Page 28 of Can't Win 'Em All
“I don’t know,” I replied, giving it some serious thought. “What sort of theme might I like?”
“You could do baby’s first strip show,” Opal suggested as she held up what looked to be a disco ball mobile.
I burst out laughing. It had been a few days since I dropped the bomb on my sisters. Just as anticipated, they’d hopped on the auntie express fairly quickly. My mother was still making squawking noises. Pearl and Opal were suddenly excited, however.
“That’s actually kind of cute,” I said after a beat.
“I think it’s adorable too.” Opal bobbed her head. “I’ve been reading up, though, and that might be too much stimulation for a newborn.” She put the mobile back. “Some people say simple black and white designs are best at the start.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You’ve been reading up?” Leave it to my sister to go that route. Of course, I’d gone that route too. It was expected of me, though.
She shrugged. “What can I say? I like to know things.”
“Of course you do.” I shook my head and wandered over to the cribs. “These things are expensive.”
“They are,” Pearl agreed. “I didn’t realize they were this expensive.” She lifted her chin. “Doesn’t this price sound outrageous for something they only sleep in for a short period of time?”
“Yes, but what are the other options? You can’t make the baby sleep on the floor.”
“Can’t you? We’ll get a fluffy bed and put some blankets on it. Then we’ll shove it in the corner.”
“Like a cat bed?” I prodded when she smiled, assuming she’d made a smart suggestion.
Her smile disappeared in an instant. “Huh. Have you considered that maybe it would’ve been smarter to get a cat? It definitely would’ve been easier.”
I pinned her with a dark look. “I don’t need the judgment.”
“I’m not judging you. I’m just saying that a baby is a big deal.”
“And you’re intent on doing it alone,” Opal said as she joined the fray. “Don’t you think that’s just a little bit—I don’t know—crazy?”
“Was this shopping trip just a ruse to give me a hard time?” Suddenly, I was tired. I’d spent the better part of the morning puking but had bounced back relatively quickly. Now I just wanted to go back to bed.
“No.” Opal was solemn as she regarded me. “Not even a little. I just … it’s just … your life is never going to be the same, Ruby.”
Did she think I didn’t know that? “I’m well aware.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
I shrugged. “I knew I was looking for something else before I found out about the baby. When I took the home pregnancy tests—all four of them—I was freaking out. By the time the doctor confirmed what I already knew, I’d already come to accept it.”
“You’ve yet to say this is what you want,” Pearl pointed out. “You still have time to change your mind if it’s not what you want.”
Opal pinned her with a dark look. “We agreed to softly ease into this discussion. Why do you always have to be like a bull in a China shop?”
Pearl shrugged. “It’s my way. I can’t help it.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Opal waved her off before focusing on me. “We’re not telling you what to do. We’re not even lodging an opinion on what we think is the right thing to do.”
“Um … I didn’t agree to that,” Pearl argued.
Opal murdered her with a glare. “Shut your hole for once.” Her expression was kind when she turned back to me. “We just want you to have all of your options.”
“I appreciate it.” I meant it. “The thing is, I want this baby.” It was the first time I’d said it out loud. Or, well, phrased it this exact way. What a relief it was to get that off my chest, though.
“For real?” Opal cocked her head. “I thought for sure you were keeping it out of guilt.”
“No.” I held out my hands. “I’ve been at loose ends for what feels like a really long time. When Dad was in charge, having a family seemed like a bad idea. Since he’s been ousted, the possibilities are limitless.
