Page 55 of Slap Shot Surprise
She pointed a finger at me. “Don’t judge.”
We passed a coffee shop she said she frequented, a gift boutique owned by an aunt, and a wine bar called Lush, which she looked at and sighed. “That is where I used to sip sparkling rosé on the patio, but those days are gone for a while.”
Again, it hit me that she was required to make all the physical sacrifices and bear all the weight—literally and figuratively—of this pregnancy. “Mabel,” I said as we started walking again. “I wish there was more I could do for you.”
She glanced at me in surprise. “Like what?”
“I don’t know. I’m going to send you some money rightaway, and then set up monthly payments, but I feel so guilty I can’t do more.”
“Don’t,” she said, looking straight ahead again. “I’m grateful for the financial help, but other than that, I’m fine, Joe. I’m even getting excited. When I saw that little heartbeat today, it just reinforced my decision. I want this baby, and I’ll be a good mom.”
“I know you will,” I said quickly. “I wish I felt the same way about myself as a dad.”
“I have confidence in you.”
“You do?”
“Sure. Look how you rose to the challenge of putting the puck in the net,” she pointed out, elbowing me in the side. “Nailed it. You’re obviously an overachiever.”
“Very funny,” I said as she laughed at me. “I wish my parents would see it that way, but I have a feeling they won’t.”
“Are you really nervous about telling them?” she asked as we reached my rented SUV.
“A little,” I confessed. “I’m a grown man, but I still care what my mom and dad think of me. I’ve always looked up to my dad, and I hate the thought that this will lower his opinion of me. And my mom is going to cry, I guarantee it.”
“Because she’ll be upset?”
“Because she’ll think this baby will not be in her life.”
Mabel thought for a moment, chewing on her bottom lip. “What if I came with you to tell them?”
I blinked. “You’d do that?”
“I could, if you thought it would help. Maybe we can sort of reassure them that this was no one’s fault and we’re going to co-parent the best we can. And I will make it clear they are welcome to be part of this baby’s life—in fact, I’d love that.”
“They’d love that too.” Impulsively, I threw my arms around her, lifting her right off her feet. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” She seemed a little flustered as I set her down. “The only problem is, I have to be at work tomorrow, and you have to be on an early flight. So why don’t I follow you down to Traverse City in my own car? That way you don’t have to drive me back.”
“Fuck that.” I shook my head. “I will drive you back tonight. It’s the least I can do.”
TWELVE
mabel
On the drive downto Traverse City, Joe and I worked out a tentative plan for his financial support during the pregnancy and once the baby was born. He was more than generous, offering to cover not only my mortgage and medical care, but additional funds to cover living expenses. I knew not every man in his situation would respond the way he had, and it made me even more curious about his parents. They’d obviously raised him well.
“Tell me more about your mom and dad,” I said.
“Well, my mom, Coco, used to be a wedding planner, but now she works at the restaurant with my dad. She’s the best. My brothers and I put her through so much hell growing up, it’s a miracle she didn’t lose her mind. She’s definitely going to try to feed you. What she loves most in the world is taking care of people.”
“What about your dad?”
“What my dad loves most in the world is my mom.”
“Awww.”
“I mean, he loves his kids too, but he’s crazy about mymom. Family is everything to him. When we were growing up, he never missed a game, a school play, a swim meet...” Joe’s voice trailed off, and he was silent for a moment. Was he thinking about what kind of father he’d be? “But his restaurant is important to him too. And he loves cooking at home. Both my parents do. We had great big Sunday dinners, always.”
