Her Mother's Daughter (23 page)

Tansy shrugged again. “Sort of.”

“Why didn't you get married and settle down?”

“I don't know. I always thought I would someday, but that day never came.”

Bay looked at the floor. “I know I've been angry at you, for all kinds of things…”

“You've had reason to be.”

Bay groaned and put her hands up through her hair. “If only you knew how tired I am of being angry. I don't recognize myself anymore. I'm either numb or furious with everything and everyone. I think I need help.”

“You're right.”

They sat in silence for a few minutes. Out of the blue Bay asked, “Were you serious about getting a job?”

“I have to. We're going to need the money. My nest egg is becoming a little sparse.”

“Thanks. That would help.”

Even though Tansy knew she needed to find work, she wasn't optimistic about her chances. What on earth was she going to do here in the middle of nowhere? Not much call for modelling or acting in Louisbourg, which is what she did to make ends meet for quite a few years, before she met the first of her gentlemen friends. And when she sold the Porsche, they'd only have Bay's older car between them, so a job in Sydney wasn't ideal.

There was nothing for it. She'd have to hit the streets and beg someone to take her on as a waitress in one of the restaurants in town. It was that or become an animator at the fortress and dress up in period costumes all day. Wearing an itchy petticoat and bonnet on her head was not an option. She'd rather starve.

But then she remembered who she was doing it for and reconsidered, only to find out that there was a long waiting list to be an animator for the season, so that came to nothing. She even asked Gertie if they needed a typist at her insurance office. Gertie said she liked her, but since
she
was the only typist in the office, that would make her unemployed and she didn't relish the thought.

So Tansy went to all the restaurants in town, but that venture didn't start out with much promise. As luck would have it, the first restaurant was owned by Kay Cathcart of the dog doo-doo incident. Tansy was sent packing with her tail between her legs. Two other restaurants had all the staff they needed, while another one asked for references, which Tansy didn't have. Her own sister didn't trust her as far as she could throw her and no one else in town knew her. Not really.

Well, one man did, but she tried hard not to think about him.

Finally the local greasy spoon said they needed someone to start immediately since the waitress had quit in a snit that very morning and they supposed Tansy would do.

Tansy looked down at her summer dress. “Can I go home to change?”

The cook, a man named Lauchie with a huge beer belly, looked her up and down. “Nah. Keep that on. Might bring in some customers.”

“But I'll get grease on it.”

“Do you want the friggin' job or not?”

“Fine. Do you have an apron?”

He pointed to a large dishtowel, and with nothing better to use, Tansy wrapped it around her waist and tied it in the back.

It was the start of the longest day of her life.

She limped home in her high-heeled sandals, finally taking them off and walking in her bare feet the rest of the way. Her pretty polka-dot wraparound dress was covered in grease stains and a large mustard stain as well, thanks to an overzealous customer smacking the bottom of the container with undue force.

When she walked into the kitchen, she found Bay with her arms around Ashley. They were having a mother and daughter moment, but that moment was shattered when they turned around and saw her. Their faces registered shock.

“Are you all right?” Bay asked. “What happened?”

“I got a job.”

“Doing what?” Ashley squealed. “Picking through garbage?”

“I'm a waitress at Sonny's Snack Bar.”

It was so ludicrous. Bay and Ashley stood there with their mouths open.

Tansy smirked. “I think I'll drive the Porsche to work tomorrow. My feet are killing me.”

The three of them started to laugh and couldn't stop. Bay reached out and grabbed her sister in a big bear hug. She buried her face in Tansy's neck. They held each other for a long time. Tansy said to Ashley, “Group hug.”

Ashley ran over and the three of them embraced, rocking back and forth slightly.

“All for one and one for all,” Tansy whispered. “We're going to get through this. And we're going to be fine.”

Ashley was booked for an ultrasound and Matt took the day off work to go with her. Bay wanted to accompany them, but Ashley asked her not to. She and Matt didn't have much time alone anymore and she wanted it to be a private moment. So reluctantly Bay waved them goodbye and waited to hear all about it.

Ashley held Matt's hand in the waiting room and wiggled in her seat. “I wish they'd hurry up. I need to pee. What's taking so long?”

Matt looked around, as if that would make things happen quicker. “I don't know. Do you want me to go ask?”

She kept his hand in a death grip. “No, don't leave me.”

“I'm right here.”

A nurse approached with a clipboard. “Ashley Gillis.”

They rose as one. “Matt's coming with me.”

“That's fine. It's this way.” She indicated the hall to the left and walked ahead of them. “I'll take you to the dressing room. Undress from the waist up and put on a Johnny shirt and robe. Matt, you can wait here for now.”

