Page 8 of Taking the Pitch
I read that message you sent me just fine.
Being a smart-ass has always been my go-to deflection.
Charlie
:::facepalming emoji::: Some days I feel like I don’t get paid enough to handle you jocks. Books Judd, do you read books?
Excitement builds inside of me. How awesome would it be if Charlie found me a program where I can be around books all day?Play it cool, Judd, no one knows.
Me
I mean I’ve read one or two.
Or hundreds….
Charlie
I think I found the perfect fit for you. Let me finalize details and I’ll send you an email with all the information you need. Once you read it, just text me back if you think it’s something you’d be into.
Me
Sounds good Charlie, thank you for doing this.
Charlie
No need to thank me, Judd, it’s literally my job.
“What are you so giddy about over there?”
I look up from my phone to see Lucy padding into the room in black leggings and one of Kessler’s old Silverbacks T-shirts that’s tied at the side. She has dark rings under her eyes and her hair is a little disheveled. She looks exhausted. Guilt grips my chest. She’s had enough to deal with being pregnant with twins. Now I’ve added to it with my stunt last night.
“Uh, Charlie was just texting me about a possible outreach program she thinks I would be a good fit with. Aren’t you supposed to be taking a nap before we head to Mom and Dad’s?”
Lucy rounds the chair Kessler is in and he opens his arms, lifting the book in one, without her even having to say a word. She sits next to him and pulls her legs up, draping them across his lap. Laying her head on his chest, she lets out a heavy sigh and closes her eyes. “I tried, but I couldn’t seem to get comfortable. This is the only way I have been able to take naps lately.”
Kessler lays the book on her legs, still reading, and drapes his other behind her, rubbing her upper back in small circles. “The doctor said her energy levels would get better in the second trimester, but that hasn’t seemed to happen yet.” He looks overat me, worry lines litter his face. Lucy had a rough first trimester, to say the least, with debilitating bouts of morning sickness. She even had to go into the hospital to get IV fluids, twice, because she couldn’t keep anything down. The doctors said it was common with twin pregnancies, something about double the hormones.
“I’m literally only like a week and a half into the second trimester. Give it some time.” She mumbles, already halfway asleep.
Common or not, Kessler has been a wreck and I know they’ve had a few disagreements about Lucy continuing to work, even if her workload has lightened a bit since going down to part time. Thankfully, since starting the second trimester, her nausea has calmed down a bit, but she’s still in a perpetual state of exhaustion.
Soft snores erupt from where Lucy has taken residence in the oversized chair. Kessler’s worried face transforms into one of pure adoration as he looks down at his now sleeping fiancée and places a kiss on the top of her head. “Can you text Mom and let her know we’ll be over as soon as Lucy is up? I want her to get some sleep. I would do it, but my phone is currently under Sleeping Beauty.”
“Sure thing Broski.” I take my phone out and open my text thread to my mom.
Me
Lucy just fell asleep. Kessler wanted me to let you know we’ll be over when she wakes up.
Mom
Not a problem. She needs her sleep.
That’s the first text she’s sent me that hasn’t had the tone of yelling since this morning when she found out what happened. Maybe she’s calmed down after having some time to mull it over.
Mom
And don’t think you’re off the hook Mister, this is just a minor delay in our talk.
