getting woken up in the middle of the night? Man, I would not be good at that.”
Caitlin laughs. “I guess it’s something moms just have to get used to.”
“I know what you guys are doing,” Natalie says suddenly.
“What?” Caitlin glances over at her.
“Trying to scare me.”
“No…” Caitlin says in a kind voice. “But it’s true that I wanted you to see what it’s like being a young mom. And that it can be hard.”
“But I won’t be single like Anna,” Nat tosses back.
“I hope not,” Caitlin tells her. “But there are no guaranties. Anna didn’t think she’d be single either. It came as a shock to everyone. I mean, it’s like they’d gotten through the hardest part—Joel had graduated from college. Life should’ve been getting better. And then he just left.”
“I wonder why,” I say.
“Josh thinks it’s because they got married so young, had kids too soon. He’s talked to Joel about it a couple of times, and although Joel feels bad and says that he’ll pay child support, he also is tired of being a husband and a dad.”
“He probably has a girlfriend,” Natalie throws in.
“That’s what I thought too,” Caitlin says. “But Anna said he doesn’t. And when Josh asked Joel, he denied it too.”
“Well, maybe they’ll get back together,” says Nat.
“That’s what we’re hoping. Josh is trying to talk Joel into getting counseling.”
By the time we’re back at the church, I’m not sure if Caitlin has gotten through to Nat or not. And when Natand I are in my Jeep, I think the whole thing might’ve been for nothing.
“It’s going to be different with Ben and me,” she says as she buckles the seat belt over her thicker-than-usual waist.
“What makes you so sure?” I ask.
“It’s just a God-thing,” she says.
I don’t remind her that Anna and Joel are Christians too. That they thought things were going to go better for them. What’s the use, I wonder as I drive us home. In the end, Nat will do what Nat wants and say that it’s God’s will. Okay, I know that’s kind of harsh and judgmental on my part, but I’m beginning to think that’s how it is. Even so, I will continue praying for my friend. And I will continue getting ready for her bridal shower.
Saturday, September 16
If I never give another bridal shower in my entire life, it will be way too soon. And if Nat thinks I’m going to give her a baby shower, well, she can think again!
Thank goodness for Caitlin today. I would’ve been lost without her. She managed to keep things light and happy, acting like it was perfectly normal for two seventeen-year-olds to get married and set up house. Speaking of setting up house, it turns out that Ben and Nat will not be house-sitting for Josh’s parents’ friends. When the older couple heard there was a baby involved, they backed out.
“Did you see all the cool stuff I got?” Natalie asks as I help her carry things over to her house.
“Yeah,” I say in a flat-sounding voice.
“You were back in the kitchen so much, I wasn’t sure.”
“There was a lot to do,” I say. “And Caitlin was doing a great job of keeping things going with the ladies.”
“Caitlin is such a natural hostess,” Nat says as she opens the door to her house. “I’m so lucky that she’s going to be my sister-in-law.” She laughs. “I guess I should say ‘blessed’ since luck really has nothing to do with it.”
Unless you mean bad luck, I’m thinking.
“Is that the last of it?” Mrs. McCabe asks as we haul the stuff into the dining room.
“I think so,” I tell her. “If I see anything we missed, I’ll bring it over.”
“Thank you for doing this for Natalie,” Mrs. McCabe tells me in a rather automated sounding voice. It’s pretty much the tone she’s been using about anything to do with Nat or the wedding or the baby. It’s like she’s holding everything in, and I don’t think I’d like to be around when she finally lets it all out.
“No