It’s now March and I cannot believe Liberty will be one this month. The first twelve months of her life flew by. As did the off-season in which I didn’t keep my promise to introduce Hamilton to his daughter. His agent kept him busy claiming remaining in the public eye keeps him in demand. Hamilton complains his agent’s favorite words are ‘strike while the iron is hot.’ Hamilton is now back in Arizona. I know. I know. I conveniently keep putting it off.
“Have a seat,” Alma greets as I enter the kitchen to prepare dinner.
“Would you like me to start dinner first?” I try to interpret Alma’s stern demeanor. Is she ill or in pain? I worry about her health more with each passing day. I fear what will come of Liberty and me should something happen to her.
“We’ll order pizza after we talk.”
Oh no. This sounds ominous. I take a seat across from her, place my arms on the table, and tip my head for her to begin.
“When do you plan to tell Hamilton?” Alma’s eyes peer into mine. Alma knows Hamilton is already in Mesa, Arizona. He returned early just as he did last year.
“I guess I’ll have to wait until next October to introduce Hamilton to her.” I rest my chin in my hands with elbows on the table. “I’ll tell him before Liberty turns two. I can’t let it go any farther than that.” I inhale deeply. “Will you make sure I tell him before next Christmas?” Perhaps I can count on her to force me to keep my word. I know she will hold me accountable.
Alma rises from her chair. She remains silent until she returns with two water bottles. She slides one over to me. “That’s a long time away, are you sure you don’t want to travel to Mesa now?”
If I fly to Arizona this week or next, I’d interrupt Hamilton’s pre-season routines. I’d need to take Liberty with me, so Alma would need to tag along. Regardless of Hamilton’s reaction to my revealing he has a daughter, this close to his season would interfere with his performance for the months that follow.
“I can’t upset his world right as his pre-season starts. This is life-altering news. He needs time to process it. I have to do it during next off-season.” My eyes beg Alma to validate my reasoning.
“Then next October, November, or December it will be.” I breathe easier knowing she agrees. “Let’s formally invite Hamilton and his family here for Christmas. We have plenty of room for three more and once he meets his daughter he will want to be near her for the holiday.”
I like the idea of my two families sharing the holiday.
“When I call Memphis,” Alma continues. “I’ll mention you feel torn between the two families at the holidays. Perhaps that will encourage them to accept the invitation.”
We discuss reaching out to Memphis in July, securing a hotel nearby for Alma’s children, and now that we have a firm date in mind we can plan in greater detail as fall approaches. Alma writes on her July calendar to call Memphis about Christmas. I create an event in my iCal. I also create the event in my countdown app for December Twenty-Fourth. This will keep a count of the total days I have until I need to meet with Hamilton. I hope I find an opportunity prior to Christmas to tell Hamilton, but if not at least with Alma’s help Liberty will meet the rest of her family by Christmas.
I order pizza delivery while Alma runs Liberty’s bath.
While enjoying our pizza, my phone vibrates alerting an incoming call from Adrian. It’s after 7:00 p.m. I send it to voicemail hoping she’ll text instead. With texting I’m able to reply when it’s convenient for me and I have more time to think of my responses. Texting allows me to enjoy more time with Liberty.
At the next commercial break, I excuse myself as tears begin to sting the back of my eyes. I’ve cried too much lately. Liberty’s new achievements cause me to cry. Missing Hamilton and my friends bring tears. Just now, a cell phone commercial brought the tears I struggle to control. I pour myself another glass of wine before blotting my eyes and wiping my cheeks. I take a couple deep, calming breaths before returning to the front room.
I’m greeted by Alma’s concerned eyes. I blame these tears on hormones. She raises her brow not buying my excuse.
I sip my wine as Liberty enjoys her final minutes of playtime before bath and bed time.
Liberty’s birthday is this weekend. Glancing at my cell phone I peruse my list. I’ve planned a simple First Birthday party for the three of us. I still need to wrap her gifts and pick up the cake otherwise, I am prepared.
Liberty’s voice travels through the baby monitor alerting us she’s awake from her afternoon nap. I tuck my cell phone in my pocket as I ascend the stairs. On the third step, my phone rings. I pause to answer.
“Adrian is in labor,” Salem’s excitement is clear. “Her water broke at ten this morning and labor is progressing quickly now. They cleared the room of everyone except Winston and Adrian’s mother.” We chat for a bit and Salem promises to call as soon as she has news.
I scoop Liberty from her crib into my arms. She places her hands on each side of my face and plants a wet baby kiss near my mouth.
“Adrian is having her baby today,” I inform my daughter. “Her birthday will be two days before your birthday. Isn’t that exciting?” Liberty claps her hands as if she knows what I say.
I opt to spend my entire evening with Alma, Libby, and McGee. I check my phone often throughout the evening. As more time passes I worry about complications and shoot a text to Salem.
Me: any news?
Salem: wheeled her for C-Section over 30 min ago
Salem: promise to text soon
I tuck Libby in bed by eight and immediately pour two glasses of wine. After two full glasses of wine, I decide to retire for the night at 9:30 p.m.
At ten, Salem texts that Adrian and baby girl are tucked safely in their room. Both mom and baby are happy and healthy. My friend doesn’t know it yet, but her daughter’s birthday is two days before my daughter’s. My thoughts drift to the years ahead when my secret is revealed. I imagine joint birthday parties as our girls grow up one year apart. Bethany is now five months pregnant with a baby due in July. Her son or daughter will only be four months younger than Adrian’s daughter. Recently Salem revealed they are trying to conceive. Last year’s theme was weddings, this year’s theme is babies. With all but Savannah and I married, the rest of our gang moved on to starting families.