Matt did as he was told. Ashley looked to him for reassurance and he gave her a thumbs up before she disappeared behind the closed door. A couple of minutes later both she and the nurse reappeared and they continued down the hall. Ashley knew she looked ridiculous in the horrid green robe that was ten times too big for her. She hoped she didn't run into anyone she knew.

The nurse opened another door and led the two of them into a darkened room. “Matt, you sit here, and Ashley, you make yourself comfortable on the examination table and the technician will be right in. Did you drink the required amount of water before you came?”

“Yes. I'm not going to be able to hold it much longer.”

“Everyone says that,” the nurse laughed. “She won't be a moment.”

Once she left, Ashley looked at Matt. “I'm nervous.”

“They say it doesn't hurt.”

“It's not that. I'm afraid to see the baby on the screen.”

“Why?”

“Because then it will be real.”

Matt nodded and looked at the floor.

The technician walked into the room and greeted them warmly. “There's nothing to be afraid of,” she said. “I'm going to put some jelly on your belly…sorry, hospital humour…and then you'll see your baby. Look at the screen and I'll show you when I have something. If you'd like to get closer, Dad, feel free.”

Matt looked confused for a moment. Then he rose from his chair and went over to the other side of the table, taking Ashley's hand in his own. They watched in silence as the blurry black-and-white images flickered on the screen.

Ashley couldn't make anything out. “I don't know where to look.”

The technician kept her eyes on the screen as she pressed against Ashley's abdomen in a circular motion. “Look right in the middle of the screen. Do you see the pulsing? That's your baby's heart.”

Ashley's own heart skipped a beat. “Look, Matt! Do you see?”

A grin broke out on Matt's face. “Yes, I see it. That's cool.”

“And here's the baby's head.” She pointed with a finger on the screen. “And look here, you can see the fingers.”

The young parents were speechless. They looked at the screen in wonder.

“I don't think I want to know what the baby is,” Ashley said. “Do you?”

“It doesn't matter to me. We'll call it Fred.”

“Fred? After your dog?”

“I love Fred.”

“What about Merlin?” Ashley laughed. “He might get jealous.”

“Don't tell him.”

“All right, Fred it is.”

A sudden peace came over Ashley. This pregnancy had been nothing but anxiety, fear, and remorse until this moment. As she watched her baby's fingers open and close, she was filled with an overwhelming love for this tiny being, brought into the world by her and Matt's love.

When Matt dropped her off, he took another look at the picture the technician gave them before they left.

“I wish I could take this home and show Mom. Maybe she'd change her tune.”

“If you'd like to take it, you can.”

“No, you show it to your mom first. She deserves to see it.”

“I better go. I love you.”

Matt kissed her and then put his hand on her belly. “Bye, Fred.”

Ashley got out of the car and practically skipped into the house. Her mother was waiting for her at the kitchen table, a worried expression on her face.

“How did it go? Are you all right?”

“I'm more than all right. Do you want to see Fred?”

“Fred? My God, is it a boy?”

“We don't know. We just named the baby Fred. It's better than calling it Bump.”

Bay held out her hand. “Oh, gosh, let me see.”

Ashley sat beside her mother and handed over the picture. Bay looked at it closely. “What am I looking at?”

Ashley pointed out the round shape of the baby's head. “This is a side view. Look closely and you can see the nose.”

The vague image suddenly became clear. “Oh, my, look at that. That's your nose!”

“Is it?” Ashley squealed.

Bay shook her head, as if in disbelief. “Isn't that something? Dear little soul.”

“Is this what you felt when you had me? Suddenly feeling so happy?”

Her mother didn't answer her. She stared at the picture.

“Mom?”

“Yes, honey. I was very happy.”

The back door opened and Tansy walked in, coming home from work and looking done in as usual.

“Look, Tansy, come and see Fred.”

“Fred?”

“My baby. They gave me a picture to keep.” Ashley held it up for Tansy to see. “This is the head and there's the nose. Mom says Fred has my nose. Isn't that amazing?”

Tansy stared at the picture. When she didn't say anything, Ashley looked at her. “What do you think?”

“It's overwhelming…” She handed back the picture. “Sorry.” She walked out of the kitchen and went upstairs.

“What's wrong with her?”

“I think she's tired.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Gertie knew she shouldn't bother Bay with trifling matters when Bay had so much going on, but she was starting to have second thoughts about her blind date. What if he was a lunatic? She showed up at Bay's one night at suppertime. Bay was delighted. She was trying to get rid of her endless supply of zucchini. She filled a plate and placed it in front of Gertie.