"There's still a long time before Dietrich and Esther's baby arrives," Mabel said, folding a bib and setting it in a box. "You sure we should do this now?"
"Just so we don't lose it, honey," Tully replied. "Hey, we might not have to send the box if they have a boy."
Mabel kept folding, then stopped, a scared look on her face. "Oh, dear."
"What?"
"They might have twins."
Tully grinned. "Poor Dietrich. Having twins. I don't think he's prepared for one, let alone two."
"Still, I'm happy for him and Esther," Mabel replied. "They'll be good parents."
"Definitely." Tully held up a pair of tiny shoes. "Remember when we put these on Eleanor for the first time when she started walking?"
"They were adorable. Auri hated them, though."
"All because she wanted ones that were blue. Do we still have the blue ones?"
"No. She wore those out pretty quickly. I had to throw them out once she outgrew them."
"Maybe we can find new ones and send them to Dietrich."
Mabel nodded.
The phone started ringing downstairs. Tully set the shoes in the box before heading out of the bedroom and down the stairs, where he found Eleanor had already picked up the phone.
"Hello?" Eleanor said. She listened then replied, "Actually, he's right here." She held out the phone, whispering, "It's Dietrich. He wants to talk to you."
"Alright. Thanks. Could you go help your mother pack the baby stuff?"
"I can." Eleanor disappeared upstairs.
Tully put the phone to his ear. "Hey, Dietrich. What's going on?"
"I need someone to talk to, someone who has experience with this," Dietrich said.
"Uh-oh. What happened?"
"When your wife was pregnant, was she ever… happy one moment and then really angry at you in the next for no clear reason?"
"Yeah. Lots of times."
"So it is not just me."
"Nope, and I'm sure Moffitt and Hitch got snapped at by their wives. It's normal."
"How did you… deal with it?"
"Well, don't snap back, for one. You didn't do that, did you?"
"No."
"Okay. Best thing to do is tell yourself that it's not gonna last forever—"
"Tully, I cannot put up with this for nine months."
"Just wait. Stay calm, take a deep breath, and ask her what she wants. You might get an answer, or you might get 'I don't know.' When you get 'I don't know,' say, 'Is there anything I can do to help you feel better?'"
"What if that does not work?"
"Keep calm. You'll just make things worse if you get frustrated, too."
"That is quite obvious."
"To be honest, I never go to that point."
"Tully, I was told to sleep in the greenhouse and I am afraid Esther will make good on that threat. I have never seen her so angry. It is like I have a flock of wet hens in the house!"
"You sure you didn't do anything?"
Dietrich was quiet for a moment. "I may have… made her tea wrong."
"Did you fix it?"
"No."
"Go fix it if you don't want to sleep in the greenhouse."
Mabel came downstairs, holding a taped box packed with baby clothes and supplies. "Is everything okay?" she asked.
Tully took the phone away from his mouth. "Esther's having mood swings and Dietrich made her tea wrong."
"Oh," Mabel said. "I don't miss that. Is Dietrich alright?"
"He's fine. He got threatened with having to sleep in his greenhouse, though. I told him to fix the tea ASAP."
"I hope that'll be enough. It's hard to picture Esther angry."
"It was hard to picture you angry."
"I never hurt you, did I?"
"No. I did my best to help." Tully gave his wife a kiss on the tip of her nose.
Dietrich's voice came through the phone. "I remade the tea. What do I do now? Do I leave it somewhere for Esther to find?"
"Then it'll get cold and she'll be even more mad. You'll go from wet hens to hornets," Tully said.
"I am honestly very afraid to talk to her right now."
"Where is she?"
"Storming around the backyard."
"Go give it to her."
"Alright." Dietrich drew in a breath. "It was nice knowing you, Tully."
"You're gonna be fine, Dietrich. Go give your wife the tea." Tully sighed and looked at Mabel. "I think we better expect calls like this for a while."
Mabel nodded. "He'll get the hang of it. It's only his first lesson."
"Yep."
They stood and waited for a few minutes, then Dietrich returned to the phone. "She accepted the tea. I think I am safe for now."
"Good job," Tully said.
Mabel started clapping.
"This seems very silly, but… thank you, Tully," Dietrich said.
"No problem. You need anything else?"
"I… am not sure right now. I still feel like I have made a huge mistake."
"I think you're doing just fine. I was scared when I found out I was going to be a dad. Eleanor wasn't planned, but when I learned she was on her way, I was determined to be the best I could be, and I made sure Mabel was safe, healthy, and comfortable the whole time. There're gonna be ups and downs, but you'll get through them. Don't be afraid to call any of us, even if it's late at night."
