And Baby Makes Two - Dyan Sheldon [41]
“So,” said Shanee. “How’s Les?”
I couldn’t tell her I hadn’t seen Les yet – or even talked to him. I didn’t want her to start telling me she told me so or feeling sorry for me.
I swung Shinola so Shanee could get a full view of her. “You should’ve seen her when she was just born,” I said. “She looked like a frog.”
“She still looks a bit like a frog,” said Shanee.
When Gerri rang I told her that motherhood was brilliant, too.
“You’ve got to come over and see her,” I said. “She’s amazing.”
Gerri started going on about some boy she’d met at some party.
“It’s incredible how fast they grow,” I said. “I swear she changes every day.”
“I thought it was you who did the changing,” said Gerri.
Amie wanted to know about my figure. “Are you doing exercises?” she asked. “Is your stomach still floppy?”
“Wait till you see her,” I said. “Yesterday she smiled at me. I know everybody says it’s just gas, but she really smiled.”
“So what else have you been doing?” asked Amie.
“I’ve got to go, Amie. Shinola’s crying.”
“I’m back,” said Les. “I’m sorry I didn’t ring sooner. I’ve been busy.”
I was so relieved he’d phoned when the Spiggs wasn’t home that I didn’t even mind that it had taken him a week to get round to it.
“Me, too,” I said.
Les laughed. “What have you been doing, shopping?”
I laughed, too. “No,” I said. “I had the baby. Our baby.”
Les said, “What?”
“The baby,” I repeated. “I had it. That’s what happens after you’ve been pregnant for nine months,” I explained. “You give birth.”
“Geez,” said Les.
“It’s a girl,” I said, since he didn’t ask. “I called her Shinola.”
“Shinola?”
“Yeah. Do you like it?”
“Yeah, it’s nice.” Les cleared his throat. “What is it, African or something?”
I said I didn’t think so. I said it meant sunny morning in Indian or something like that.
“That’s great,” said Les. “That’s really great.” I could hear his voice change gear. “I’ll ring you later, Lana. I’ve got to go.”
Since I was always tired, I fell asleep at every chance I got, usually in front of the telly. And since Les still hadn’t come round, I dreamt about him a lot.
I was dreaming that Les took me and Shinola to Disneyland Paris.
When Charley took me and Hilary to Disney World we stayed with his sister who lives in Florida, but Les got us a room in one of the hotels at the park. Our room was pink and had a white canopy bed and a crystal chandelier. It was the Cinderella suite. Les had booked it specially. There was a little room off the main bedroom for Shinola. It had one of those cradles that rock back and forth like you see in fairy stories, all white net and ruffles and little pink bows.
Shinola was sleeping in her little room and Les and I were getting ready for supper. There was a maid who’d look after Shinola while we went downstairs to eat so we didn’t have to stay in our room. After dinner we were going to the disco.
The hotel radio station was playing songs from great Disney classics while I got into my party gear. “Someday My Prince Will Come” was on.
I zipped up my dress. It was a red dress with a tight bodice and spaghetti straps and a slightly flared skirt. I had red heels to match. I sat down at the white and gold dressing-table to put on my make-up. It was just like the dressing-table I’d always wanted (but she would never let me have), with lights around the mirror. Les came up behind me. He started nuzzling my neck and telling me how gorgeous I looked. I pretended I didn’t want him messing up my hair and stuff, but really I couldn’t have cared less.
“Lana…” whispered Les. “Lana … Lana … Lana…”
He was being too rough. I pushed him off.
“Lana … Lana … Lana…”
“Not now.” I pushed him off again. “I have to get ready.”
“Lana … Lana … Lana…” He wasn’t nuzzling me any more. He was shaking me hard.
I pulled away from him. “Get dressed,” I said. “You’ve got to get dressed, too.”
“Not at three in the morning,” said Les.
I opened my eyes. I’d fallen asleep in front of the telly again. But even though I was still half-asleep and blinded I knew