Sissy is right behind her, with short dreadlocks and a bright scarf keeping her neck warm. “Here. Where do I put the food?” She puts down a plate and then opens her arms and spreads that smile that welcomes me into her presence. “Gotta get some sugar.” She kisses a loud smack on my cheek, then peels the cover off to reveal sushi.

“Sushi, I love it.”

“You got to watch this sauce, though. It’s serious spicy.” Sissy’s large eyes crinkle slightly with her smile. I introduce her to the other women, though she met Charlene this summer.

Charlene says to Tara, “I bought some perfume and a relaxation CD and a crystal to help you through the labor. You been practicing your breathing?”

“Oh, yeah. We’re doing the whole Lamaze bit.”

“Bet your sweet booty they are,” Sissy adds.

Juliet says to Tara, “I love your hair. You like it?”

“It’s my natural hair color. Or as close as I remember it. It’s called Amber Sunrise. I went from Black Pearl to Amber Sunrise.” Tara’s hair is cut short, almost a buzz cut. “Then I figured I might as well do the nature thing all the way. So I took off the nose ring, the eyebrow ring, the seven earrings. So here I am. Just me. Without anything. Me and Smidgen,”—she pats her belly—“ready for our adventure.”

Tara is at ease with my friends, who’ve known her since she was a baby, or in high school, as she advanced through her developmental phases.

“But I don’t know. This pale red hair looks too bland. Maybe I’ll put some platinum or fuchsia in it, after the baby’s born. Whaddya think?”

She looks bare and fresh. When she blinks, I notice her eyelashes are two-toned, the light brown that was once mine and the red hair of Stephen as though our genes had a fight and no one won, so they agreed to exist side by side, making space for each other.

Tara looks at me and says, “You look great, Mom. I hope my hair turns your color, that shocking white, when I’m your age. That’s the color I want my highlights to be.”

“Thanks, honey.” A few short years ago, she criticized everything about me.

“Looks like you’re getting ready. You and Smidgen,” Charlene says, staring at the bulge of her belly.

Rosie comes toward her. “You look beautiful. So, so …” She stops, hunting for the word, and then says, “Pregnant.” And jerks her head as though making a pronouncement.

“Yeah, I’m humongous. Even here.” She puts her hands over her breasts. “Size D! Can you believe it?”

“So that’s what you do to get them. Get pregnant.” Rosie laughs. “Now I know.”

“Well, I gotta go to my friend’s. I’m already late.” Tara moves next to Sissy, already in a discussion with Juliet. “I’ll be back at eleven?”