Some Women by Emily Liebert Page B

is born . . .”
    â€œMom.”
    â€œIt’s a lot to think about, you know,” she continued. “You’ll need a crib and bedding and lots of onesies, because infants spit up all the time, and . . . bibs . . . And what do they call those playthings you can travel with? There’s so much more these days than back when I had you.”
    â€œMom, slow down.” She laughed. “I haven’t even told Trevor yet.”
    â€œOh?” A nuance of concern crept into her voice.
    â€œThere’s nothing to be worried about. I have something special planned for tonight. I just . . . I wanted you to be the first to know.”
    â€œMy lips are sealed. Except . . .”
    â€œYes, you can tell Daddy.”
    â€œThank goodness, because you know I’m not good at keeping secrets from him.”
    â€œI know, Mom. And I love you for that. Minus the time you told him that I’d gotten my period in the middle of science lab at school.”
    â€œI don’t remember that.”
    â€œReally? Because I’m pretty sure Uncle Joe does, since he was standing right there.”
    â€œOh, sorry.”
    â€œI’ve let it go.” Mackenzie smiled to herself, aware that her mother’s apology was both authentic and unnecessary. “Listen, I have to run, but can you please e-mail me your fried chicken andmashed potato recipes? The ones you made last time you were here?”
    â€œI’ll do that right after I wash the breakfast dishes.”
    â€œThanks.”
    â€œAnd, sweetheart.”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œYou’re going to make a wonderful mother.”
    â€¢Â Â Â â€¢Â Â Â â€¢
    â€œAnnabel, right?” Mackenzie pulled her jacket over her workout gear. The doctor had confirmed that exercising within reason while pregnant was not only safe, but encouraged. “Piper introduced us on Monday at Café Crunch next door.”
    â€œYes, of course, I remember you.” Annabel smiled tentatively.
    â€œAre you going over there now? I’m starving and I’d love some company.” She couldn’t quite figure out how old Annabel was, but her best guess was mid-thirties. She probably had kids in school already and a strictly defined clique of friends in place, but so what? Mackenzie could tell by her prowess in their exercise class, even though she wasn’t the most athletic-looking person, that she had a strong personality. An attribute she appreciated in other women, since so many of them she’d met or worked with in Eastport tended to be riddled with insecurities. Never thin enough. Never rich enough. Simply never enough in any way. That wasn’t Mackenzie’s style.
    â€œSure, that sounds fine.” They walked over to the café together, bemoaning how tough the morning’s class had been, and then took a seat by the window.
    â€œI’m completely ravenous. You?” Mackenzie looked up from her menu.
    â€œOh, me? Unfortunately, I’m always hungry. But I’m trying to lose some weight.”
    â€œWhy? You look amazing.”
    â€œNo,
you
look amazing. I’m fifteen pounds from looking decent.” Mackenzie’s mouth bent into a frown. “Don’t worry, I’m not one of those psycho chicks with the juice cleanses and starvation diets. I’m just honest. I gained sixty pounds with my twins, and five years later I’ve still got a Goodyear around my waist and more junk in my trunk than there is at a yard sale.”
    â€œWell, I think you should eat whatever you’d like. We must have just burned at least five hundred calories in there.” The waitress appeared beside the table, poised with pad and pen. “Can I have a ham and mushroom omelet, a side of sausage, and some fruit, please?”
    â€œWow, you don’t mess around.” Annabel scanned the menu. “I’ll have what she’s having, minus the