005 Pineapple and The Savannah Show

(Serena)

I step back. 

Our special place. How stupid was I? 

He’d been there already, with her. 

She’s even hijacked our honeymoon. How am I supposed to not be upset about that?

He took me somewhere he’d already been. 

Somewhere he’d already made memories with her. 

Somewhere that was supposed to be special to us and turned out to be…

Leftovers.

“Are you guys okay? Serena, you’re awfully quiet…” Savannah asks so innocently. 

“Is it something I said? Oh, stupid me, I shouldn’t have mentioned our first time, should I? Sorry Serena. But it’s just a silly memory, we were in college. It’s a lifetime ago…”

“Can you just stop!” I shouldn’t raise my voice but I can’t help it. 

James looks surprised. “Serena… you can’t be angry at Savannah. She didn’t know I’d taken you there for our honeymoon.”

“I’m the one that should’ve known you’d been there already,” I say to him.

She looks surprised and she sets the picture against the wall. “Your honeymoon!? James, how could you? Oh, wow. No wonder you’re upset Serena… I didn’t mean to—” 

Then she clutches at her throat and her breaths are short and sharp.

“Oh god, I can’t, I can’t breathe!” Savannah clutches her swollen belly and begins to topple over.

James is right there to catch her.

“I can’t— It’s all tight, my chest— My stomach is cramping. My throat is burning.”

Savannah’s eyes dart toward me, wide and wild. 

“What did you put in that smoothie?!”

I can’t believe she’s trying to blame me. 

Why would I poison her? 

“The usual, pineapple, mango, banana, orange juice…”

“Pineapple!” she shrieks. “Oh my God, Serena! Everyone knows pineapple can trigger labor. It’s toxic for pregnancy!”

“I’m fairly sure there’s no real proof to support that theory. But maybe you are going into labor…It’s the only cure for pregnancy, you know.”

I’m unusually snarky but I’m a little done with The Savannah Show right now.

“You still shouldn’t have given me pineapple, just in case…” She spits out at me.

James turns to me. 

“Maybe you should check next time, just in case… In Savannah’s condition… ”

He knew I wasn’t trying to hurt her, right?

“She was drinking the punch last night. It had pineapple juice in it. I had some myself.”

“Something is clearly wrong though,” he says, “maybe she is in labor.” 

I’m not sure I’m buying that but if she is, she will need medical help.

Savannah moans again, only louder. 

“I feel dizzy. My vision is blurring. Call someone!” 

Then she cries out in supposed pain.

James is pale. 

“Serena! Call 911. Now. Oh, never mind, I’ll take her to the hospital.”

“Are you sure?” I ask. 

He quickly ushers me out to the other room. 

“I have to take her. The ambulance might take ages and I don’t want her having her baby on my hardwood floors.”

I have to smile despite all the tension. 

Typical James to be worried about something messing up his mansion. 

“Okay, just take her. But you text me or call and keep me informed, okay?”

“Done deal.” 

He kisses me quickly and then goes to Savannah and helps her out the door.

So I’m alone. 

I pray to god that I’ve made the right choice.

I hope that this uncomfortable feeling about her is just me being paranoid.

I head to my bathroom to wash away the bad vibes with a hot shower. 

James does love me. I do come first.

Well, after his business, but that’s a given.

***

I feel so much better when there’s a text from James waiting for me after my shower.

At hospital. She’s in with nurses. Waiting on doc.

Okay. It’s alright. Savannah has the help she needs. That is the main thing.

I grab my monogrammed robe and slip it on and wrap my wet hair in the matching hair wrap.

SH is for Serena Hale. 

I am James’s wife. Not Savannah.

The doorbell rings. Who could that be? 

At least I know now it isn’t Savannah. I grin at my thought. 

But it’s worse… It’s Margot. What does she want?

“Margot, come on in.” I click the door open. “But I warn you I’m not dressed.”

“You aren’t naked are you?” Margot says as she steps in carefully.

Wouldn’t that be a shock for her. “I’m in my robe, don’t worry.”

She should be happy about that, she is the one that gave me this full monogrammed set of towels and everything made as a wedding present. 

James said that it’s a family tradition and it proves Margot accepts me. 

I’m sure that isn’t true but I’m happy because he believes it.

We eloped to Las Vegas and let’s just say that went down like a lead balloon. James was almost disinherited until they heard about the baby. Then Margot threw us a reception a couple of weeks later.

But she’s been cold to me ever since I lost our baby six months ago. Now, I can’t even get the chance to tell James I’m pregnant again.

“I was worried about Savannah. James only answered my calls when I was practically at the door.”

I really don’t want to talk about Savannah, so I change the subject. 

“Oh well, I am glad you are here. Sorry for being in the robe but I love them, they are so luxurious. James says it’s something of a family tradition?” 

Margot brushes an invisible fleck off her sleeve. 

“It’s good to see you actually using the monogrammed set. I’m not sure anyone else ever would. You are very practical.” 

She can make every nice quality sound like a fault.

“I’m sorry, was I supposed to keep them in a cupboard?” 

“No no, not at all. Waste not, want not, I always say.”

I’ve never heard her say that. 

“They were originally for Savannah and James. The embroidery was already done, and they are very, very expensive. It’s a good thing you and Savannah shared initials, it was really quite convenient.”

My stomach drops.