It's that time of year

 "So how are things with  you and Koda?" Misty asked. 

"Fine." Suddenly, Vanna was closed-lipped. It was true. Misty was seriously pregnant. A cold chill went through Vanna. Honestly, she felt Misty was so brave, yet Vanna couldn't see herself waiting so long to start a family. Honestly, it was confusing. A part of her always wanted to be a mom and yet when she looked at her body she knew she didn't want to go through with it, but maybe.

"Are you sure?" Misty looked her over as if Vanna was not well at all. Like, maybe she had COVID and shouldn't be out here at their barbecue party. 

Of course, Koda was off with Jay and Slater at the grill drinking lite beer and shooting the breeze. And that new girl Jay was with was holding baby Hope. Vanna winced. Sometimes, when she looked at Lindy it was like looking at this woman and yet now she looked like a kid in her overalls. She was close to Jay as if she was supposed to always be next to him.

"Yeah, I'm fine, but..but what's wrong with her?" Vanna wanted to know. The sun shined and Vanna wished she'd worn shades. Honestly, it was a beautiful day.

"What do you mean?" Misty looked toward Lindy and the baby.

"I dunno. Nothing I guess." Vanna was sorry she spoke. She remained even lipped. Misty waved Lindy over. Finally, she came with baby Hope on her hip. It wasn't long until Dimi and Bishop arrived with a picnic basket full of finger foods. She laid it out on the wooden benched table.

"Hey," Vanna introduced herself to Lindy and of course, Hope went right to Vanna. "She's like lead." Vanna hadn't held Hope in months. She'd grown so much and yet she acted as if she still knew her.  "What are you guys feeding her?"

"Oh, she eats whatever we eat," Lindy nodded.

"Right." Vanna nodded. She did not know about these things, but Hope placed her hand right on her breast as if she knew what they were used for. Vanna gritted a smile wishing she could hand off the baby to Misty, but knew that would be wrong. "You don't have any kids do you?" Vanna asked Lindy.

"I don't think so." She shook her head, no. "Not that I know of."

"Huh?" Vanna had never heard anyone say something like that. There was something peculiar about Lindy. Vanna hoped Jay knew what he was getting himself into.