Motherhood is Murder(39)
5. Laurie swim classes?
6. Be a better momstay out of troubledo NOT endanger Laurie.
The following morning, I puttered around the kitchen making coffee, still not sure if I would be able to drink any. My throat continued to hurt and only tea seemed to go down. It was 9:00 A.M., and Jim and Laurie were still sleeping.
The nurses had pumped Laurie full of formula and it seemed to knock her out overnight. We had been up to breastfeed only once, around 3:00 A.M.
Hmmm. Something to keep in mind.
When we got home last night, after the hospital escapade, Jim had made me promise not to investigate without guidance. Hed said if Galigani wasnt willing to sponsor me as an intern and supervise me, then Id have to stop investigating.
Actually, the arrangement was fine with me. I hated being scolded by McNearny. What if he arrested me?
No.
I would be a stay-at-home mom! Full-time mother! Completely dedicated and 100 percent devoted to my little flower!
The temperature had dropped overnight and it looked like we were in for a bit of a cold spell. At least by San Francisco standards, high forties. I planned to snuggle under a fleece blanket, drink tea, be with Laurie, and watch TV all day.
After all, isnt that what new moms were supposed to do?
No running around and thinking I had consumed something deadly.
I flicked on the TV and at the first commercial break got antsy. I peeked at my cell phone and noticed the voice mail indicator on. Id missed three calls yesterday.
Hmmm.
No!
Im a stay-at-home. One hundred percent mom. If I listened to my voice mails, I might get sucked in again. I padded to the middle of room, where Laurie was lightly sleeping in the bassinet. She fidgeted and swung her arms. I touched her cheek, and despite the fuzzy sleeper, she seemed cold.
When would I be allowed to use a blanket in her bassinet? She had broken out of the swaddle a few weeks prior, and keeping her warm in this weather was going to become a concern.
My eyes flicked back to my cell phone. There wasnt any harm in checking messages, was there? All I would be doing was listening. Maybe there was an important message, even something urgent.
I grabbed my cell phone as the doorbell rang. I made my way to the front door and looked through the peek hole. There was a pregnant belly poking its way through a bouquet of flowers. My best friend, Paula, was standing behind the bouquet.
I flung the door open and a gust of wind hit me in the face. I grabbed Paula around the neck, crushing the flowers between us. Oh, my God, what are you doing here?
Paula, a born designer, was wearing a white cashmere overcoat and was wrapped in pink accessories. Pink gloves, scarf, and hat. They matched her cheeks.
She stepped inside and handed me the flowers. These are for you.
For what?
I called yesterday and Jim told me you had been in the hospital. I wanted to come see you right away.
A delicate Parisian shopping bag hung from her wrist. She unlatched it and handed it to me. Something for the little one. Where is she?
I directed her to the living room. Paula immediately spotted the bassinet and rushed to unbundle herself. She thrust all her pink accessories at me, even her Dolce & Gabbana pursealso in pink.
I hung everything in the hall closet. I wasnt expecting you home so soon.
I came home to have the baby! she said, reflexively rubbing her belly.
But youre not due, for what, another couple of months, right?
Yeah, yeah, but I wanted to be home before I got too far along to travel.
What about David and Danny? I asked.
Paula and her husband, David, had relocated to Paris several months ago with their two-year-old, Danny. David worked for a top consulting firm and theyd requested he take an assignment in France, holding the promise of a promotion over his head. At home getting settled in, Paula said. In moments she had scoped Laurie up. Kate! Shes so darling.
Laurie remarkably remained asleep in her arms.
Who do you look like? Paula asked Laurie. You have your dads forehead. What about your eyes? She jiggled Laurie. Hey, wake up there, kid. Im talking to you.
I nudged Paula shoulder. Dont you dare!
Paula laughed and continued her conversation with a snoozing Laurie. Im having a girl, too. You guys will be best friends, just like your mommy and me. I cant wait.
I gestured for her to have a seat.
Wheres Jim? Paula asked.
Still sleeping.
Paula raised an eyebrow. You are the luckiest person I know. What new mother can actually sit down and have a conversation with a girlfriend while her newborn and husband sleep?
I waved a hand at her. Im sure the peace and quiet will be short lived. Coffee?
She sat on an easy chair in front of the couch and nestled Laurie into the crook of her arm. Im dying for a cup of coffee, but Im doing the caffeine-free thing until the baby is born.