2.7 Five and a Half Months
"Good, breathe, shoulders Melanie," Fanny directs as she leads the advanced ballet class.
"And relax. Thank you everyone. Remember, the summer celebration is coming up next week, so that's what we'll be rehearsing. If you need costume alterations, please bring them to Truly and tell her to put them on my tab."
Michelle walks into the studio carrying baby Emma on her hip.
"Well you don't look good," Fanny says unsympathetically.
"Babysitting is awful…" Michelle has large bags under her eyes and looks as though she hasn't brushed her hair in days.
"Why don't you let me take her until Nanette gets here?" Fanny asks, grabbing the toddler, who is trying to squirm out of the woman's grasp. "You can go take a shower and get yourself together."
"Can I take a nap?" Michelle asks hopefully.
"No time."
"But I'm so tired," she whines.
"We have errands to run this afternoon. There's a show next week."
"Okay… I'll take a shower, just be careful with her," Michelle warns, "she's crawling like crazy and she'll grab anything in her reach."
"I can handle it. Why don't you take a long bath instead of a shower? It might make you feel better."
Michelle slowly walks out of the studio, hand on her back.
"You're doing a great job keeping her busy," Fanny whispers to Emma. She giggles and squeals back at her.
…
Michelle sinks deeply into the bubbles of the bathtub. All the curtains are drawn and it's dark and peaceful. She thinks about where the baby is going to go. She thought he could just have a crib and a little play space for a while, but Emma's only nine months and she's already crawling around the whole place.
"What are we going to do?" she asks, looking at her swollen belly. 5 and a half months… she thinks. It pokes out from the bathwater like a balloon. She suddenly feels her stomach rumbling. No, that's not it. It's not a hunger pang either. She thinks the baby's turned into a flock of butterflies when she realizes that it's moving! She jumps out of the bath, splashing water all over the floor. She grabs a big towel and throws it around her soaking body. She runs into the house yelling, "Fanny! Fanny!"
"What?!" Fanny jumps up in a panic. "Is something wrong?"
Michelle takes Fanny's hand and places it on her stomach where the butterflies had been. Nothing.
"No, I swear it was moving." Michelle insists, "Maybe if I jump up and down a bit…" She wiggles around and Fanny laughs at her.
"What?"
"It's like a Buddha-belly dance."
"Come on, that's not fair. I feel like it's grown so much just this week."
"That's how it works."
"I feel like a hippo."
"You look great."
"I don't believe you."
"Come on, we're going shopping. Get some clothes on."
"I can't Fanny; I'm exhausted. I haven't slept in a week. I have heartburn, and my back hurts, and I just can't get comfortable."
"That's why we should go shopping. You need maternity stuff. You're busting out of all those stretchy pants."
"I don't need maternity things…" Michelle leaves and goes to lie down in her house.
…
She tosses and turns, trying to find a spot that isn't completely impossible to stay in. She sits up, frustrated, and realizes that she must have gotten a little sleep. It's dark out and there's something on her couch. She gets up and goes to check what it is. It looks like a giant potato sack. There's a note attached that reads:
"Dear Michelle,
This is a pregnancy pillow.
It will change your life.
Love, Fanny. :)
Michelle takes the large pillow skeptically and crawls back into bed.
Michelle falls asleep, satisfied. She dreams about her future. She's there with a toddler, and there's someone holding her hand. He's tall– taller than her. Who is it? she thinks. I can't see his face.
…
"How did you sleep last night?" Fanny asks.
"I can't tell you how much I love you right now" Michelle smirks. "Fanny come here! Quick!" She says hurriedly. Fanny rushes over to the other side of the kitchen counter and Michelle takes her hands. She places them on her stomach, and Fanny smiles.
"Oh, he's strong," she says happily, "my grandson…"
