“I’ve got three nieces and two nephews. Lots of practice.” Jenny snuggled the baby in close, breathing in the scent of baby shampoo and lotion. She’d once expected to be a young mother but had long ago accepted that she probably wouldn’t have children. That was another thing that had been taken from her on a cloudless September day.

Maddie returned, carrying a huge bowl, a baguette and a bag.

“What did you make?” Syd asked.

“A big salad and some spinach dip.”

“That sounds so good,” Syd said with a sigh. “I’m going to gain thirty pounds from this surgery if you guys keep bringing food over.”

“That’s what friends are for,” Jenny said with a smile for Syd.

Syd stuck out her tongue at Jenny, and then Hailey stuck her tongue out and made raspberry noises that had both women laughing.

“What’re you two teaching my daughter?” Maddie asked when she came in to sit with them.

“Things she needs to know,” Jenny said, keeping her hands on Hailey as the baby pulled herself up to the coffee table.

“Uh-oh,” Syd said, “she’s cruising.”

“Yeah,” Maddie said. “That started this weekend.”

This was said without Maddie’s usual enthusiasm for all things involving her family. Jenny exchanged glances with Sydney.

“What’s wrong, Maddie?” Syd asked.

“What? Nothing.”

“Come on,” Syd said. “It’s us. We know you better than that.”

“Nothing’s wrong. Really. Do you want something to eat yet? The others should be here soon.”

“Maddie…”

“It’s ridiculous in light of what you’re going through. It doesn’t even count as a problem.” Despite her words, Maddie’s eyes filled, and she turned her full focus on Hailey.

“Tell us what’s wrong,” Jenny said. “You might feel better.”

“It’s stupid, and I feel foolish for even being upset about it.”

“Tell us anyway,” Syd said. She and Maddie had been friends since a summer job scooping ice cream during high school.

“I thought I was pregnant. In fact, I was sure I was pregnant. And I’m not. See what I mean? What do I have to be weepy about? I have two perfectly healthy kids, and neither Mac nor I wanted to be pregnant again yet, so it doesn’t count as an actual problem.”

“Sure, it does,” Syd said. “You’re sad that something you thought was happening isn’t.”

Maddie closed her eyes and shook her head. “It’s crazy to be upset about not getting something you didn’t even really want in the first place.”

“I think I actually followed that,” Jenny said.

“Mamamamamama,” Hailey said, chewing on her fist as she teetered on new legs.

“Mama is here.” Maddie reached for her daughter and hugged her close, despite Hailey’s efforts to get free.

Laura McCarthy poked her head in the door. “Is this where the party is?”

“Come in,” Syd said.