Chapter 5 #2
Claire recognized Stephanie. They’d been in the same year in school and had been friendly but lost touch when everyone went off to college. She still had the same shoulder-length medium-brown straight hair and warm smile.
“I came back too but not right away,” Stephanie said.
“I graduated law school and then worked in Boston. I met Brian at a holiday party about five years ago. I’d always had a crush on him in high school, but we never dated.
His family is here, and he went into real estate after college, and my practice is real estate law, so it’s a perfect fit.
We married a year later, and I moved back to the island. ”
Emma’s hair was a bit shorter than in high school.
It was light brown, straight, and just skimmed her collarbone.
“As you know, I work at Mimi’s Place too and date the chef, Paul.
We were serious in high school but broke up and married and divorced other people.
I was newly divorced when I came back to Nantucket.
I had no intention of dating then, but I guess it was meant to be,” she said.
Molly was a nurse at Nantucket Hospital and was single and somewhat new to the island.
When she got up for more wine, Claire noticed how tall she was, at least five eight or so.
Molly was lean, and Claire wasn’t surprised when she mentioned at one point that she loved to run on the beach.
She had long bleached-blond hair that went halfway down her back.
“I was a traveling nurse and originally came a year ago for a three-month contract. I was planning to go to Boston after that. But I fell in love with Nantucket, and when they offered me a permanent job, I was thrilled,” Molly said.
Claire had guessed that Molly was maybe a year or two younger and was surprised when she mentioned just turning forty.
“The girls had a surprise party for me a few weeks ago. They knew I’d been feeling some kind of way about turning forty and still being single.”
“You’ve had the most exciting life though. Traveling to so many places,” Rachel said.
Molly nodded. “It has been fun. But it’s hard to keep up a relationship when you’re only there for a few months at a time. I would have stopped traveling if I’d found the right person. It just hasn’t happened yet.”
“I’m sure it will,” Mandy assured her. “I never thought I’d want to date again after the divorce, and then Matt walked into the restaurant. I was immediately attracted but didn’t admit it for a while. We struck up a friendship, and then it just sort of evolved.”
Molly sighed. “That’s the dream. Everyone says it will happen when you least expect it. So I’m just focused on enjoying life and keeping busy.”
“Maybe you’ll meet a hot doctor?” Rachel said.
Molly laughed. “Doctors are actually the least likely prospects. They’re either married or have issues. And many of them work such long hours that it’s hard to find time for anything else.” She glanced at Claire. “I hear you just moved here from Manhattan. Did you like living in the city?”
“I loved it. I’m from Nantucket, as you probably know, and moved there after graduating from college.
I worked at a fashion magazine before I got married.
I have one teenage daughter. I’m getting divorced, and that’s why I’m back.
” She paused for a moment and then decided to share.
“It’s a bit messy actually. I found out I was pregnant—which I didn’t think was possible at this point.
I also found out that my husband was having an affair with his twentysomething receptionist, and she is pregnant too. ”
“Ugh…I’m so sorry. I didn’t realize that,” Mandy said. The others looked equally surprised and sympathetic.
Claire knew that Rachel had just told them that she’d moved back to the island and was getting a divorce but hadn’t gone into any further details. But she figured if she was going to see these women every month, she might as well fill them in.
“I was blindsided by my husband’s affair. Affairs actually,” Mandy said. “We married right out of college too. Things are much better now though. And you have family here still?”
Claire nodded. “Yes, I’m staying with my mother. My daughter is coming this weekend. And my grandmother is nearby too. I’m lucky to have their support.”
“You have all of ours too,” Rachel said. “It will be fun to have a baby to look forward to. It has been a while, but I may still have some things you can use—like a nice crib. I stored it for my girls to use some day.”
“That would be awesome. And you’ll get it back in plenty of time for your daughters.”
“I’ll take a look too,” Jenna said. “I think I may have a stroller you could use. I held on to it in case Avery might need it someday. But it doesn’t look like that is happening anytime soon. She’s sixteen now and told me recently that she’s not sure she ever sees herself married with kids.”
“She’s young though. She might feel differently in a few years,” Rachel said.
They chatted for another hour or so. Mandy cleared away the food and brought out a plate of brownies, which they all pounced on. They were the fudgy, chewy kind, and Claire had two.
“Chocolate goes so well with red wine,” Jenna said happily, and the others agreed.
Claire sighed and took a sip of her nonalcoholic chardonnay.
She’d once loved the combination of red wine and chocolate too.
She thought she’d feel a little sad watching everyone enjoying their wine but found that she didn’t even crave it.
She was starting to feel very sleepy though so was glad to leave soon after.
It had been a good night, and she looked forward to the next meeting and to getting to know the women a bit better.
