“ARE YOU SURE YOU’LL BE OKAY GOING TO the doctor by yourself?” Mrs. Nelson asked November for what seemed to be the millionth time. “I really can’t change this meeting I have at the YWCA.”
“I’ll be fine, Mom,” November called from the kitchen. “And I won’t be alone. I talked to Dana yesterday and she said she’d go with me. Jericho might show up as well.”
“Jericho?”
“Yeah. He’s been acting all fatherly and stuff. Like he’s responsible somehow.”
“Does it bother you that he’s so interested in the baby?”
“No, actually, it’s kinda refreshing. Boys are usually so clueless!”
“You kids be careful, you hear? I’ll be back late this afternoon. And you let me know everything that Dr. Holland tells you, okay?”
“I will, Mom. Now get out of here. You’re gonna be late.”
November was relieved to hear the door shut and her mother’s car start up in the driveway. She fixed herself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, then sat down on the softest chair in the living room because her back, once again, was aching. She looked down at her feet, which were swollen, and her belly, which no longer seemed to belong to her. And it’s just July, she moaned to herself.
The phone rang. She looked at the caller ID, saw it was Dana, and said casually, “What’s up, girl?”
“Nothin’. Just chillin’. Or tryin’ to in all this heat. Getting ready for my date tonight with Kofi. How are you dealin’ with it, little mama?”
“I’m sitting here looking at my feet and they look like two tree trunks. I don’t think I’ll ever be normal again,” November complained.
“I’ll be by there in a few minutes. Anything you want me to bring you?”
“Yeah, my life back.”
“Okay, one normal life on a platter—coming right up!” Dana laughed and hung up.
Before she could put the phone down, it rang again. This time the digital screen listed Jericho’s number.
“Hey, November. How’s it goin’?” he asked.
“You don’t want to know.”
“You’re probably right. I just wanted to know if you’re still speaking to me.”
“Why shouldn’t I?”
“Because of what my aunt and uncle are trying to do to you—you know, about adopting the baby.”
“You’re not responsible for what they’re doing, Jericho.”
“Yeah, in a sense, I think I am.”
“How you figure?”
“If Josh hadn’t died, none of this would be happening. It’s my fault he’s dead.”
“Jericho, you have to quit talking like that! What happened to Josh was an accident. Loosen up, man.” Deliberately changing the subject, she asked, “Hey, how’s football?”
“Maybe because I’m so big, or maybe it’s all comin’ back like Coach said it would, but it’s easy for me—and fun. I’m pretty good at it. Coach has me playing both offensive and defensive tackle.”
“Whatever that means. I tell you what. I’ll spare you the details of childbirth, and you don’t try to teach me the rules of football—bet?”
“Bet.” He laughed, then his voice turned serious. “So did you decide what to do about Brock and Marlene?”
November could see Dana’s car pulling into the driveway. “I decided not to make a decision yet. I know it’s stalling, but I have to be sure.”
“Is it still okay if I drop by the doctor’s office with you and Dana? You sure I won’t be in the way?”
“As tiny as you are—who’s gonna notice?” November replied. “Hey, Dana is here. She’s driving me there. I gotta go. See you there, maybe.”
“Let me know if you need anything, November.”
“You willing to babysit for the next fifteen years or so?”
“I don’t know about all that! Talk to you later.”
“Peace out.”