The Orphan Club

Boston: A Bridal Shower

Jeremy, a man in his mid-forties, with salt and (red)pepper hair and creamy white skin, waves a bag of chips towards the back seat while he keeps his eyes on the road and one of his hands on the steering wheel.

"Eat. You haven't eaten all day," he says to his wife, who has turned the back seat into a bed, and my lap as her footstool.

"It's so weird. It's just a regular piece of paper." She sighs.

"I think it's thicker than most pieces of paper we are in contact with on a day-to-day basis." I disagree.

"Debatable. Actually, I think it's thinner. Honey, what do you think?" She raises her head up to look at the driver's seat.

"I think you should eat."

"I second that!" I agree with Jeremy, looking up from Eddie's book which I've been trying to read since I came to Boston a few weeks ago. I've finally made it to chapter three and Eddie is still talking about his teenage years. I close the book and put it in my bag not being able to concentrate.

"Ugh, not hungry. Just disappointed. I thought it would be more"—she pauses, swallows hard and her eyes fill up with tears—"exciting. I am not even wearing white!" She looks down at her plain blue muumuu dress, her eyes now shining as the tears bubble up, threatening to pop.

"Baby, you were the one who just two days ago screamed that you wanted to get married as soon as possible. Luckily the Harewood name was able to get us an ordained minister to marry us. Now we are, three months before the due date." He lovingly scolds. "But if you really want, after Rachel is born, we can have a wedding. A big one."

"Really?" She chokes because she is now crying full-on.

"Really."

"Will you be my maid of honor since you're already the witness for this ugly piece of paper?"

"Always Mac!" I bend down and hug her swollen feet which are destroying my thighs. My phone buzzes next to me and I quickly pick it up.

We are here. Found the key you left under the mat. What's your eta? The message from my sister read.

Since it was in our group chat, Liam adds, Laurel and I are almost there. Should be there by 12:05 PM. Where do you want us to park?

Park a few houses down or on the next street, you can move the cars back later! I reply.

"Who are you texting?" Nosy Mac asks. "Can't be a boy, you've been with me for three weeks now and I don't see you flirt with anyone. Talk to anyone. You are not on any dating apps."

"I have friends besides you,  you know." I skirt her very true accusation.

"It's probably the club minus Matty of course." My heart sinks at his name. Mac senses it because she continues with, "Still no response for him?"

"No. Nothing now for four months.." I simply say.

"Who told you to accuse him of abandoning Jeremey's child?" She raises her eyebrows at me.

"How the hell was I supposed to know you fell in love with someone else and got knocked up? You didn't talk to anyone in the club much after you met Jeremy here." I flung my hands in Jeremy's direction. "Also who came to my door crying about Matty the night you found out you were pregnant? So naturally, When I saw the test, I just assumed."

"Sorry, I should have told you but I thought you were all going to pick Matty over me. Plus, I couldn't think of much else after I met my man here. He swept me off my feet. We created a bubble that only allowed the two of us inside until Miss Rachel here popped it." She strokes her now huge belly with such happiness I can't help but envy her but also join along in her happiness.