Scrapping Plans

by Rebeca Seitz

  “Come on, Ken. You know better than to mess with a Joy dinner.”

  “Oh, all right.” Kendra reluctantly got up from her chair at the bar. “But there better be something good on TV to keep me out of here for the next ten minutes.”

  “We’ll find a rerun of Jon and Kate Plus 8 for you.” Tandy threw an arm across Kendra’s shoulders. “Or maybe even Mythbusters.”

  “Now you’re speaking my language.”

  “Hey, where’s Darin?” Tandy led them out of the kitchen and back down the hallway to the living room, Clay trailing in their wake.

  “He’s outside with Scott, talking lawn maintenance.”

  “You’re kidding.”

  “I wish. I had no idea the man—either of them—knew so much about grass. I don’t think it’s healthy to discuss greenery that much. They’ve been out there for a while now.”

  “I’ll go see what’s going on,” Clay offered. “You ladies park yourselves in front of the TV.”

  “Roger that,” Tandy said. “Have fun talking weeds and send Meg inside when she gets here, okay?”

  How I’m going to sit in a room alone with my sister and not tell her I’m pregnant is beyond me. Tandy forced baby thoughts from her mind as they entered the living room. She began casting about for the remote, ready to find a source of conversation other than themselves.

  “I haven’t seen you much lately. Everything okay?” Kendra settled onto the paisley-patterned couch and picked up a striped pillow.

  “Oh, sure. It’s been a little nuts at the diner and everything, but you know I’d tell you if anything was going on.”

  “I think this is the least I’ve seen you since you lived in Orlando. You sure everything’s fine? Look me in the eye and tell me everything’s fine.” Kendra sat up straight on the couch and leveled a gaze at Tandy.

  “I’m fine, Ken. Call off your attack dogs. Sheesh.”

  Kendra sank back into the cushions and pulled her feet up underneath. “Hmm, I’m not sure I’m buyin’, but I’ll let it go for now.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Uh-huh.” Kendra didn’t sound convinced at all, but Tandy took an inward sigh of relief anyway. At least Ken wasn’t hounding her to death. All she had to do was make it to dinner.

  And pray Joy and Scott were pregnant.

  She took a deep breath and pushed the remote button. Please, God, let them be pregnant.

  “You realize that, whatever it is, I’m going to find out eventually.”

  Kendra’s tone sounded so much like Momma’s that Tandy smiled in spite of her worry at being found out. “Yeah, I know.”

  “So why don’t you just tell me and get it over with?”

  “I thought you were letting this go.”

  “I did. I’ve decided to pick it back up. I’m female; I can change my mind. It’s among the rights we’re given at birth.”

  Tandy tore her eyes from the television to take in her sister’s face. “Let it go for just a little while, Ken. Just until tonight.”

  Kendra stared at her for a full minute—a minute in which Tandy wondered if she shouldn’t just go ahead and tell the best friend she’d ever had in life—then said, “Okay.”

  “Okay,” Tandy echoed and turned back to the screen. “Tell me about the wedding. Were you able to get into St. Frederick’s?”

  “I think we might just pull it off. I told you Darin’s family members are all Lutheran, right?”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  “Well, evidently the mother church of the denomination in the western hemisphere will allow us into their church since Darin’s family has devoted their lives to Martin Luther. I don’t get it since Luther himself told those who agreed with him specifically not to form a separate denomination.”

  “Will you have to do anything during the service that you wouldn’t do here?”

  “It doesn’t look like that, no. We’ll have prayers, communion, vows, the normal wedding day stuff. Oh, and we’ve found this fabulous organist who’s known all over the island and has even performed here in the States at some prestigious concert halls. He’s going to play at our wedding.”

  “That sounds cool!”

  “I know! Darin’s totally jazzed about it.” Kendra twirled a spiral curl around her finger.

  “Have you talked to Sara about the dresses?”

  “Yep. She’s combing through the catalogs and finding me an island-type dress this week or next. We should be able to order them, alter if necessary, and pack them up in plenty of time for the trip in October.”

  “You make sure I see those dresses before you go placing any order.” Since certain styles aren’t exactly flattering to the pregnant female form.

  “You bet.”

