Christy was happy. Happier than she remembered being in quite some time.

She sat across from Tracy at their new favorite Newport Beach café and scrolled through the photos on her phone. With a shy smile, Christy turned the screen around. “So, apparently, it’s a girl.”

“Really?” Tracy leaned closer and tilted her head to get a good look at the image. She didn’t seem convinced. “Is Todd still set on the name?”

“Yes. He’s definitely set on the name.”

Petite Tracy scrunched up her nose. “Gussie isn’t exactly the best name, if you ask me. But then, this is your baby, not mine.”

“I know. Trust me. Gussie wouldn’t have been my choice either.” Christy took one more look at the image on her phone before putting it back in her purse and picking up her oversized mug to enjoy a sip of her English breakfast tea latte.

“It does make sense, though. I mean, to Todd’s way of thinking, I can see where he came up with that name.”

“He’s so excited. I hate to douse his enthusiasm.” Christy leaned back. Her long, nutmeg-brown hair was folded into a loose braid that fell over her left shoulder.

“Lots of changes are ahead for you guys.”

Christy nodded. “I know. Lots of good changes. Amazing changes. So much has been happening so fast.”

“Doug and I feel that way, too. Tell me again … when do you guys leave for Africa?”

“A week from tomorrow.”

The waitress at Julie Ann’s Café finished refilling their glasses of water and lingered a moment, giving Christy what seemed like a tender, motherly smile.

Christy smiled back. She loved the cozy and friendly atmosphere at Julie Ann’s Café. Returning her attention to Tracy, she said, “Todd said you guys are all set to house-sit while we’re gone.”

“Yes and we are so grateful.” Tracy pinched a nibble from the carrot-and-zucchini muffin they were sharing. “We still can’t believe Todd’s dad is letting us stay there rent free. The timing is perfect.”

“I know. Todd and I felt the same way two months ago when we moved in.”

“Has your father-in-law told you yet if he’s going to start renting his house again after you get back?”

“No.”

“Do you think there’s a chance you guys would be able to afford it if he offered it to you?”

“I don’t think so. Not until both of us have steady jobs. But Todd said it would be better if we had that conversation in person with his dad next week.”

Over the past few months, both Christy and Todd had seen a steady flow of income from various odd jobs. Todd repaired surfboards in the garage and Christy used her sewing skills to create custom tablecloths and place mats. Most of the special orders were prompted by Christy’s gregarious aunt Marti, who had convinced many of her wealthy friends to bring their custom projects to Christy.

It had been a dreamy couple of months, especially after both of them had lost their jobs in the fall. But Christy knew the Camelot season wouldn’t go on forever. While they were in the midst of it, though, she wanted to enjoy every minute.

Tracy wrapped her hands around her soup bowl-sized tea mug. “It still seems pretty exotic to me—you guys taking off for a month and going to the other side of the world. I don’t know anyone who’s ever gone to the Canary Islands. And how crazy is it that Katie is getting married in Kenya? Does it seem surreal to you at all?”

“Yes. Very surreal.”

“But you seem so calm whenever you talk about it.” Tracy flipped her thin blond hair behind her right ear.

“You didn’t see me a few weeks ago,” Christy said. “When we found out the trip was moved up to the first week of March instead of the original dates in April, panic crept in. I thought it would be impossible to change the flights and all the other arrangements. However, once again, my aunt made it happen.”

Tracy leaned in again. “Would it be terrible if I told you that sometimes I’m jealous of you?”

“Of me?”

“Yes, you. I’ve often wished I had an Aunt Marti who took me shopping and bought me plane tickets.”

Christy wanted to mention the many tangled strings that seemed to be attached to Aunt Marti’s gifts over the years, but Tracy knew those stories already. “I’m grateful.”

“I know you are.” Tracy scooted the plate closer to Christy, gesturing that she should have the rest of the muffin. “And I’m happy for you guys. I really am. It’s so good that you’re able to take this big trip now because everything really does change once you have a baby.”

The waitress reached in front of them and removed the emptied muffin plate. She asked if they wanted anything else, and Tracy answered that they were ready for the check.

Christy was lost in her thoughts about how much life had changed for Doug and Tracy ever since their little guy, Daniel, made his grand entrance into the world over two years ago. It got her wondering about all the changes ahead for her and Todd. She really didn’t want to think about that right now. After swishing around the last of her tea latte, she sipped it slowly.

As the waitress stepped away, Tracy continued her earlier thoughts. “Although the way our lives are right now, even if I did have an aunt offering me free plane tickets, we wouldn’t be able to take off and go anywhere.”

“Transition is rough. But once you guys get into a place of your own and Doug gets more comfortable with his new job, you’ll start to feel at home here.”

“I know. And it will be the same for you guys when you get back from Africa. God will provide a place for you to live. But like you said, transition is rough.”

They sat for a moment in comfortable shared silence. Christy was glad they had each other during this time and could be anchored together in the safe harbor of a steady friendship and an abiding hope in God’s faithfulness.

“I don’t think you finished telling me about Gussie,” Tracy said. “When are you going to get her?”

“Todd said we should be able to pick her up on Saturday.”

“That soon? Wow, that’s great,” Tracy said.

“I know. I haven’t seen her yet.”

“You haven’t?”

“No. I’ve only seen the photos. Todd signed the papers yesterday and took her in to get a new muffler right away.”

The waitress placed the check on their table and laughed out loud. Christy and Tracy looked up and she quickly covered her mouth.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop. It’s just that I heard you say something earlier about ‘Gussie.’”

Christy nodded.

“And then you said she was getting a new muffler.” The waitress laughed again.

Christy and Tracy exchanged glances, not understanding the joke.

“I thought you were talking about a baby. You know. A baby, baby.” The waitress cast a bemused glance at Christy and patted her stomach. “I thought you were having a baby girl and naming her Gussie.”

Tracy started laughing. “No, we were talking about a car. Her husband is getting a new VW van. Well, it’s an old van, but new to them. He had one like it in high school. Show her the picture, Christy.”

She reached for her phone and pulled up the photo. “This is Gussie. Gussie the Bussie, in all her vintage cuteness.”

“I like the flower-power decal on her nose,” the waitress said.

“I know.” Christy glanced at the photo again with growing admiration. “That’s why my husband decided she must be a girl.”

“Makes complete sense now.” The waitress chuckled again as if she was really enjoying this little joke. “Well, congratulations on the new addition to your family. I’m sure Gussie will be very happy in her new home.” She was still grinning as she walked away.

Christy turned to Tracy and lowered her voice. She felt embarrassed that their conversation had been overheard. “Did you hear me say that Gussie was a baby?”

“No, I think I was the one who called her your ‘new baby.’” Tracy giggled again. “It’s funny she thought we were talking about a baby and not a car.”

“Who would name their child ‘Gussie’?”

“You never know. Gussie could be in the next top-ten most popular baby girl names.”

Christy reached for the check. “I truly doubt that.”

“Hey, it’s my turn to pay. Remember?”

“Let’s split it.”

“No. You paid last time. Hand it over.” Tracy gave Christy a firm look as if trying to fortify her words. The problem was that Tracy’s heart-shaped face could never appear threatening. Ever.

“How about if I leave the tip?”

Tracy didn’t protest that suggestion. She reached into her large bag and fished around for her wallet. “I almost forgot to ask. How’s Todd doing with his dad getting married?”

“Great. He’s happy for them. So am I.”

“But what about the...