Marjorie and the baby felt right, too. After everything they had been through, they just fit. They understood one another. She saw the best in him and was patient with the worst in him. Like Rabbit. He had no fear and concern when it came to their relationship. But Juliet worried him. What am I missing here, Rabbit?

Just keep pushing, Davey.

It kept him awake. He tried to talk to her but she shut him out. He worried about his mother, too. She wasn’t the same woman. She was diminished. His dad was heartbroken and both of them were so angry. He worried for them, worried for everyone, but yet he was happier than he’d ever been and he dared to hope everything would work out.

Chapter Sixty-Three: Grace

Chapter Sixty-Three

Grace

SEX IS A HABIT and, as it turned out, an easy one to break. After the first attempt, when Lenny could not achieve erection, both Grace and Lenny pretended it wasn’t a big deal and that they could move on quickly. They didn’t, though; instead one or both of them used any and every possible excuse to get out of intimacy. Grace had her aches and her pains, Lenny his long hours and work stresses. One month turned into two, then three into four and so on until they were nine months down the line and they had barely touched one another. They didn’t talk about it, due to an unspoken agreement. They got on well together, still loved one another, made each other laugh and were there for each other, but it was a big problem, and as much as they pretended everything was fine, it was far from it. Another time bomb was just waiting to explode. Fucking great.

Marjorie’s pregnancy had brought Grace and Marjorie even closer together. Grace would even go as far as calling Marjorie a real friend. She wondered if Rabbit would mind. She’s always going to be your best friend, Rabbit. I’m just a stand-in. Grace had friends of her own, of course, but they were all busy bringing up children, and if she was honest she let them slide. The girls met once or twice a year for a celebration or Christmas drinks and then it was small talk and laughing about the past – no one brought their troubles to those nights. Marjorie was there for Grace in a way her own friendship circle couldn’t be. Marjorie understood. She’d been through it with Rabbit. Still, she kept most of her concerns to herself most of the time. Marjorie provided much-needed hope. Rabbit was gone, her own breasts gone, her ovaries soon to be gone, but now, amidst all this loss, a brand-new Hayes was being born. Who would have thought it?