Maggie had arrived in the building for a week. She had met her neighbor the first day and he had seemed charming to her. He hadn't been very comfortable with her, but he tried not to show it and helped her. He could have been content to watch what was happening and go home, but he didn't. He had even offered his help. She didn't know if it was because she was pregnant or just out of courtesy. However, she was more inclined to the second hypothesis.
She had found a job in a small bookstore near her home. Her boss was an old man named Dale. He told her that he had been retired for a few years but he had become bored. So he decided to open a bookstore. It wasn't very big but he had enough customers to make money. He had put up a poster to say he was looking for help and she jumped at the chance.
She had just arrived in Atlanta and didn't know anyone. She had to leave her father's farm and come to take refuge here. Her father had helped her move in at the very beginning but had to leave quickly to take care of his fields.
A routine had settled. She got up, took a shower, drank a hot cocoa with toast, finished getting ready and went to work. Every night, she tried to assemble a piece of furniture but after a difficult success with the coffee table, she gave up. He thought back to her neighbor who had offered his help and wondered if she should accpet.
For the moment, she was at work and was putting books on the shelves thinking about Glenn. She was trying to decide, but as soon as she found a reason to ask him she found one fot not doing it.
- Are you sure you're okay ? Dale's voice sounded behind her.
She jumped. It seemed to become a habit and it started to annoy her strongly.
- Why ?
- Look at the shelf.
She looked up and realized what she had done. She had mixed chlidren's books, plays and crime novels together. As if she didn't have enough problems, she had to mess up at work. She couldn't be fired. She knew that in her condition it would be almost impossible to find a job, especially without a husband.
- I'm really sorry, I'll put everything where it belongs, she apologized quickly.
- It's nothing, it was even funny to see you so concentrated. You kept raisin and lowering your eyebrows, Dale laughed. But it looks like you have a problem, do you want to talk about it ?
- I don't know…
- Usually it means yes. So ?
She sighed and put the books in her hands down before sitting.
- I just moved into a new building but I didn't have time to put the furniture together. I tried alone but I can't do it. And there is this guy who offered to help me. But I don't want to disturb him, he surely has other thingd to do. He must have forgotten. I mean, he saw I was pregnant and said that out of politeness.
- Maggie, you think too much. He made this suggestion ?
- Yes.
- In this case, you can go see him and ask if he was sincere. What do you lose if he tells you no ?
- Nothing.
- Exactly. Now, finish storing those books and go home.
- But I finish in two hours.
- I know, but there is no one here so I think I can fend for myself until closing.
- Thank you.
She got up and began to put everything away, putting in its place what had been misplaced.
– – – – –
She had talked to Glenn and he agreed to hlp her. She may have been a little upset for no reason when he tried to overprotect her, and in hindsight she found it extremely nice of him. Now she couldn't wait until he came to assemble the furnitures so that she could finally feel comfortable. She couldn't stand to live in the middle of boxes anymore.
Glenn had told her he was overwhelmed until the end of the week and they decided that they would do that during the weekend. In the meantime, she spent her free time on sites for expecting mothers. The week passed quickly and Saturday arrived. She was still on one of those sites while waiting for Glenn when she came across an article about miscarriage that caused her to panic.
She knew better than anyone else that it existed and her hyperative hormones had decided to play her a trick. In a few minutes she was in tears, hyperventilating. She was so shaken that she didn't hear the bell ring the first time. When it rang again, she slowly got up and heard her name through the door. The person calling her seemed slightly panicked.
She opened and came face to face with Glenn. He stared at her blankly without knowing what to do. But then, he entered the apartment and closed the door behind him. He took her hand and led her to the only lounge chair before heading for the kitchen. He took a towel that was out and moistened it before returning to her.
- Maggie, please, ou have to calm down. Breathe slowly and deeply.
She was trying to listen to him and do as he said.
- I'll put the cold cloth on your foreheadd, okay ?
She nodded weakly and he did what he had just said. She was beginning to regain control over her breathing. Glenn was kneeling in front of her and talking solftly. After a moment, he removed the towel and sat down against the wall. She dropped to the ground and leaned on him. He didn't know what to do. Clumsily, he laid his arms around her and she squeezed him back.
They stayed like that for long minutes before she stopped crying. She shifted slightly from Glenn and silence reigned.
- I'm sorry, Maggie said so low that Glenn wasn't sure he'd heard right.
- Why ? he asked, surprised.
- I shouldn't have been like that, I was so panicked and I don't…
- No! No ! It's nothing. But what happened ?
- Nothing, she said uncertainly.
- I don't think so.
- I… I was on this site and there was this article on mascarriages. I read it and… and… what if my baby is unhealthy ? I didn't stop lifting heavy objects and I probably stress too much and…
- Calm down, said Glenn. I'm shure your baby's fine.
- Maybe not ! I haven't been to a doctor for two months ! There may be something wrong and I don't even know it !
- So, make an appointment.
He handed her his phone and she grabbed it slowly. She started by looking for an obstetrician on the Internet before dialing the number. It rang several times before a secretary answered.
- Hello, I would like to make an appoitment with Dr. Carson please… Yes… I can Friday or Saturday… Okay, thank you… Goodbye.
She hung up and handed the phone back to the young man. She gave him a small smile that he gave back and looked at her hands. Glenn looked around to see the number of boxes around him. There three big ones in the room that had the furniture in it and severela little ones that had to contain Maggie's personnal belongings.
- Good, said Glenn. Now that it's sttled, we will be able to take care of all of that.
- Maybe we could eat before, suggested Maggie in a very small voice.
- Of course, laughed Glenn. I will order pizza.
- Thank you.
He phone while watching Maggie. She looked down at her belly that she caressed with one hand. Glenn could see that it wasn't easy for her to be pregnant without anyone to help, but she seemed to love her child more than anything and the serene face she had when she touched her abdomen was comforting. They waited while discussing a little. When the bell rang, Glenn got up and opened the door. Maggie had risen too and followed him.
- Hi Glenn ! exclaimed the girl delivreing the pizza. How are you ?
- Hi tara ! Good and you ?
- Great. What are you doing here ? You live next door.
Maggie listened to the coversation and felt a hint of jealousy when she realized the other woman knew Glenn. She then came a little closer.
- I know but…
- Oh ! This would not be thee apartment of your new neigbor ? It looks like you don't waste time.
- What ? No, that's not what you think. I'm here to help her set her furniture up.
- If you say so.
- I am telling you there is nothing.
Maggie smiled and held back a laugh that was trying to escape.
- Thanks Tara ! See you soon.
- Oh ! Hello ! exclaimed the girl, seeing Maggie. I was just elivering the pizza. I wish you a good day, have fun !
She winked at Glenn and walked slowly down the stairs before disappearing completely. He was speechless at the attitude that Tara just had. Of course, coming from her he should have known. He colsed the door and turned to Maggie who had a big smile on her lips.
- Do you often order pizzas ? she asked.
- No, why ?
- The pizza delivery woman knows your name and where you live…
- Oh ! No, it's just that we work together.
- Oh okay. You comin' ? I don't like cold pizzas.
They returned to the living room and sat down against the wall. They began to eat in silence. But soon the discussed about various things. The meal was spent in bursts of laughter and they finished eating fast. Glenn stood up and held out his hands for Maggie. He helped her up and let go of her hands.
- Let's start !