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The three of us settle in to eat, and luckily, it’s not as stiff as I thought it might be. Emily keeps conversation going, and even Willow chimes in to tell me more about herself.
“Your dad showed me some pictures of you in costume,” I tell her when she mentions her last recital.
“Dance is so fun. We used to have a studio here, but it shut down and then we had to drive really far for class. But I don’t go anymore.”
Emily’s cheeks turn pink, and she gives me an embarrassed smile. “The closest studio is an hour away. It got to be too much for us to make work.”
I nod. I want to tell Willow that I could teach her some things, but I’m worried about coming on too strongly. I decide to save it for another time and talk to her about my own experiences dancing as a kid.
Before I know it, an hour has flown by, and Willow gets up and takes all three of our plates to the sink, then she runs off upstairs to get dressed and brush her teeth.
“She’s such a good kid,” I tell Emily.
Emily beams with pride. “She is, isn’t she? She’s had to grow up so fast, and she’s had her struggles along the way, but she truly is great. And I’m not just saying that because she’s mine.” Emily lowers her coffee cup and makes a face. “I’m sure all moms say that, huh?”
“I honestly wouldn’t know. I haven’t spent much time around moms—or kids.”
“Oh, really? You seem so comfortable around Willow.”
“I just want her to like me.” We both laugh, and I shrug. “I’ve devoted so much of my life to my career, and that didn’t leave me much time for friends. The ones I do have are nowhere near having children.”
“Do you have any siblings?”
I shake my head. “I’m an only child. And no cousins to speak of. No experience whatsoever, and now I’m having one of my own.”
“It’s terrifying, I know. When I got pregnant with Willow—well, you know all that already. It’s scary being in charge of an entire existence and not wanting to screw it up. And honestly, I’m not sure that fear ever goes away. One day you think you’ve finally got it all figured out, and the next, they’re throwing a curveball your way.”
She’s quiet a moment, staring at the stairs. Then she turns to me and says with such conviction, “All that matters is that you love them. That you show up for all the little things as well as the big. They couldn’t care less how many times you screw up. Just love them.”
Her words are almost a plea, and I get the feeling her meaning runs a lot deeper than what it appears on the surface.
She gets up suddenly, taking her coffee cup to the sink. She starts to rinse it and the other dishes Willow left behind. “Well, what do you think you’re getting into today?”
“That’s a really good question. It feels so weird not to have anywhere to be or anything to do.”
“Why don’t I give Indira a call? Wanna see if she wants to come over for some gossip? We can fill you in on everything you need to know about Gamble Springs.”
* * *
“Gosh, I’m so happy for some girl time.” Indira smiles wide as Emily places a glass of iced tea in front of her at the kitchen table. “I feel like it’s been forever since we’ve caught up, Em. And you two”—she points back and forth between me and Emily—“have so much to fill me in on.”
“Um, yeah,” I say. “I guess things have been a little complicated.”
Emily makes her way back toward the table with a cup of coffee and another glass of tea. She sets the glass in front of me. “Try this. It’s peppermint. I know the candies have been helping with your morning sickness, so I thought you could give this a shot too.”
“Thank you.” I take a drink. “Oh, yum.”
“It’s good, right?” Emily settles into her chair between me and Indira. “I hope it helps.”
“Yes, morning sickness. Great lead-in.” Indira eyes me patiently.
Emily finishes a sip of coffee with a wince. “God, that’s hot. Ouch.” She turns to me as she sets her mug down. “Addison, I apologize for my nosy friend. Feel free to tell her to mind her business.”
“Ugh, you’re right.” Indira looks chagrined. “I’m so sorry. Let me start over. Hi, Addison. It’s really great to see you again. How are you liking Gamble Springs?”
I chuckle and wave my hand. “You’re fine.”
“I hope it’s okay that I told her,” Emily says. “I was just trying toprocess things and needed someone to talk to about it.”
