When I arrived home, Jim handed off a howling Laurie and a UPS package to me.

I tried to juggle Laurie while reading the label on the package. It was my girdle! A few weeks ago, I couldn't imagine getting so excited about a girdle-but here I was practically giddy.

Laurie continued to fuss.

'What's wrong with her?' I asked Jim.

He shrugged. 'I wish I knew. She's fed, has a clean diaper, and hasn't stopped crying for at least fifteen minutes.'

I cuddled Laurie to me and rubbed her back, trying to soothe her. The rubbing coaxed an enormous burp out of her, which suddenly silenced her.

Jim looked shocked. 'Oh.'

I raised an eyebrow at him. 'You remembered to feed her, but forgot about the burping thing?'

Jim matched my expression. 'Apparently.'

I laughed.

'Well, I'm glad it's nothing serious,' he said. 'I was starting to get worried. How was lunch?'

'We had Thai. It was great.' I pa.s.sed the UPS package to Jim. 'Can you open this for me?'

Jim ripped open the package and pulled the girdle out. 'What is this?'

I launched into a dissertation about the benefits of 'binding' one's tummy after childbirth.

Jim seemed stunned by my pa.s.sion on the subject. From our office/nursery we heard his cell phone ring. He pa.s.sed the girdle to me and went to answer the phone.

I shuffled to our bedroom and laid Laurie down in her ba.s.sinet. She immediately protested, but not so persistently as to deter me from trying on the girdle.

I read the instructions and opened the package, but before I could try it on, Jim came into the room.

'That was Dirk Jonson. He wants to meet tomorrow over lunch, said he loved my concepts.'

Dirk was the reason I could even try my hand at this PI business. Now I had a meeting with the top dog of criminal defense at the same time Dirk had called a meeting with Jim. My husband, yes, but also my primary babysitter, and with Mom in Mexico, what could I do?

Lugging Laurie around would look completely unprofessional, wouldn't it?

'Oh. I'm supposed to-'

'Sorry, honey, I need to go polish up some stuff for them.' He headed out of the room. 'What's for dinner?'

Uh. Dinner.

'I'll think of something,' I called after him.

I dialed Paula and told her about my meeting with Gary Barramendi.

Paula practically screamed in my ear. 'A media darling! Kate, you have to go!'

'But I have to watch Laurie.'

'Are you crazy? I'll watch her. Swing her by here. I'll be home all day with my little beast. No problem.'

'But you're pregnant.'

'So?' Paula demanded.

'I don't want to put a seven-week-old burden on a pregnant lady!'

'Shut up. I can handle your little cherub with my hands tied behind my back.'

'Wait . . . um . . . Does Danny bite?'

'No! Don't worry, I would never let Danny bite Laurie. Why do you ask?'

'One of the moms got kicked out of Roo & You because her kid bit a baby.'

'Really? Isn't that kinda harsh? Don't all kids do things at one point or another that you can't control? We try our best, but sometimes, girl, the kids are not your own.'

'Hmmm. Maybe there was more to it. She's pretty pushy. Anyway, I'll see you tomorrow and thank you!'

'Okay, no prob,' Paula said.

'Hey, Paula, one more thing . . .'

'What?'

'Galigani told me not to mention his name when I was with The Grizzly,' so what do I do if he asks about my license?'

'Hmm. Tell him you applied for a license and are waiting on the paperwork to be processed.'

'Lie?'

'That's not a lie. It's a pet.i.te pet.i.te misrepresentation of the facts.' misrepresentation of the facts.'

'I haven't applied for a license. It's a bald-faced lie.'

'The guy is criminal defense-you think he cares about one tiny misstatement?'

I sighed. 'You're impossible.'

Paula laughed. 'See you tomorrow. Make sure to look sharp. That'll distract him and secure your rightful destiny as a media darling.'

CHAPTER TWENTY.

The Grizzly

To Do:

1. Meet with Gary Barramendi.

2. Shop for shoes.

3. Practice some recipes for Thanksgiving.

4. Groceries.

5. Laurie-need the memento book-already missed milestone!

I'd had a fitful night. Tossing and turning while Laurie was sound asleep and then finally drifting off just as she would wake for a feeding. While I nursed her, I contemplated my restlessness.

I was definitely nervous about meeting with Mr. Barramendi, but was that all? No, the weight of the case was getting to me. And now to make matters worse, I'd have to lie to Barramendi about Galigani or avoid the topic altogether.

I had never been good at lying. Something people find hard to believe as soon as they discover I have an acting degree. But acting is different. You take on the role of a character. You're not actually lying about yourself.

And then again. Wait.

Yes. Tomorrow I would play the part of a character. I would meet with Barramendi as my 'future self.' A self-a.s.sured, successful PI. A licensed PI.

In the morning I woke with a start to the alarm. Laurie was still asleep and Jim was getting dressed for his meeting. He stood in front of our closet examining dress shirts.

'Good morning,' I said, propping myself up in bed.

'Hi, honey. I made coffee,' Jim said.

'Thank you.'

Jim selected a blue striped dress shirt and put it on.

He looked great. My mind immediately snapped to what I was going to wear. Did anything fit?

As soon as Jim said good-bye, I jumped to the task of getting ready.

First I nursed and burped Laurie then laid her back in the ba.s.sinet. She was still awake but seemed content to study a white bunny rattle that I handed her.

I stopped suddenly; today Laurie was two months old!

I picked her up out of the ba.s.sinet. 'Oh! My darling!' I squeezed her to me. 'Two months already. So short a time and yet it feels like you've been part of my life forever.'

Laurie cooed and attempted to put the bunny rattle into her mouth.

'You like the bunny? Mommy's going to get you something for your . . . what? Second month birthday? Okay, that works.' I kissed Laurie's head and put her down.

Need to add shopping for Laurie to the to-do list!

Next I showered, then pulled out my new girdle and wrapped it around myself. It was simple enough to use. It wrapped around my tummy and hips and fastened on the side with a long Velcro fitting.

I positioned it in place and frantically started going through items in my closet. I found a favorite burgundy silk blouse and tried it on. To my astonishment, it fit nicely. I then selected some trousers. The first three pairs I tried on were way too tight, but the fourth pair worked.

Way to go, girdle!

Shoes?

Ah. Another problem!

My postpartum feet didn't fit any of my pre-Laurie shoes. I finally found some loafers that would barely pa.s.s.

I glanced at the clock. I needed to get Laurie loaded into the car and out of the house in the next few minutes if I was going to be on time, and I still needed to pack her diaper bag.

Why hadn't I packed the stupid diaper bag last night?

I hurried to do my hair and makeup.

At least Laurie was now sound asleep; that would be a help in getting out the door. I ran to the freezer and found a few bags of frozen milk. Just over 4 ounces. Enough for one feeding.

Darn. I needed to build up a bigger supply if I was going to have to keep leaving Laurie with a sitter. Another thing to add to my list!

I hustled Laurie into the car. She barely roused. Why didn't she sleep like this for me? Why only when I left her with someone?

I drove to Paula's and pulled into her driveway like a madwoman.

I unclipped the car seat from the base and grabbed the diaper bag, lugging the entire load up Paula's front steps.

Paula opened the door ensconced in a violet terry robe.

'Good morning!' I said, pushing my way past her and into the entrance to unburden my arms.

Paula let out a low whistle. 'Look at you, girl! You are looking hot!'

'Thanks. It takes effort now, you know.'

Paula laughed. 'Oh yeah! Hey, what's up with your shoes?'

I glanced down at my loafers and shrugged. 'They're what fit.'

Paula tsked. 'Oh no. Follow me.'