Claire smiled.
“We’re having a baby.”
June’s hands flew to her mouth.
Then she froze.
A complicated thought arrived immediately.
Childcare.
Money.
Nursery.
Everything she had spent years volunteering before being asked.
She lowered her hands.
“Congratulations.”
Ethan watched her.
“That’s it?”
June’s eyes filled.
“No.”
She stood and hugged Claire carefully.
Then Ethan.
Then Claire again.
“When?”
“May.”
June began crying.
Claire did too.
Ethan looked terrified.
June laughed.
Then Claire said, “We need to discuss something.”
June’s old reflex returned.
“How much?”
All three stopped.
Ethan covered his face.
Claire laughed so hard she bent forward.
June stared.
Then realized what she had said.
“Oh.”
Ethan looked at her.
“Progress.”
June started laughing too.
When they calmed down, Claire wiped her eyes.
“We don’t need money.”
“Good.”
“We do need boundaries.”