Maybe then she’d share more about her financial situation.
She didn’t feel comfortable enough to mention that just yet.
She’d looked online and in the local paper earlier that afternoon, and there was nothing listed for jobs, other than a few roles at the hospital that she definitely wasn’t qualified for.
Maybe by next month, things might open up more as businesses got ready for summer.
And maybe the book club women might have some leads on possible jobs.
The next day, after Claire dropped her mother off at work, she headed for her first doctor’s appointment.
Emily McCarthy’s office was located at Nantucket Cottage Hospital.
Claire thought it was interesting that most doctors on the island had their offices at the hospital, which was very different from Manhattan. But also convenient.
Dr. McCarthy had a warm, no-nonsense way about her that immediately put Claire at ease. She did a full examination and ultrasound.
“Everything looks as it should. I think we are looking at a due date of around October twenty-first. As you know, that date isn’t set in stone, and babies often have their own timetables. How did your first birth go?”
“I was a week late. No issues otherwise.”
Dr. McCarthy nodded. “I don’t expect any issues this time, but we’ll see you each month to make sure.
” They chatted a bit about eating healthy and listening to her body.
“As you probably know, you’ll experience deep fatigue at times, especially during the first trimester.
Don’t be afraid to take a nap or just rest as needed.
And if you have cravings for things you normally avoid, like ice cream, feel free to indulge—just don’t go overboard. ”
Claire laughed. “So far, it’s just peanut butter. But I did crave ice cream with Lily, so that may be coming.”
The doctor wrapped up with her, and Claire booked her next appointment with the receptionist before she left.
She felt good about everything until she walked out the door and a cool breeze startled her.
She zipped her coat up and felt a wave of intense sadness and confusion wash over her.
It was so overwhelming that she looked around, saw a wooden bench, and sank onto it.
Tears came fast and furious as the reality of her pregnancy hit her.
She hadn’t allowed herself to slow down and consider the impact of the new baby.
She’d just been moving forward, putting on a brave face.
And she was grateful for the support of her mother and her friends.
But was that enough? Could she really do this?
Her phone vibrated, and she saw that it was Grammy calling.
She answered with a shaky voice. “Hi, Grammy. Is everything all right?” Her grandmother rarely called her in the middle of the day.
“Everything is peachy keen here, honey. I was just about to head to the dining room for a bit of afternoon tea and was thinking about you. How are you doing?”
The kind, caring voice sent Claire over the edge. Her eyes filled up, and she sniffed hard.
“I’m okay. I just came from my first doctor’s appointment. Everything is fine. I’m having a baby in October. I think my hormones are acting up.” She laughed through her tears.
“Why don’t you come over here, honey? Have some tea with me? Keep an old lady company for a bit?”
Claire smiled. Grammy had more energy than people half her age. And being around her always cheered Claire up.
“I’m on my way.”
Claire’s tears had dried by the time she walked into the dining room at Grammy’s assisted living.
Grammy was sitting at her favorite table by the window.
An empty teacup and saucer waited for Claire as she sank into her seat.
She chose an orange-scented herbal tea bag, and her grandmother lifted the teapot, filled her cup, and added more hot water to her own.
As Claire stirred a bit of honey into her tea, a server arrived and set a three-level stand of tea sandwiches and pastries on the table.
“I thought we might as well have a good snack along with our tea,” Grammy said.
Claire smiled. “Thank you. I’m doing better now. That was my first real panic moment. I think seeing the doctor made it all real. I’m excited about the baby. But I’m a little scared of the uncertainty of doing this on my own.”
Grammy reached across the table, took Claire’s hand, and gave it a gentle squeeze. “You’re not alone, honey. You have your mother and me, all your friends, and Lily is on her way too. You have a village here, and we won’t let you down.”
Claire felt her eyes well up again. She dabbed at them and nodded. “I know. I’m lucky to have all of you.”
“You’re stronger than you think, Claire. I’ve always believed that everything happens for a reason. You were meant to come home and to have this baby. This is your time to start over, a second chance at a new life.”
Claire nodded. “A second chance. I like that.”
Claire spent several hours visiting with Grammy until a wave of sleepiness came over her and she couldn’t hold back a yawn. Grammy laughed when she saw it.
“Go home, honey, and curl up with a good book. You’ll probably read for a few minutes and then sink into a luxurious sleep. Have a good rest, and you’ll feel so much better after.”
Claire pulled her in for a hug. “I already feel better. Thank you.”
She walked Grammy to her apartment, then headed home and did exactly as her grandmother suggested. She grabbed a book, curled up on the sofa, and within minutes was fast asleep. Her last thought as she drifted off was that everything would be okay. Better than okay.