  “I’m really glad you decided to do the island thing. It’ll be fun to take a vacation with a purpose!”

  “Yeah, and it makes the honeymoon even easier since we’ll already be there in the islands. Darin found a resort over on Virgin Gorda that’s spectacular. White sand, private cabanas, open-air dining, even dining right there on the beach!”

  “They’ve got a restaurant on the beach?”

  “They do, but they’ve also got this option where they bring out a table onto the beach at night and set up an intimate, personal dinner right there.”

  “Wow, swanky.”

  “Yep. I’m totally stoked about it. Darin’s parents went there a few years ago and say it’s the most relaxing place they’ve ever been.”

  “Maybe Clay and I should head over there at some point.”

  “And crash my honeymoon?” Kendra drew back, mock outrage painted across her pretty face. “You wouldn’t dare.”

  “You said ‘private cabanas,’ right? You wouldn’t even know we were there. And when am I going to get the chance again in my life to go to the islands and enjoy some relaxation?” Especially with a baby on the way. Do they even allow babies at resorts like that?

  “I guess it would be okay if you stayed in a cabana down the beach from ours.” Kendra flipped the curl over her shoulder. “You know, it could be kind of fun having you there. We could maybe have dinner together one night and go snorkeling or something. Clay and Darin are friends anyway, so they probably won’t care.”

  “So long as you keep your nights free for Darin.”

  “And middays.”

  Tandy held up a hand. “TMI, Ken. I don’t want to hear about that much detail of your honeymoon.”

  Kendra laughed and threw a pillow across the room. “You’re just jealous that you won’t be the only one enjoying newlywed bliss anymore.”

  Forget newlywed bliss. I’m in for morning sickness now.

  “Yep,” was all she could muster.

  “You ladies having fun in here?” Joy’s lilting voice came from the doorway. “Dinner is nearly ready. Can you round up your men, please?”

  Tandy stood. “Is everybody else here?”

  “They are. Meg’s in the kitchen with Daddy and Zelda. James, Hannah, and Savannah are all upstairs playing with Play-Doh and watching Lord of the Beans.”

  “You let Meg near the food?” Kendra shot up from the couch and made a beeline for the doorway. “She’s eating the odds and ends!”

  “For the thousandth time,” Tandy heard Joy say as she trotted after Kendra, “there are no odds and ends.”

  Tandy chuckled and went to get the boys.

  Thirty-Six

  They all sat down around Joy’s massive dining room table. Steam rose from various bowls, artfully placed at strategic intervals along the white-linen-covered surface. Silver forks and knives gleamed in the light from the overhead chandelier. Lyrical piano notes fell from the speakers hidden in the corners of the ceiling. Daddy and Zelda settled into “their” spots, sharing the warm gaze of an engaged couple.

  Tandy couldn’t envision a better setting to share her news with the family.

  Please, please let her be pregnant. I don’t think I can wait any longer. She studied Joy’s face, which seemed lit fro
m within by a serene glow. That could either be a pregnancy or a new facial cream. Tandy bit her lip. It looked an awful lot like pregnancy glow.

  Family chatter swirled around her as Tandy circled the table to take her place by Clay, who had begun amassing his salad. Lettuce leaves bowed beneath the weight of cherry tomatoes, onions, egg bits, bacon, croutons, carrot slivers, snow peas, and red cabbage shreds.

  “Think you’ve got enough salad there?” Tandy chided.

  “I’m just getting started, honey.” Clay leaned over and whispered, “Sympathy weight—remind me to explain it later.”

  Tandy wrinkled her brow and made a mental note to find out about sympathy weight later. She had just reached for the lettuce when Scott tapped the side of his glass with his knife.

  “Sorry to interrupt your salad-building and conversation, but I wanted to make certain we start this meal off right. Jack, will you say the blessing, please?”

  Daddy bowed his head as forks scraped against plates and settled.

  “Heavenly Father, we thank You for this gift of family and the privilege of coming together to share a meal. Please bless the food we’re about to receive as well as the hands that prepared it. In Your Son’s name we pray. Amen.”

  “Amen,” echoed around the table.

