Page 13 of The One

“I’ll walk. It’s not that far and I could use the exercise.”

“Please,” Whitney said. “You’ve always been so thin.”

She had been thin most of her life. She’d played sports and that helped, but since she knew she wanted to be a dietician, she always told herself she had to practice what she preached.

She didn’t mind it. She liked cooking and trying new recipes. It’s not like she had a lot more to do with her life as pathetic as that sounded.

“You’re one to talk,” she said. “You’re in great shape and not even showing.”

“I’ve got a little bump. I can’t wait for it to go out more. I know most people never want that or think it, but I really couldn’t wait to be pregnant.”

“You’re going to be the best Mom to a little girl,” she said.

“Thanks. I feel like I’ve waited forever for this. It’s like the first time Ben called me Mom and I cried like a baby.”

Gillian had always thought Ben might call her Mom one day, but it never happened. It was probably for the best too.

“Are you ready, Ben?”

“Ready, Aunt Gillian,” Ben said.

He was almost hopping around and it made her giggle the way he said her name. The ll’s sounded more like a w.

“We won’t be long,” she said. “But I’ll tire him out good for you so he’ll nap long after lunch.”

“Take your time,” Whitney said. “I’ll have lunch for us when you get back.”

“Don’t go out of your way. You said your mother is coming over.”

“Not until later. I’m going to put wedding gifts away now. I should have done it when we got back over a week ago, but we’ve been busy and Ben tends to get under my feet a lot.”

“Then I’m glad I can take him off your hands.”

She put Ben in the stroller that was in the garage and then set off on her way to the park right in Paradise Place. It was only about a mile or so and Ben could get out and run around until he was ready to drop. She’d try to keep him awake for the walk back if she could so he’d eat his lunch and then sleep hard for Whitney.

The closer they got to the playground, the more excited Ben was getting, his feet kicking and him wanting to climb out and run. He never sat still.

“Okay,” she said. “I’m coming.”

He was trying to crawl out on his own even though he was strapped in.

“Out,” Ben said.

She laughed and got him out, put him on the ground and watched him run for the little slide.

For thirty minutes she let him dash around, holding his hand while he climbed things and then went down the slide.

“We should head back home now, Ben.”

“No,” Ben said. “I want to play.”

“You’ve been playing. We’re having a lot of fun too.”

“Play with the dog,” Ben said and started to run.

She turned her head to look and Ben took off running toward the man with what looked to be an overactive puppy getting tangled up in its leash.

It was only a few steps before she caught up with Ben and snatched him in her arms. He started to yell and point and shout, “Dog.”