Lymber craft's Arc

Chapter 60 of 70

The invitation came in the mail on a Thursday, a pale pink card with Maggie's name on the back. A baby shower on Saturday at two. Lymber set the card on the counter and looked at it through dinner. She had not seen Maggie since the week before her mother died. She had not called her either. Lymber told Paul she would go, and she would take Missy with her. Violetta heard from the stairs and said she was coming too. Saturday afternoon Lymber drove the three of them across town. Missy wore the pink dress with the lace collar and held a wrapped box on her lap. Violetta sat in the front in jeans and a tank top, her hair pulled back. The house was small and bright, with big windows and a bench by the door. Cars lined the curb. Lymber recognized none of them. She parked and sat for a second with her hands on the wheel. Violetta said, we can go in, Mom. Lymber got out. Maggie opened the door herself. Her belly was round under a loose gray dress. She looked at Lymber and did not smile right away. Then she pulled her into a short hug and said, you came. Lymber said of course. Missy held up the box. Maggie took it and thanked her by name and touched her hair. Inside, women Lymber did not know were eating cake off small plates. Maggie walked her past them to the kitchen and poured her a glass of water and said, sit down. You look tired. Lymber sat. They talked at the kitchen table while Missy played with a neighbor's toddler on the rug and Violetta scrolled her phone on the couch. Maggie asked about the twins. She asked about Paul. She did not ask about Polly, and Lymber understood that she already knew. Lymber told her anyway. She said the house was sold. She said the Tuesdays were the worst part. Maggie said, I heard. I'm sorry I wasn't at the service. Lymber said she had not had a service. Maggie nodded once and did not push. She said, you should have called me. Lymber said she knew. Maggie put her hand on Lymber's for a second and then took it back and said, next week, bring the twins over. I want to see them before this one comes. Lymber said yes. She stayed another hour and watched Maggie open gifts on the couch with her hand on her belly. On the drive home Missy fell asleep in her seat. Violetta said, she was nice. Lymber said, she is. At a red light Lymber pressed her palm against her own stomach without thinking, then took it away. She had felt something turn there twice during the party. She told herself it was the cake.