around Ellen.
I couldn’t help but think about all the ups and downs Ellen had gone through with men. So many, she’d resorted to scanning endless profiles from Sacramento’s Detailed Dating website to try to find her perfect match. Then she’d met Henry at the most unlikely place: a dog obedience class.
For Ellen and Henry, it’d been love at first sight. Four months later they were married. Now she was having his baby. Tears filled my eyes.
I wanted to believe they would last.
Rising from my chair, I leaned over, and gave her a squeeze. “How far along are you?”
She opened her purse, pulled out a small piece of paper, and handed it to me. “Eight weeks. That’s Baby’s first ultrasound.”
Rach made a cooing sound. “So that’s why you had a doctor’s appointment yesterday. I can’t believe you didn’t tell us sooner.”
Ellen twisted a strand of her dirty-blonde hair. “Henry wanted to wait.”
I stared at the picture of what looked like a blurry, white fan, which illuminated a black oval, encasing a long clump of fuzzy white. “Your baby looks like a peanut.”
Ellen laughed. “He really does.”
Rach’s eyes widened. “He? I thought you couldn’t tell the sex for months.”
“You can’t,” I said, remembering all the pregnant couples I’d counseled, who were arguing because one person wanted to know the sex and the other didn’t.
“Kristen’s right.” Ellen gave a contented smile, then we spent the rest of lunch chatting about her baby plans, and how Henry kept massaging her feet every night despite her telling him over and over that they weren’t even swollen yet.
Henry was a sweet guy. And, in many ways, he reminded me of Ethan, who I could totally picture doting on his pregnant wife.
My mind immediately conjured up images of Ethan massaging my feet, his eyes intent and focused on me. On the walk back to the office, my imagination played more tricks on me. A picture flashed in my mind of Ethan, me, and a dark-haired little girl with mocha-brown eyes. We were on Ethan’s boat. Motoring across a lake. We were happy.
My throat tightened, thinking of all the pain I’d been through last December. Then I remembered Ethan putting the red and white life preserver around me last night, so I could rescue myself from drowning. My stomach sank.
If only they made tiny floatation devices to save the heart.
****
“Your list idea worked.” Chloe’s smile radiated, as she sat behind her desk just before five o’clock that day. “My dream had never been about a career. I’d worked hard in college and after to be able to support myself, but what I’d always dreamed of was having a family. Being with my kids and my husband is my priority. I gave notice today. We’re moving to Oregon in a month.”
“I’m really happy for you.” A warm feeling flowed through me, the kind I used to get when one of my patients had a breakthrough. “Is now a good time for me to explain what an excellent Human Resources Manager I would make?”
Chloe opened a folder, and pulled out a piece of paper. “I’ve already spoken with Rich Woodward. The job’s yours if you accept our offer.”
“Thank you.” I scanned two duplicate documents, noting the company’s expectations, the two-year commitment, and impressive salary. This was a very good opportunity with an awesome company, which was exactly what I’d been looking for. “Should I sign it now?”
“Absolutely.” She handed me a pen. “I’ll interview another temp for the reception desk, but I can have Ginger fill in if need be, so you and I can start training on Monday. I want to make this transition as smooth as possible for the company. Although . . . legally, you have three days to change your mind.”
“All right.” I signed and dated the acceptance letter, thinking about how odd her tone had been when she’d advised me of my legal rights. I handed her back one of the signed letters, thanked her again, then headed back down to
I couldn’t help but think about all the ups and downs Ellen had gone through with men. So many, she’d resorted to scanning endless profiles from Sacramento’s Detailed Dating website to try to find her perfect match. Then she’d met Henry at the most unlikely place: a dog obedience class.
For Ellen and Henry, it’d been love at first sight. Four months later they were married. Now she was having his baby. Tears filled my eyes.
I wanted to believe they would last.
Rising from my chair, I leaned over, and gave her a squeeze. “How far along are you?”
She opened her purse, pulled out a small piece of paper, and handed it to me. “Eight weeks. That’s Baby’s first ultrasound.”
Rach made a cooing sound. “So that’s why you had a doctor’s appointment yesterday. I can’t believe you didn’t tell us sooner.”
Ellen twisted a strand of her dirty-blonde hair. “Henry wanted to wait.”
I stared at the picture of what looked like a blurry, white fan, which illuminated a black oval, encasing a long clump of fuzzy white. “Your baby looks like a peanut.”
Ellen laughed. “He really does.”
Rach’s eyes widened. “He? I thought you couldn’t tell the sex for months.”
“You can’t,” I said, remembering all the pregnant couples I’d counseled, who were arguing because one person wanted to know the sex and the other didn’t.
“Kristen’s right.” Ellen gave a contented smile, then we spent the rest of lunch chatting about her baby plans, and how Henry kept massaging her feet every night despite her telling him over and over that they weren’t even swollen yet.
Henry was a sweet guy. And, in many ways, he reminded me of Ethan, who I could totally picture doting on his pregnant wife.
My mind immediately conjured up images of Ethan massaging my feet, his eyes intent and focused on me. On the walk back to the office, my imagination played more tricks on me. A picture flashed in my mind of Ethan, me, and a dark-haired little girl with mocha-brown eyes. We were on Ethan’s boat. Motoring across a lake. We were happy.
My throat tightened, thinking of all the pain I’d been through last December. Then I remembered Ethan putting the red and white life preserver around me last night, so I could rescue myself from drowning. My stomach sank.
If only they made tiny floatation devices to save the heart.
****
“Your list idea worked.” Chloe’s smile radiated, as she sat behind her desk just before five o’clock that day. “My dream had never been about a career. I’d worked hard in college and after to be able to support myself, but what I’d always dreamed of was having a family. Being with my kids and my husband is my priority. I gave notice today. We’re moving to Oregon in a month.”
“I’m really happy for you.” A warm feeling flowed through me, the kind I used to get when one of my patients had a breakthrough. “Is now a good time for me to explain what an excellent Human Resources Manager I would make?”
Chloe opened a folder, and pulled out a piece of paper. “I’ve already spoken with Rich Woodward. The job’s yours if you accept our offer.”
“Thank you.” I scanned two duplicate documents, noting the company’s expectations, the two-year commitment, and impressive salary. This was a very good opportunity with an awesome company, which was exactly what I’d been looking for. “Should I sign it now?”
“Absolutely.” She handed me a pen. “I’ll interview another temp for the reception desk, but I can have Ginger fill in if need be, so you and I can start training on Monday. I want to make this transition as smooth as possible for the company. Although . . . legally, you have three days to change your mind.”
“All right.” I signed and dated the acceptance letter, thinking about how odd her tone had been when she’d advised me of my legal rights. I handed her back one of the signed letters, thanked her again, then headed back down to
Similar Books
