From Here to There by Rain Trueax Page A

of story anyway." She protectively ran her hand over her belly.
     Helene looked down at her own hand, noting the short, unpolished broken off nails. Not much like they'd been a month earlier. "It's the same thing as parents who beat their child when they've been beaten. Once they understand the pain and suffering, why perpetrate it onto their child? Wouldn't you think we'd want to pass on only the best to our offspring?"
     "You're not expecting me to have the answer, I hope," Nancy shot back.
     "I don't think anyone has the answer to those questions. Depressing subject anyway. Let's talk instead about your presents." She pushed forward two gift wrapped boxes.
     Nancy started to protest but grinned instead. "I never could resist presents. What did you get me?"
     Helene handed her one box. "What do you think, dopey?" She watched with a smile as Nancy tore open the wrappings of the first box. Inside she pulled out four dinosaur patterned sleepers, a dinosaur rattle, and a white baby blanket.
     "I'll buy the fun outfits when you make up your mind if you're having a boy or girl. I can hardly wait. My friend, Michelle, and I nearly went crazy in the store when we saw what cute clothes they have for babies these days."
     Nancy held up the soft sleepers. "Emile and I drool... Well, at least I do. He's playing it cool. You know how men are. We just didn’t want to know the sex. We’ll be happy either way" She stopped and grinned. "Come on back and see the way we've fixed up the nursery."
     "I want to, but first open the other box."
     Nancy tore into the wrappings and drew out a filmy turquoise negligee. Wow!" She grinned. "Emile is definitely going to approve of this."
     "I wanted something special for you--for afterward."
     "Well, this is it," Nancy said with a laugh. She ran her hand under the sheer fabric. "I love it. Thank you. I can hardly wait until I can fit into it."
     "My pleasure. When I went shopping, I had a hard time resisting the urge to buy one of everything for myself." Except of course, she would be the only one to see anything she bought, which seemed to make the purchases unnecessary extravagances.
     Nancy giggled. "So, you bought it for me. I wondered for a minute if this was a discard from one of your showers."
     Helene laughed. "No, although that's not a bad idea. I have some pretty outrageous things, or at least I did until I sent it all back to the givers."
     "Want a cup of herbal tea? It's about all I'm allowed these days."
     Helene nodded and watched as Nancy struggled to her feet. Heading for the cupboard, she kept shaking her head. "You've always been such a composed, together sort of person. I thought you knew exactly what you wanted." Taking a steaming tea kettle in one hand, she grabbed a box of tea bags and snared two cups over her little finger.
     "Oh, I'm together all right," Helene said with a derisive snort. "Altogether a mess!"
     "Peach okay?" When Helene nodded, Nancy said, "A mess? How do you figure that? College degree, career, cool wardrobe. I figured the husband and 1.7 kids were next on the schedule." She set the cups and box of tea on the table.
     "The schedule got screwed," Helene countered, delving into the box to pick out two teabags, dropping one in each cup. "I haven’t given up on it someday. Just when it’s right.”
     "I've envied you ever since we were kids," Nancy admitted, pouring the hot water over the bags.
     "You have to be kidding!"
     "Why wouldn't I? You're beautiful, rich, smart. Just about everything I'm not." Nancy scrunched up her piquant face.
     "Oh yeah, if you're so dumb, how come you're the one having a baby in less than a month, whose father is a man you adore, and how come I'm the one still trying to figure out up from down? If you're so plain, how come Emile practically devours you with his eyes every time he looks at you? As for rich, well, you and Emile have this little ranch. If I had half what you've got, I'd be a happy