He remained motionless as I leaned over and gave him a peck on the cheek. In the doorway I turned to say goodnight and noticed he had the listening-to-God look. I wondered if was the first time he realized how much I truly cared for him.
Will had to work on Thanksgiving; I guess hotel bars never close. I thought it was weird that he hadn’t quit his job since he would be collecting an advance from the record label once he signed the deal. When I asked him why he didn’t agree to the terms straight away, he simply said there was no need to rush it, but I wondered if he was waiting for something better to come along.
Jackson and I went to Jenny’s parents, where they had the full holiday spread. I almost choked to death on piece of turkey when Jenny’s mom, Carol, asked me if Will and I had plans to marry.
“They’re just friends, Mom,” Jenny said, laughing.
“Oh, I thought… never mind,” Carol said, smiling.
After dinner, I helped Carol clean up while Jenny sat on the couch, looking uncomfortable. She was whispering something to Tyler when Carol noticed her posture. “What’s wrong, Jenny?”
“Nothing, I just feel crampy.” The room went silent. Jenny’s parents and I froze where we were standing. Those were not words anyone wanted to hear from a pregnant woman.
“It’s normal to feel a little crampy this early, right?” Jenny said to her mom.
“I think so, but should we call the doctor just in case?”
Jenny stood up and then instantly doubled over. “Ow!” she shouted before scurrying off to the bathroom.
I heard her cry out and then Tyler ran over and yelled, “Open up, babe!”
He walked in and slammed the door behind him. I didn’t know what to do; I stared at Jenny’s mom and dad, who were both pale and motionless. I heard a guttural moan from Tyler and then Jenny began sobbing loudly. The door swung open and he walked out, carrying his shattered wife.
“I have to take her to the hospital,” he said through heavy breaths. Jenny looked like a frail child in his long arms. Tears began streaming down my cheeks as I walked behind them out to the driveway.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can, Jenny.” Tyler, Jenny, and her parents rode to the hospital together while I waited for a cab so I could take Jackson back to the apartment.
Will was in the kitchen when I walked in. As soon as he saw my face, he was at my side with a look of pure concern. “What’s wrong, baby?”
I let out a along sigh. “I think Jenny had a miscarriage; she’s at the hospital now.”
He narrowed his eyes. “No… no. Oh no, that’s awful. We have to go.”
I nodded in agreement.
As we gathered up our things to head out, the phone rang. It was Carol saying that Jenny had indeed had a miscarriage and they weren’t going to keep her at the hospital. She said everyone was tired and wanted to get home and put an end to the horrible day. I told her to tell Jenny and Tyler we loved them and that we’d come by the next day.
On our way to Jenny and Tyler’s the next morning, Will and I stopped at a market where we argued for ten minutes on what to buy them. I had flowers and Will had chardonnay and chocolate. “Flowers would be an appropriate gift, Will, especially at nine o’clock in the morning.”
“It’s Jenny. Trust me, this is what she wants.”
“Fine, we’ll get it all.”
When we got to Jenny’s, Tyler opened the door. He looked devastated. I hugged him and told him how sorry I was, then moved past him to Jenny, who was on the couch with a box of Kleenex and big cozy quilt. I handed her the flowers and bent over to give her a squeeze.
“Thanks, girl,” she said in a low voice.
“I’m so sorry.”
“I know,” she said. She seemed to be keeping it together pretty well.
Will came over and without a word he set the chocolate and chardonnay on the table and then knelt down in front of her. She glanced at the gifts and then looked him in the eye and smiled before breaking down into sobs and burying her face in his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and swayed slightly from side to side whispering, “Shhh. It’s okay, shhh.”
He was so tender and warm toward her that she was able to completely let go and accept the comfort he was offering. Watching Will like that made me want to be a better person. It made me want to be more like him and I knew that was definitely a sign I was falling completely and deeply in love with him.
Will held my hand in the cab on the way home.
“You were really sweet with Jenny, I know they both love you,” I said.
He brought my hand to his mouth and kissed it gently. “Thanks, baby. They love you, too.” He seemed contemplative before he said quietly, “My sister Regina and her husband tried to get pregnant for two years and then when they finally did, she had two miscarriages back to back. They were devastated. They eventually had three kids, but my sister worried through each pregnancy. It was like she was waiting with bated breath for nine months. It really changes a woman. So I guess we just need to remember that for Jenny.”
“You’re sweet,” I said, squeezing his hand.
“Wanna sleep in my bed tonight?” he said with a crooked smile.