Page 59 of Forever Christmas
“I’ll sit inback with Dad,” Corabelle says. She opens the door and scoots in next to her father.
“Look at that belly!” Mr. Rotheford says.
“You look lovely,” Mrs. Rotheford cuts in, sending a nasty glare at her husband. “How do you feel?”
“Fine!” she says. “Tina’s baby is like a little doll. Only six pounds!”
“Full term?” Mrs. Rotheford asks. She holds on to her seat belt strap as I head out of the parkinglot.
“Past due,” Corabelle says. “Week late.”
“And still so small?” her mom asks.
“Tina is tiny.”
After that, everyone is quiet as we drive to the hotel where the Rothefords are staying. Our apartment only has one bedroom. Which we’ll have to fix before the baby gets too big. I guess he can sleep in our room. We’re three months out. We should probably buy some things.
We park and walk intothe hotel together. Mr. Rotheford heads to the desk to check in.
“What time is the sonogram tomorrow?” her mom asks.
“We’ll pick you up at 9:30,” Corabelle says.
“You sure we shouldn’t get a rental?”
“Mom, you already gave us your car. Don’t rent another.” Corabelle’s face is tired. It’s been a long day for her.
“Okay, darling.”
I’m glad she’s on board with doing things Corabelle’s way.She’s about to see firsthand how hard a time Corabelle is having with the pregnancy and her fear.
We don’t stay long in the room. I need to get Corabelle home, make sure she’s eaten, and let her sleep. Tomorrow is a big day, again. It feels like every doctor’s appointment is full of angst, another cliffhanger in this pregnancy that already feels like it will never end.
