21. Learner's Permit
The book was the size of two triple-stack cheeseburgers with a mound of French fries on the top. Perhaps some ketchup as well…
Elizabeth's stomach growled loudly. With a glance toward the door and a fleeting wonder at what could be keeping Will from coming back with supper, she patted the growing lump on her waist.
"Come on, now. I'm only three months along. I can handle this." She informed herself firmly. Her eyes fell back on the book and it's thickly black lettered title, You and Your Child.
Mustering her fortitude, Elizabeth turned the cover and read the first sentence. "You, as the expectant-parent, are about to embark on one of the most miraculous journeys of life."
The door clicked open and her head shot up, the world of child rearing utterly forgotten.
Will appeared a moment later, bearing several sacks of groceries. He managed to set them all down on the counter before he looked up at her, a puzzled gleam to his eyes. "Elizabeth? What's bruschetta?" He held up the lengthy shopping list she had given him.
"Oh, I don't know. It sounded good though." She shrugged. "Did you get the feta cheese?"
"They didn't have any. Isn't mozzarella the same thing, anyway?"
Elizabeth would have answered, as a true cheese enthusiast, but she had found a packet of carrots and was munching away at them.
Will gave her an oddly amused look but refrained from commenting. "I'll just put these away then." He began gathering up the produce and restocking their sadly empty refrigerator.
Contented, Elizabeth moved back to her seat and the book she still had to read, even though a piece of strawberry shortcake sounded divine. The thick tome creaked as she reopened the cover and forced her eyes back to the page and the words inscribed on it.
And lost her interest on the second word.
"How long is this thing anyway?" she muttered, flipping back to the Table of Contents.
Forty chapter titles stared back at her.
"This is ridiculous." She huffed. "Do you need a learner's permit to be pregnant?"
Will's head appeared from over the counter. "Elizabeth, what are cactus apples?"