“You are the best wifey,” I managed before catching a waft of...bacon? “You stopped for cheeseburgers on the way, didn’t you?”

“Damned right, I did. Freedom, baby. But even with that bacon double cheeseburger with a double cheeseburger on the side, I did a two-and-a-half-hour drive in an hour and forty-five because I care. Also because I was trying to beat Connecticut traffic at rush hour. Thanks for ruining everything, New York.”

“Is Bubbe going to kill you for leaving early?”

“Don’t think so. I told her why I was going and she didn’t try to stop me. I think she’s glad to have her house back to herself. She said I kept getting a weird look on my face after a few hours without my phone on Shabbos. I’m pretty sure looking at me actually makes her angry.” She smirked. “She loves me. She just wants to punch me a little.”

“Well, yeah, but so does everyone.”

“Exactly. I’m just that kind of girl.”

The banter was easy, light. Familiar. Familiar was good, and the brick I’d been trying very hard not to shit softened a little.

...wow. Gross analogy, but you catch my drift.

Devi kissed the top of my head and smiled. I think it was supposed to be reassuring, but she looked like she had gas. That was okay, though—finding out your bestie was pregnant right before senior year of high school was probably worth a few fart faces. “So what are we going to do about Babygate? Like, do you even know or...”

“I’m fondly referring to it as the fetus. At least, mentally I am, and no clue.” I reiterated my stance on abortion, that it was okay for others but I wasn’t feeling it, pausing to ask her, “Is that dumb?”

She immediately shook her head.

“Not at all. It’s a decision that’s going to be hard for lots of people for lots of reasons. So, think about it, decide what sits right for you. No one gets to dictate your feelings about something complicated like this.”

“I don’t know what my mom’s going to say.”

“I’m betting, by the talk she gave me when I got here, she’s going to support whatever you decide. She texted me, you know.” When surprise made my eyebrows kiss my hairline, Devi nodded. “Yeah, she didn’t know you’d called me. She asked when I was home and said she thought you could use some friends around, that you’re going through some stuff. She wouldn’t tell me what, though. I thought you’d appreciate that. Your mom was good about your privacy.”