“Perfect.” She grins to the three of us. “I’m assuming you’ve both signed on as coaches?”
“That we have,” Noah is quick to say. “And I’m looking forward to it.”
Everett nods. “As am I.” He looks my way. “You’re going to do great, Lemon.”
“I hope so.” I shudder at the thought of going through so much pain. “Women have been giving birth since the beginning of time, right?” I look to Dr. Barnette for some encouraging words of comfort.
“True,” she says. “But for each woman, the first time is the first time. Birth can be a very painful, stressful, bloody event.”
“Gee, thanks.” I shoot her a look.
She gives a quick blink. “Lottie, have you seen a live birth?”
“Well, no. I mean, Keelie and Lainey both had their babies last August. And Noah delivered Keelie’s baby, but by the time I got there, he was already holding him in his hands. And I wasn’t in the room when Lainey actually delivered. I was there for some of it, but then I stepped out to use the restroom and out popped Josie.” I shrug.
“Well, since you and Essex haven’t been privy to it yet, I suggest you watch some live births. They have an entire slew on the internet, but I have a few I recommend.”
Yes, Dr. Barnette has earned the right to call Everett by his proper moniker, but even though they’ve been intimate, I don’t hold it against her. She’s just another in a long line of women, and I’ve made peace with that.
“I’ll shoot you the link, Lottie.”
“Perfect,” I say, looking to Everett and Noah. “Maybe we can pick up some Wicked Wok and watch after dinner? I can whip up some waffles for dessert.”
“Sounds like a winning combination to me,” Everett says as he helps me sit up. “Can’t wait.”
Noah and Dr. Barnette share a smile that suggests they’re in on something, and I have a hunch they are.
I already know I won’t like what I see tonight, but ready or not, this baby is going to make its debut in March—and I choose to be ready.
Now to stuff my face with Chinese food and forget about my troubles for a little while.
Flo bounces through my mind and that entire debacle concerning her corpse.
On second thought, my worries are rather hard to forget.
In keeping with the plan, we quickly load up on buckets of Wicked Wok.
I may have forcefully yet lovingly made sure Everett ordered twice as much as we usually do, but only because I’m so hungry I almost ate the receipts in my purse on the way home. Teaches me to leave the house without enough fried pickles to last the day. I had a couple of chocolate croissants and a few cheese Danishes in my lunch sack today, and I still was ravenous by the time we hit Country Cottage Road, the cute little street we live on.
Evie and Carlotta join us for the feast while Pancake and Waffles, my sweet cats, along with Noah’s golden retriever, Toby, watch from the sofa.
“I’m so glad the case is finally over,” I say to Evie. “Now we can focus on going out and getting our nails done and setting up hair appointments and maybe buying some pretty baubles to go with your dress. When is the Winter Formal again, anyway?”
“Tomorrow.” She shrugs. “And I’m painting my nails myself and doing my own hair.”
Carlotta chuckles. “I like how you weren’t so quick to dismiss the baubles kid. How about you and I take Grandpa Bentley’s American Express Black Card and head to the jewelers first thing in the morning? There’s nothing like a little jewel heist to start the day off right. You’ll want to load up on options, you know. I can hold your discards for you. I look particularly good in rubies.”
Evie snorts. “You’re a riot, Carlotta. But Glam Glam lent me a few pieces from her collection. I settled on a thin gold chain with a heart dangling from it. She said Grandpa Joseph gave it to her, and she wanted to give it to me so that I would feel more connected to the Lemons.”
My chest bucks as I fight back tears. “That’s so beautiful.” I sniff. “Evie, I can’t wait to help you get ready for the dance.”
“Oh, I’m not getting ready here.” She says here as if the house were infested with rat feces. “We’re having a getting ready party at Dash’s house. And don’t worry. Her mom is taking pictures and texting them to all the parents.” She rolls her eyes as if the thought were annoying.
Everett frowns at the idea. “I was looking forward to seeing you in your dress.”
“And you will,” she assures as she dumps the rest of the Kung Pao shrimp onto her plate. “That is, if you’re still awake when I get home. But it’s going to be late. Like, four or five in the morning.”
“What?” Everett’s fork slips from his fingers. “Evie, I’m positive they’ll close the gym down far before that.”
“The dance isn’t at the gym, Dad.” Evie scoffs as she glances at the ceiling. “It’s at the Evergreen Manor. And once it’s through, the whole senior and junior class is renting a couple of conjoining rooms so we can party upstairs.”
“No way,” Everett and I say in unison.
Noah chuckles. “I believe that’s what we did way back when.”
Everett growls over at him, “You are not helping.”
“That’s because he gets it.” Evie nods his way. “Thank you, Uncle Noah. At least someone around here knows what it’s like to have a good time.”
Carlotta grunts as she does her best to swallow down a mouthful of teriyaki chicken.
“Evie Stevie, I get you, girl. I invented having a good time. Why, I rented a room myself after prom. How do you think your mama got here?”
Everett looks as if he’s vibrating with a silent rage. “Evie, that is exactly why you can’t go up to some hotel room after the dance.”
Evie leans his way. “Are you that afraid I’m going to pump out a kid in nine months? Have a little faith in me, Dad.”
“I have plenty of faith you, Evie. It’s Conner and Kyle I don’t trust. And believe me, if I get a whiff of them trying anything, they won’t live to see senior year.”
“Now, now.” Noah shakes his head at Everett. “Let’s keep the homicidal threats to a minimum tonight.”
“Don’t worry, Uncle Noah”—Evie’s nostrils flare, and if I’m not mistaken, I think I just saw flames shooting out of them as well— “I’m well aware that Dad is a barbarian.” She looks to Everett. “After the dance ends, I think I’ll be spending the night at Uncle Noah’s. That way you won’t have to worry about me waking you up when I come in.” She winks at Noah. “Uncle Noah understands what it’s like to be young.”
Everett’s chest expands a notch. “And he understands what it means to be irresponsible. You’re coming home after the dance or I’ll pick you up at the Evergreen myself.”
“AAARGGH!” Evie howls with all the drama a sixteen-year-old who happens to be angry with her father can afford.
“Okay.” I stand. “I think I’ll whip up some waffles. Evie, would you like to help?”