Chapter_32_Swimming

A little weed gummy might be just the thing Wyatt needs at this point.

The dude is always too sober.

I just hope he doesn’t need me to help navigate his gummy weed experience like a spiritual guide walking someone through an ayahuasca retreat. He’s such a lightweight.

I down the rest of my pi?a colada and order a club sandwich and fries from the pool guy.

What am I doing?

This whole day makes me miss Wyatt. We both love a pi?a colada and pool fries. This isn’t supposed to be our alone time. It’s supposed to be our alone time together.

None of this is landing the same without him.

With Wyatt seeing his dad today, I’m missing my own dad, so I give him a call. Of course both of my parents answer on FaceTime.

“Are you coming back to see us again?” my dad answers in lieu of a “hello.”

“Massi. Where are you now, sweetie?” my mom asks, stretching her neck so her head is in the frame.

My whole body relaxes and I smile. Seeing my parents always fills me with joy. “You’re not going to believe this,” I say.

“Don’t tell us you already had the baby,” my mom says with a slightly panicked look on her face.

“Noooo. Not yet. There was a minute when Flora thought they were going to induce her early but they decided not to,” I say, squeezing more sunblock onto my legs and rubbing it in.

“So what aren’t we going to believe?” Dad asks.

“We’re in Las Vegas. Wyatt found some letters from his dad that his mom had been hoarding in the basement, so he’s going to meet him for the first time since he was a kid.”

“Wow. That’s a lot to take in,” my dad says.

“His dad lives in Vegas?” my mom asks.

“Yep. We’re doing a stopover before we head to Palm Springs.”

“When was the last time they saw each other?” Mom wonders.

“Wyatt hasn’t seen him since he was like seven years old.”

“I hope he’s as loving of a person as Wyatt,” my dad says, sounding and looking a little tired. “It’s never too late to try and connect with family.”

My thoughts shift to my dad’s health. “What’s happening with you, Dad? Any talk with the doctors?”

My dad sighs and my mom chimes in before he can speak. “We’re seeing the specialist downtown next week. Most likely the surgery will be the week after that.”

I slide my sunglasses off as the gravity of this sets in. My dad sees I’m silent for a beat too long.

“Don’t worry, Massi. I’ll be okay and the best thing is I’ll be fully recovered in time to meet your baby,” Dad says.

“I know,” I say, hopeful.

“You can be a little afraid but don’t worry so much, kiddo. Your job, your relationship with Wyatt, the baby. Even me. It’s all going to be okay, okay?” he says. “Remember what I said to you in front of the museum? Believe in yourself because everyone else does.”

“The old man is right,” my mom says as we all let out a laugh.

“What are you doing while Wyatt meets his dad?” Dad asks.

“Are you outside?” my mom asks.

“I’m at the pool actually.” I flip the camera view on FaceTime and scan the pool area for them to see.

“Looks like heaven,” my mom says.

“What are you doing talking to us old geezers? Go get a tan for us,” my dad says.

“We love you, Massi,” Mom says.

“Love you both back. Keep me posted about the doctor,” I say as we all blow air kisses and hang up.

I put my phone back under my towel and across the pool I spot a woman who looks about seven months pregnant. A pool attendant leads her and her two young kids into a reserved cabana. The size of her floppy hat rivals her oversized glasses, and she looks like she sprang from the pages of a fashion magazine.

Diamond earrings sparkling from afar. Gold Cartier bracelets. A white cotton linen maternity beach shirt over a white bikini. She takes her shirt off to reveal a belly so big, it looks like she’s pregnant with an entire rugby team.

I’m entranced by her.

I watch as she gets her kids ready for the pool, applying sunscreen on them, slipping on their inflatable arm floaties and ordering lunch. It’s an expert move only a seasoned parent could properly execute.

Will I ever be that kind of parent?

Just as her kids are about to step into the shallow end, their mom calls them back over. The woman lies back on her lounge chair and draws them both in close. She puts their tiny hands on her large belly as they feel the movements of the baby, their future sibling, all of them giggling together with glee.

I remember the conversation Wyatt and I had: the baby bump is that elusive experience in our journey that we never really had.

I’m momentarily heartbroken, a feeling that directly contrasts with the golden sun and glistening swimming pool.

There will be no feeling our baby kick before they’re born, I think.

Soon, the pool guy brings my club sandwich and fries, along with a postcard for discounts on various Vegas activities. I bite into my sandwich and scan the postcard.

I spot something that makes my heart race and palms go sweaty. Fear sets in and I realize my lazy pool day is about to take an unexpected turn.