a community uprising.”
“We’ll handle that,” says Ava. “Jordan, Chiara, and me. We’ll spread the word and calm any ruffled feathers.”
“You’ve never calmed a ruffled feather in your life!” protests Danny. “You’re the one who causes the ruffling!”
“Name in the jar, Danny,” I say.
“It’s the truth!” Danny objects.
“Also an unprovoked personal attack,” I say, firmly. “Name in the jar.”
Danny gives me a look like I should be on his side. But I’m standing firm. About this, at least. He writes his name on a slip of paper with bad grace and shoves it in the jar.
“One each for you and me,” says Ava, delighted. “Game on!”
“Okay – time to go to work.” Cam stands up and starts collecting plates. “Thanks for breakfast, Shelby.”
“Thank you, Shelby,” we chorus.
Danny’s pulled out his phone, probably so he doesn’t have to look up and say goodbye to his sister, who’s being hustled out the door by Cam. I sympathize, but he’s got to stop letting Ava rile him up.
Like I have to stop letting Mom rile me up, which she does even when she’s hundreds of miles away. Can’t be a hypocrite now, can I? Although, as we all know, advice is a lot easier to give than to receive.
Nate’s asking Shelby to go and sit down, saying he’ll deal with the dishes. She wraps her arms around him and hugs him tight, or as tight as her baby bump will allow. He kisses her tenderly and then tells her to scoot and take a load off. She heads towards us, her whole face aglow with love. I feel that weird twinge in my gut again. My sister’s so happy, and she’s about to become a mother. I can only begin to imagine what that must feel like. Exhilarating and terrifying, peaceful and chaotic, overwhelming and purposeful – all the contradictory emotions all at once.
I glance at Danny to see that he’s also watching Nate and Shelby. Maybe thinking the same thoughts as I am? Or maybe I’m the only person who struggles this much trying to work out what I want from life?
“So, what are you two planning for today?” says Shelby, as she joins us again at the table. “Nate and I have to go into Martinburg for my check-up, so that’s our fun time sorted.”
Danny says, “As it happens, I’ve just got a message from a guy outside of Verity who’s got a car I might want to buy. Thought I might head out there mid-afternoon, maybe stop off for a quick drink at The Silver Saddle on my way back.”
He looks my way. “Want to come with me?”
His mouth’s curved in a small hesitant smile, and I sense an olive branch being offered. Unlike me, Danny doesn’t stay mad for long. Suddenly, I realize why. Danny’s instinct is always to connect, whereas mine is always to separate and create distance. Emotional and physical.
Weirdly, knowing this makes me want to say “yes” all the more. In fact, I’m alarmed by how much I want to go with him.
I check with Shelby. “Is that alright with you? I’ll be back for ourGilmore Girlsbinge-watch. And how about I bring burgers home, seeing it’s my turn to cook?”
“Promise?” she says. “It’ll be the only thing I have to look forward to all day.”
