Page 99 of Never Forever

Me: You’re the boss.

Carrie: I don’t like this version of you. Makes me nervous.

Me: I’m sorry

Carrie: GRRRRRRRR

One Hour Later

Me: Did you make an appointment yet?

Carrie: Dr. Wai in Portland 11:30 next Tuesday.

Me: I expected more of a fight.

Carrie: I guess I’m tired of fighting too.

Me: I’ll pick you up at the hotel at 10:30.

Carrie: Okay.

Two Minutes Later

Me: I forgot to ask, how are you feeling?

Carrie: Matt, I’m like two minutes pregnant. I’m not feeling anything yet.

Me: Okay, but tell me when you do.

Carrie: Why?

Me: Cause. We’re in it together.

Carrie: You going to start puking next to me if I do?

Me: If that’s what it takes…

23

Next Tuesday

Carrie

Iwoke up sick to my stomach this morning.

Morning sickness. This soon? It seemed unlikely, but then Dr. Google said that can happen for some women.

I wasthrilled.

I wanted to call my sister and tell her that the smell of eggs wafting from the dining room as I walked through the hotel lobby nearly made me gag.

I wanted to tell her that I craved onion rings with the power of a super nova.

I wanted to tell her she was going to be an aunt.

Instead, I swallowed the words and sat as calmly as I could on a bench just outside The Dumont waiting for my ride to pick me up for our very first doctor’s appointment together.

“Carrie Piedmont?” A woman asked, walking up to me with an extremely embarrassed teenage son. “Is that…you?”