The Whole World Over: A Novel by Julia Glass

Author:Julia Glass [Glass, Julia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 0375422749
Amazon: B005ZOLEWY
Publisher: Pantheon
Published: 2006-05-23T07:00:00+00:00

ELEVEN

"WELL, EVERYBODY, we have some big news. I'm pregnant."

They were eating the main course of Thanksgiving dinner— Saga's turkey stuffed with corn bread, Pansy's mashed potatoes with too much garlic, Frida's Asian yam salad and brussels sprouts in cider. Pansy's new boyfriend had just asked if someone would pass the cranberry relish (the one thing that wasn't homemade). That's when Denise made her announcement.

Michael sat next to her, fully attentive; he hadn't been on the phone once since arriving. He took his wife's right hand with his left, between their plates. His thick wedding ring sparked in the light from the candles.

Pansy's face seemed to whiten. For an instant, she looked more anxious than glad and stole a glance at her boyfriend, who smiled blandly, the way one does at the good news of strangers. She laid her hand on the tablecloth, perhaps hoping the boyfriend would take it. He didn't.

Frida was the first to speak. "Oh Denise, that is so wonderful. Michael! Congratulations to you both." She raised her glass. "Here's to you, new mom."

"She's going to be the best," said Michael.

Uncle Marsden's smile wasn't much more personal than that of Pansy's newcomer boyfriend. His eyes were dry as he murmured, "You bet she will."

"How far along?" said Pansy. She put her unclaimed hand back in her lap.

"Oh, about a minute," said Denise. "We just found out yesterday. I know it's soon to tell anyone, but since we're all together . . ." She looked at Michael, who beamed at her.

To Pansy, he said, "No reason to think we'll have problems. First checkup was totally normal."

"Oh no!" said Pansy. "I never meant to imply you would!"

In her head, Saga counted carefully, twice before she was nearly certain. "August?" she said quietly. "Wow. A baby in August?"

The entire family looked at Saga: an unfamiliar sensation. Had she said the wrong thing? But Denise was smiling wholeheartedly at her, even gratefully. "August first, as a matter of fact. I can't imagine what I'll look like in a bathing suit by then." Again, she and Michael exchanged their starry look.

"August," said Uncle Marsden, "is when they're threatening to break ground for those blasted condominia. Unless the bird people pull themselves together. So don't get too smug about beach plans just yet."

Frida frowned at her father. "Dad, did you hear Denise? She just said she's going to make you a grandfather."

There was a hint of annoyance in the smile Uncle Marsden directed at Frida. His eyes were closed slightly—a little like a snake, thought Saga, surprised by the treachery in this image. He said calmly, "I heard the splendid news, my dear. I'm not a bit deaf." He turned to Michael and Denise. "That is splendid news, in case I didn't shout it from the rooftops. I shall have to dig up the cradle my father made. I think your mother kept you girls in it; Michael, I seem to remember you did not like the motion. You wanted your little bed on solid ground.

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