Treat by Hannah Murray

to babysit her.” “For Christ’s sake, try skating with your eyes open next time, you—oh!” Brynn swung around to look at Kara in concern. That ‘oh!’ had sounded pained. “Kara? You okay?” “Um. No.” Both hands braced on the armrests of her seat, Kara swallowed hard. Her eyes were wide, and she’d gone dead pale. “My water just broke.” “Shit. Shit.” The box of Lemonheads hit the floor, candy scattering as Layla surged to her feet. She wiped her hands on her jeans. “Okay, we’re okay. You’re not having contractions, are you?” “I don’t think so. That means we have time, right? If I’m not having contractions? The baby’s not coming right now if I’m not having contractions. What are you doing?” she demanded when Layla fumbled out her phone. “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m Googling it.” “Googling it? Googling it?” “Yes, Googling it! What else do you want me to do, Kara? I’m not a doctor! I can’t—” She twirled one hand in the air like she was screwing in a lightbulb “—check your cervix, or whatever the fuck!” A hand clamped on Brynn’s arm, and she turned to Angela. “Go get your phone.” “What?” “Go get your phone. I need mine, so you have to record all this. Go.” “I—okay.” Grateful to get out of the fray, Brynn hurried down the steps. Behind her Angela said, “Okay, let’s calm down.” “I don’t want to calm down,” Kara replied, her voice carrying. “My water just broke, and she’s Googling—oh! Oh, shit whoa!” Fumbling the phone out of the tripod, Brynn glanced back. Kara was bent over, cl