In The Blood

Midnight Calls

(Kelsey)

 Once upon a time, I was more of a party animal than I am now. But it was 11:30 and I was drifting in and out. I'd tucked Lydia into bed when she started getting cranky at 10:30 and just curled up in the living room with one of my favorite movies, a bowl of popcorn, and a pop. Big night at the Lundquist house. Haha!

At 11:50, I got up and found my phone, hoping hubby would call to wish me a happy New Year. I grabbed a bottle of sparkling water, a champagne glass, and waited. Maybe he'd have a chance to; otherwise, maybe I'd call him. Surely sometime tonight. Rob was on west coast time, so it was two hours earlier there, have to be 9:30. Right smack dab in the middle of their concert. OK, I can stay up later... maybe. I poured me another pop trying to stay away, glancing at the bottle of champagne I'd bought a few weeks ago. I was a little hesitant to drink it though; I was late. I'd taken one test but evidently somehow even peed wrong and screwed things up. I didn't even get the control line. I'd tried the second but just dropped it in the toilet. I was going to have to get a second box. I settled back down with another good movie, a second bowl of popcorn, and a third pop, this time a diet at least. I drifted off once in the middle of the movie for a quick fifteen minute nap, dreaming about a little boy. It'd be sweet if I was pregnant with a boy. I'd always wanted a boy, and I knew Rob wanted one too. I really would prefer to tell him face-to-face though, instead of over the phone, so I could see the expression on his face. Oh, the smile he'd had when we found out Lydia was on her way. It started in his eyes and then his mouth curled up in the biggest grin. 'You're gonna be a daddy, Rob!' He'd kissed me, we'd hugged, we'd even jumped up and down and laughed. We were both so happy. First time parents. Wasn't always easy; I was acting as a 'single mom' for a good portion of the time when Home Free was touring and working. I wouldn't change it for the world though. I love being a mom and have help in my own parents, and I love how happy Rob is in his life—with his home life and with his work/tour life. He had it all—and maybe a new little one. I jerked awake to watch the end of the movie then found myself crawling around on the floor, the popcorn bowl having been upended. I scooped up a few uneaten kernels, unpeopled corns, and salt in my hand, then dusted it off in a trash can. 1:15 AM. 11:15 on the west coast. Anytime. He'd be calling me anytime now and we could ring in a new year from the west coast and kiss each other over Facetime. I played with my phone on Facebook for about fifteen minutes, wishing he'd hurry up and call. I always look forward to talking to him. I jerked awake about ten minutes later, screen down on on my face.

Ah hell. He'd call when he got a chance. I put the phone down on the coffee table and just laid down on the couch, pulling a blanket up over me. I let myself drift off. No use staying awake at this point... because I clearly couldn't.

When my phone rang an hour later, I actually tumbled off the couch, a giant mess of arms, legs, and blankets. I squinted at the screen hoping it was Rob for my New Year's Eve/New Year's Day call. Nope. Some 310 area code. I didn't know anyone in area code 310. How'd it even get through? I was in do-not-disturb mode—only favorites could get through. I picked it up. Wow. They had called three times, the exact same number from Los Angeles, California. The number called a fourth time while I was holding it. Wondering if Rob was trying to call me from a hotel landline, I answered.

"Hello?" Damn it, I sounded froggy. I coughed and tried again. "I mean, hello?"

"Good morning, may I speak to Mrs. Kelsey Lundquist?" a female voice asked me.

This wasn't Rob at all. But she asked specifically for me, so this wasn't a spam or crank call. I sat up, knocking a blue throw pillow off the top of my head. "This is she."

"Hi, Mrs. Lundquist, my name is Bernice and I'm calling from Cedars-Sinai. I'm calling regarding—"

I blinked. "Cedar what?" Cedar? Like the tree? I liked trees. Don't tell me a national park is calling me at this time of night though.