  Again Scott stood. “And in the interest of staying on the right track for a perfect meal, Joy and I would like to make an announcement.” He gazed down at Joy, who only had eyes for him as well.

  Yes! That’s pregnancy glow if ever I saw it.

  “Dr. Murray informed us today that the IVF procedure was successful. We’re four weeks pregnant now, so it appears we’re once again riders on the pregnancy roller coaster.”

  Immediately the sisters jumped up and surrounded Joy in hugs, while the men slapped Scott on the back and shook hands. Tandy’s heart felt as if it would pop right out of her chest with joy and excitement, both at hearing Joy’s news and being freed to share her own. She squeezed Joy, then hurried back to her chair and snagged Clay’s hand under the table.

  He squeezed and nodded once while they waited for the words of congratulations to subside. Then he stood and tapped his own glass as Scott had done. “Since we’re off to such a fabulous start this evening, I thought we might keep the ball rolling and let you know, Jack, that you’ll be getting two grandbabies next year. Tandy and I are expecting as well.”

  “You sly dog!” Kendra jumped up so quickly her chair tipped over. “I knew something was up!” She was around the table before Tandy knew it, enveloping her in a sister hug. A second later, Joy and Meg’s arms joined Kendra’s.

  Clay enjoyed the back slaps and hand-shaking that, seconds before, had been bestowed upon Scott.

  “How far along are you?” Meg let go and headed back to her seat.

  “About six weeks. We didn’t want to say anything until we knew about Joy and Scott’s IVF.” She met Joy’s eyes. “I so wanted your IVF to work. Clay and I have been praying every day that you and I would get to walk this road together. I can’t believe we’re actually pregnant at the same time!”

  Joy shook her head. “Me neither. This is wonderful!”

  “For you two, maybe,” Zelda broke in. “Having one hormonal pregnant woman in the family is hard enough. Having two might just be the end of the rest of us.”

  Tandy stuck out her tongue. “Yeah, yeah, you’re stoked about being a grandma and you know it.”

  Zelda ducked her head and stabbed her fork into her salad.

  Zelda’s going to learn sooner or later to share her emotions with us.

  Things quieted back down, and talk of cribs, nurseries, and making it to the magical second trimester soon completely overshadowed all other topics.

  * * *

  SHE’S PREGNANT TOO. I cannot decide how I feel about that exactly. Of course I’m thrilled. Tandy and Clay will be excellent parents, and it’s incredible that God has blessed their marriage in this way in such a short time frame.

  But I also feel a little cheated. Is that as selfish as it sounds? I won’t be the pregnant sister as I’d assumed. I’ll be one of the pregnant sisters. I’ve never been the prominent one of the four of us, and that’s been all right with me for my entire life. Let Kendra have the spotlight with her beautiful artistry and kaleidoscope of colors. Or Tandy, with her expert opinions and zest for life. I’ve been content to be a Sinclair sister.

  Yet I admit I looked forward to standing apart from them for a few months. To being the one everyone wanted an update from. Sharing this experience with Tandy … hmm. I think sharing it with Meg would have been easier.

  But God works everything for good in His timing, and He knew this would happen before Tandy or I entered this world. He has a purpose in this, whatever it may be. Which means I need to make my peace with it and enjoy sharing this experience with my sister rather than seeing her as robbing me of something.

  She’s also farther along than I am, which means she’ll make it to the finish line first. Her child will get attention before mine.

  Oh, I do not like feeling this selfish. Why can I not simply be grateful that we’re both being blessed by God with children?

  And if I allow my inmost fears to be voiced, I’m scared to death that Tandy will be able to get to that second trimester and I won’t.

  I cannot help but clutch my stomach and hope it is enough to hang onto this child—that, and the faith and petitions that Scott and I send toward God constantly. God, please, please allow me to carry this child to term.

  And please allow the same for my sister.

  Thirty-Seven

  Southern sun beat down on the blue hairs as sparrows and swallows swooped through a clear blue sky. The women moved stiffly, shuffling along as quickly as possible from car to church door.

  “Whew.” Zelda fanned her face. “July in the South is nothing to mess with, girls.”

