“I bought Shabbos,” Abby said after we lit candles and settled on the couch.

I looked at Abby. Really? That’s a bit far even for her. On the drive in, I’d had the brilliant idea of getting Abby as a client. I knew the hardest part would be getting her to say yes. I needed to play this right, now didn’t feel like the moment.

“You’re not going to ask why?”

I laughed. “I’m not rude like you. Also I try not to be judgmental.”

“Ha! As if. If you didn’t know me that well, you’d be wondering why Moshe has a runny nose and is running around in shorts for pajamas even though it’s winter.”

“Fine, I don’t judge you because I know you.”

“Wow, that’s deep,” Abby said.

“So, why did you buy Shabbos?” I asked.

“Because I’m exhausted. Too exhausted. And I will be exhausted for the next while, and even if I’m not, I’ll pretend I am. Rafi does so much around the house these days, it’s amazing. I never knew he knew how to cook more than scrambled eggs.”

“Isn’t that the extent of your own repertoire?”

“I can make a sophisticated omelet… and a few other things. But at least I don’t have to do it. And you’re slow.”

“Slow?”

“You don’t get why I’m tired.”

I shrugged. “Life?” I offered.

“So now I know you’re not pregnant, otherwise you’d have guessed.”

“Oh, so you’re expecting.”

Abby gave me one of her self-satisfied smiles. “That I am.”

“B’shaah tovah,” I said. “How are you feeling?”

“I answered that question already, say something else.”

I laughed again. “When are you due?”

“In too long.”

I went silent for a bit.

“Anyway, just thought it was a good time to tell you, in person and all. Because if I have to call you, then it’s not gonna happen, and then you’ll get insulted when you find out too late.”

“Yeah, totally.” I said. I got up and moved to the floor to help Batsheva work on a puzzle.

Abby picked up one of the children’s books that littered her living room. There’s a Bird on My Head by Mo Willems. “You play with my kids, I’ll just sit here reading pretending it’s to their benefit, when I really just like it, and can probably use the skills the book is teaching myself.”

I chuckled. Typical Abby. Weird how I’m in such a different place since the last kid she had. I leaned forward, and put a tricky puzzle piece in place. Batsheva whined, took the piece out, and then put it back in herself. Last time I was happy for Abby and then wondered if I’d ever be in that place; now I’m still happy but wonder if I’m ready for the same thing myself.

(Excerpted from Family First, Issue 624)