At Aunt Charlotte'S
Ashley Mace Havird
When the phone rings at four-thirty in the morning, Riley thinks someone has died. Her heart keeps hammering even when she hears her brother's voice and knows why he is calling.
"You and Joseph have a nephew!" More than exhausted, Nat sounds drunk. But Riley knows he only sounds that way, "Nothing's missing! Nothing's wrong!" he laughs as if he can't believe it.
Even so early in the morning—or is it because of the hour?—his incredulous joy is catching. She quizzes him on the baby's weight, length, hair color—even on details of Janet's labor and delivery. "Nat, wait!" She stops him right as he's hanging up. "You didn't tell me his name."
