Page 15 of The Space He Left
The other women quickly agreed, but I could still see them processing this information, their expressions a mixture of admiration for Jack's loyalty and a quiet, unspoken worry for me.
"Well," said Rowena finally, "we'll plan the shower for a time when he's most likely to be available. Maybe we should avoid treatment days?"
"Madison's treatment days are Tuesdays and Fridays," I said automatically, then immediately regretted sharing such specific information about Madison's schedule. I might not know the woman, but I wouldn't want strangers knowing the ins and outs of my hospital appointments. Then again, I lived in a small town where everyone knew everyone's business.
"Perfect," said Lisa, making a note. "Saturday the 15th, it is then. That way, Jack can definitely be there."
But even as she wrote it down, I caught the looks passing between the women. The careful way they were navigating around Jack's absence, the gentle acknowledgment that my husband's availability had become something that needed to be planned around.
"What about decorations?" asked Jennifer, clearly trying to move the conversation to safer ground. "Any particular theme?"
We spent the next hour planning decorations, menu options, and games. The women were excited, generous with their time and ideas. But underneath the celebration, I could feel their careful attention to my situation, their awareness that something was off about my pregnancy experience.
When the meeting ended, I walked back through the main bar area, feeling the weight of the evening's conversations settling on my shoulders. My friends had been kind, excited about the baby shower, but I could sense the tension around Jack's absence.
Sam looked up from behind the bar as I approached, immediately noticing my exhaustion.
"You look beat," he said, setting down the glass he was cleaning. "I thought baby shower planning was supposed to be exciting."
"Just tired. Baby's been active tonight." I rubbed my lower back, trying to ease the ache that had been building throughout the evening.
"Hey, Mark!" Sam called one of his bartenders. "Can you handle things for the rest of the night? I need to step out."
"Sure thing, boss."
I watched in surprise as Sam grabbed his keys and jacket. "Sam, you don't have to—"
"I'm driving you home," he said firmly. "You're exhausted, and I'm not letting you drive when you can barely keep your eyes open."
"I'm fine to drive."
"I'm sure you are. But you don't have to." He came around the bar and gently took my elbow. "Come on. We can get your car tomorrow."
The kindness in his voice almost broke me. I was so tired of having to be fine all the time, so tired of handling everything alone these last few weeks. "Thank you," I whispered.
Sam's truck was warm and comfortable, and I found myself relaxing for the first time all evening.
"The girls seem excited about the shower," he said, breaking the comfortable silence.
"They are. They're being so thoughtful about everything."
"They care about you, Harper. We all do."
I nodded, not trusting my voice to speak. The simple act of being taken care of, of having someone notice my exhaustion and respond to it, felt overwhelming. Pregnancy emotions were getting the better of me.
"If you need anything," Sam said as he pulled into my driveway, "anything, you call me, okay? I mean it."
"Sam—"
"I know Jack's trying to do the right thing with Madison. But you're going through something important too, and you shouldn't have to do it alone. You don't have to do it alone. We are all here for you."
The words were so similar to what Lisa had said, but coming from Jack's best friend, they felt different. More protective, more immediate.
"Thank you," I said again. "For everything. The mocktail, the ride home, letting us use the bar..."
"Anytime."
I stood just inside the door and watched him drive away, feeling grateful for his friendship and support. The house felt less empty knowing that Sam was looking out for me, that I had someone I could count on when Jack wasn't there.