"I appreciate that, Tully. I… called you specifically because you have the most level head, and I feel like I need that right now."
"That's nice of you to say, Dietrich."
"You have also been married the longest, so you have more experience than I could ever hope to have."
"Well, it's been sixteen years for us," Tully said while putting an arm around Mabel. "You'll get to sixteen years in good time, Dietrich. We're all happy for you."
"I never thought I would be here a year ago. At times, it… still feels like something I do not deserve."
Tully stopped to think. Dietrich usually turns to Troy when he starts having thoughts like this, but he wants me, so I'm going to do my best. He covered the phone. "Could we be alone for a bit, honey?"
"Is he alright?" Mabel asked.
"I think his depression is trying to kick his butt. I'll do what I can to help him, so if you need me, I'll be right here."
"Okay." Mabel kissed Tully's cheek before leaving. "Good luck."
"Thanks." Tully waited until Mabel left. "Dietrich, you still there?"
"Yes," Dietrich replied.
"You feeling alright?"
"How is it possible that I know and understand you are all willing to help me, yet I feel completely alone and helpless? I feel like I have made a terrible decision, and that I am not going to be capable of giving my child a good life, and that I will be unable to help my wife during this whole process."
"I felt pretty alone, too, but I had Troy, Hitch, and Moffitt the whole time, and my own mama. I know your parents are… outta the picture, but you've got us."
"That is the problem. I know I have you, but something deep inside is refusing to acknowledge that."
"What is it that Troy always says? Don't let the demons in your head convince you of anything?"
"Something similar to that, yes."
"And right now, they're telling you that you're a bad husband and will be a bad father."
"Yes."
"Well, they're wrong. You're a great husband, and you'll be a great father."
"It will take time for me to accept that, but I am glad that you think so."
"Thanks. You feel better?"
"Somewhat."
"Want me to stay on the line?"
"I should not keep you from your family."
"You are part of my family."
"I mean your wife and children. I do not—"
Tully tensed when Dietrich abruptly cut off. "Hey, you there? Dietrich? You okay, buddy?"
"I am alright. I am currently being hugged by Esther. I will call you back if I need anything. Right now, I need to spend time with her."
"Okay. Glad you're alright."
"I apologize for startling you."
"Don't apologize. Go spend time with your wife. We'll talk later. So long, Dietrich." Tully waited for Dietrich to say his goodbyes and hang up, before putting the phone back on its hook.
It was a little after nine that night when Tully went to bed with Mabel, who was sitting up with a book propped against her knees. She looked over at Tully as he settled under the covers, and said, "Do you think Dietrich is going to be okay? He did sound pretty upset over the phone."
"He'll be alright," Tully replied. "He's scared and wondering if this was really a good idea, but once he holds his baby in his arms—" Tully smiled. "I remember holding Eleanor for the first time. I loved her so much. Still do, but that moment was special, welcoming her into the world."
"Dietrich is very good with babies. Remember he helped out Moffitt and Hitch with theirs when they were little and fussy?"
"Geez, poor Moffitt… I remember Troy, Hitch, and I were in Korea when Jules was born, so he was all by himself except for Dietrich. I think Dietrich was the only person keeping Moffitt from going insane because Jules simply refused to sleep. For whatever reason, babies fall asleep on Dietrich."
"Yeah, but then watch his own baby not respond in the same way," Mabel said.
"That'll break his heart."
The phone started ringing. Mabel gave Tully a confused look, while Tully said, "I'll get it. I have a feeling I know who it is."
He headed downstairs and picked up the phone. "Dietrich? You alright?"
"I need your recipe for fried chicken, now," Dietrich hissed.
"Granny told me not to tell anyone the recipe over the phone."
"Damn it, Tully, Esther wants that chicken!"
"Alright, alright. You got a pen and paper handy?"
"Yes."
"Good. Now, listen closely, and do not share it with anyone. If I go silent, that means Granny's spirit is mad, and you have to call Moffitt and get Anah over here right away. Understood?"
"Understood."
Tully recited the recipe, slowly, then asked Dietrich to repeat what he had so he didn't miss anything.
"I have everything written down, but I have also come to realize something," Dietrich said.
"What?" Tully asked.
"I am out of garlic powder, and none of the stores near me will open until morning. Can I get away without using it?"
"You can try, but it's your funeral if she notices the difference."
"What do you suggest?"
"Onion powder."
"I do not have onion powder, either!"
"Extra salt, then."
"Oh, Esther will definitely notice the difference."
"Well, there's one more thing you can do."
"What?"
"Call Troy. I'm sure he'll find a way to chuck a jar of garlic powder across the Atlantic for you."
"Knowing him, absolutely."