  Tandy turned away from the mirror and patted her small belly. You’re telling me. Thank heaven I’m only fifteen weeks. I can’t imagine being hugely pregnant in all this humidity. That’d be torture.”

  “And your dress wouldn’t fit,” Kendra teased.

  “By the way, I haven’t told you, but you girls look lovely today. I’m honored you would stand beside me at this wedding.”

  “Oh, hush now. We wouldn’t have it any other way.” Meg inspected the back of Zelda’s wedding dress—a fitted ivory suit with a long skirt that had a kick of ruffle at the end. The ruffle was edged in slender beads that sparkled as they caught the light. Her pearl pumps were edged in the same beads.

  “That’s right.” Joy smoothed a wrinkle in her skirt. “We may have taken a while to come around, but you should know by now that once you’re a Sinclair, you’re always a Sinclair.”

  Tandy slipped on her shoes. “And that means you’ve always got us at your back.”

  “Well,” Zelda smiled at each of then in turn, “I’m grateful and excited to be a part of your family.”

  “And here I thought you had gotten to know us.” Kendra wagged a finger. “Don’t forget being a Sinclair means you’ve gotta put up with us too. It ain’t all sunshine and roses around here all the time.”

  Zelda nodded. “Oh, don’t you worry. I distinctly recall two girls determined to get rid of me with a rudeness campaign.”

  Tandy ducked her head. “Not one of my brighter moments.”

  “No.” Zelda reached over and put a finger under Tandy’s chin, lifting her face. “But it did show me how much you love your daddy. And being that loved by your children is a blessing in and of itself. You’ll find out soon enough when that baby gets here.”

  Tandy patted her stomach. “I suppose I will.”

  The church bells rang, spurring them to action.

  “There’s my cue!” Zelda pulled her veil over her eyes— a short piece, only a few inches long, a la Jackie Kennedy. “Let’s go have a wedding!”

  The sisters filed out of the bride’s chamber at Grace Church and down the blue-carpeted
hallway to the sanctuary doors.

  Tandy remembered the day—not so long ago—she’d stood in front of these doors herself, waiting to become Mrs. Clay Kelner. And now here she stood again, carrying Clay’s child. The thought rocked her. Life’s relentless, faithful path continued, no matter the circumstance. Whether she chose to live in Orlando and allow her intended life to pass her by, life would have gone on. Whether Joy’s IVF had worked or not, life still would have gone on.

  Even though Momma worshipped forever now with the saints in heaven and today Daddy married another woman, life goes on.

  Maybe I do have a little wisdom to share with this tiny one.

  Ushers pulled the doors back, and Tandy caught a glimpse of Daddy waiting at the end of the aisle in his navy-blue suit. Happiness bathed his face like sunshine on a spring day. Tandy winked at him, blew a kiss over her shoulder to Zelda, and stepped into the sanctuary.

  The blue hairs had turned out in full force, fanning themselves with paper fans from Ransom Funeral Home. Most of them wore disapproving looks, but a few bore genuine, if small, smiles. Tandy briefly wondered if the frowns came more from jealousy—not everyone got a second love in life—than outright disapproval. She dismissed the thought almost as soon as she’d had it.

  She made it to the front of the sanctuary, took in Clay’s smile from beside Daddy, and cut left to take her place on the bride’s side.

  Kendra, Joy, and Meg followed the path she’d blazed. Savannah followed Meg tossing flower petals along the aisle.

  Tandy clutched her bouquet of mixed wildflowers and daydreamed about the nursery. They’d find out in two weeks if she’d be investing in pink or blue paint. She hoped it was blue. Clay would be a thrill to watch, teaching their son how to throw a ball and slide into first base without breaking his leg.

  She hoped without breaking his leg.

  Not that a little girl wouldn’t be perfectly fine as well. It’s just a boy would be rough and tumble, playing in the dirt, jumping in mud puddles, chasing after frogs—all the things Tandy wished she could have done during childhood.

  And the nursery could be decorated in a baseball theme. Or a complete sports theme! Footballs, soccer balls, baseballs, basketballs. They’d amassed quite the collection of Pottery Barn Kids and Land of Nod and Hanna Andersson catalogs. Tandy lost entire hours paging through them, loving the little rugs and toy bins and diaper changers.