“The school is offering distance, so we are taking them up on that. We have too many weakened bodies around here to risk the exposure.” Her fingertips traced the line of her belly. She wasn’t big yet, but the bulge was more pronounced than she could recall ever being with her eldest son. “Did I tell you it’s a boy?”
“No, you didn’t! How wonderful! Is he going to be Gerald Junior?”
Candy cringed. “Not if I can help it. I still can’t believe I’m due on Christmas Day.” Her voice quavered, exposing her apprehension.
“Oh, come on, girlfriend. Don’t be like that. Christmas has been really good to you these last few years.”
“I know. That’s why I’m waiting for the one that will get me.” Candy laughed loudly, hearing the words that sounded so absurd, even to her own ears. Inhaling deeply, she continued to rub as if caressing the tiny body inside her. Exhaling her breath through puckered lips, she tried again. “I’m in a good place. Our family is well, and we can do this.”
“That’s my girl,” Cathy rallied. “How was registration? I’ll be so glad when we both finally finish.”
“All online. They offered an in-person lab, but I changed to another course to avoid it. Maybe I’ll take it in the spring, or even next fall if we have to wait that long for the pandemic to end.”
“It will end,” her friend assured. “We just have to be strong and do what we should until the vaccine is here and ready.”
Candy rolled her eyes. “This is all we ever talk about these days.” All anyone talks about.
“Well, I’m trying to talk about something else. Are you guys making plans for Joy’s birthday yet? I know it’s still six weeks out, but it can’t hurt to have a plan.”
Candy sighed loudly. “Yes, we are going to have a small gathering of the bubble, and send a Zoom link to those who want to join us.” Everything leads back to the quarantine.
“Oh, Candy,” Cathy lamented. “I know this is hard. We really are going to get through these uncertain times. I promise.”
“I know. Hey!” Candy sat straight up, remembering more news to share. “Carol said it would be ok if you wanted to come and join the bubble for the big event. They are only letting one person in the hospital, though, so you’ll have to fight Gary for the role of support person.”
Giggling filled the air of the living room, and for a moment both girls forgot about the months of stress. Catching her breath, Candy’s best friend soothed, “I’ll think about it,” knowing full well she would never even attempt to depose Gary from his rightful position. “Right now, I have to worry about this semester. You would think learning online should somehow be easier, but I swear it was twice as hard. I need to get things in order if I’m going to have a successful semester.”
“Me too,” Candy sighed, returning to the moment. “Thanks, Cathy.”
“For what, babe?”
“For being my friend, even with all my little issues.” Candice Ford made light of her mental state, fully aware of the burden it sometimes placed on others. “It means a lot that you’re here for me.”
“It means a lot to me, too,” Cathy stated firmly. “You have my number, so make sure you call me with any and all news —good and bad.”
“I will. Bye,” Candy sniffed, quickly cutting off the device before the sound of her tears reached the other side.
“Are you ok?” Carol asked.
Candy jumped at the voice, her phone sliding off her lap and becoming wedged between the cushions. “I thought you were shopping,” she snapped as she rummaged around to retrieve it.
“I just got home,” Caroline explained as she set down a large bag. “I guess you didn’t hear me come in or see me in the driveway.” She dropped it there, aware Candy was still her boss and under no obligation to help carry the groceries.
“I must have blanked it out.” Pulling out the Android, she made sure the call had properly ended. “I was talking to Cathy.”
“I heard,” Carol snipped. “Is she going to come and join our bubble?”
“She doesn’t know yet. She’s got a class that meets in person, I think.” Getting to her feet, Candy joined the taller woman in the kitchen and began to help unpack the groceries. Above them, the ceiling creaked, followed by the sound of tiny feet pattering across the floor of her room.
A smile spreading across her face, Candy called over her shoulder as she started up the stairs, “I got it.”
Watching her disappear, Caroline chuckled to herself. She had overheard the tail end of the phone call and had to agree, Candy had her issues and being pregnant didn’t help them, but Joylana could always put her employer in a better mood.
Picking up one of the sacks, Caroline flicked on the light and opened the door to the basement to head below.
2
Birthday Girl
“Whoa-ho-ho,” Gerald Ford sang out as he entered the kitchen. On his shoulders sat his princess, her ebony hands pressed against his head as she held on, the air filled with peals of laughter.
Sitting at the table, a fat crayon in his hand, Dakota cackled, “Joy’ana ridin’.”
“She sure is,” Candy agreed. “Wanna help momma clear off the table for the cake?”
Slapping the book closed, color still inside, Daks leapt to his feet without a reply. Instead, he scooped up everything he could carry and darted into Lanelle’s room. “Wake up, Mimi! It’s cake!” he announced to the prone figure beneath her blankets.
“I’m awake,” Candy’s mother slurred.
Entering from the adjoining bath, Holly advised, “Daks, put your things on the round table, please. Lanelle, let me help you into your bath before we do the cake.” Providing leverage, they got her up into a sitting position and she added, “There we go.”
From the doorway, Candy watched the process. Her hand resting on her belly, she fought to stifle her fears, choosing to focus on the happy occasion. Her mother’s health loomed like a dark cloud that constantly hovered in the back of her mind, but today it would not get the better of her if she could help it.
“I’ve got the cake,” Carol offered as she applied a damp rag to the tabletop. “Who wants to set up the Zoom?”
For a moment, everyone paused, their eyes darting around at one another.
“Not me.” Ben laughed. “I’m holding down this chair.” He folded his hands on the flat surface, ready to face them down.
Finally, Candy rolled her eyes and sighed in an exaggerated fashion, “Fine. I’ll get the laptop.” For the most part, it was Gary’s family who would be joining them via the connection, but she knew he deserved time with Joy. Not really a chore, he reveled in tending to her, especially on her second birthday.
Placing the squirming toddler in her highchair, Gary beamed. He had been at the station the day her birth mother had left her in their secured box. He had been the one to unwrap her frail body and discovered the handwritten note penned by the woman who knew letting Joy go gave her a better chance at life. A better life he would do everything in his power to fulfill. “Thanks, Kitten,” he murmured to Candy as she moved past them. His wife had been less gracious about his wanting to adopt than he could have hoped but, knowing her emotional challenges, he felt grateful she had made the choice, even if she didn’t enjoy it.