Beach House Views, Chapter 7

Chapter Seven

Juniper sets out two stemless wine glasses. Of the three friends she asked to come sleepover with Bridge gone, only one could come. Busy lives, babies, work, and all the legit excuses, but still she wanted them all to come. No blame, but it’s a bummer. She shrugs, it’s midlife, and it’s what she wants, too, if only she could get pregnant. She hadn’t hung out with her little group of friends for several years. She missed their college days, their days of incessant togetherness, and all the adventures they’d gone on as a group effort. But babies and husbands and kids all come first now, as it should be, it’s the stage of life they’re all in.

She looks wistfully at her stomach, a weak smile trying to erupt, but failing, wondering when it will happen for her and Bridge. She scoops up a wine glass in her cupped palm and cradles it, places her other on her belly. She knows it’s a long shot now, the pregnancy test today was negative so it’s not going to be this month, at least. So, she’s partaking in wine again. She had such high hopes of calling Bridge in Europe and telling him it was positive. No such luck. She smirks. They’ll just have to keep on fucking. Her smile finally fully erupts. There’s an upside to this after all.

She swirls the empty wine glass in the air like it’s a magic wand. Glaring hard at the shiny...