The whole pregnancy thing was pretty new at the end of April, when I opened my big mouth. My wife and I had decided not to tell anyone right away, because for the first trimester things don’t always take. So, the thinking is that you don’t want to tell a bunch of people that you’re expecting, only to have to tell them all later that things didn’t work out, as it were. But, I’ve always been the kid who wants to know what’s in the box under the tree. Worse yet, I’ve always been the kid who can’t wait to tell you what’s in the box under the tree. My first real test was coming up, and I had every intention of KEEPING MY BIG MOUTH SHUT. You can probably guess that I failed miserably.
My friend and former boss has a deal with a local Major League Baseball team. He gives them two-way radios for the season in exchange for season tickets. Normally, it’s an even trade, but for some reason this year my friend had more coming to him than just the season tickets. So, he decided to apply the balance to a luxury suite for a Friday night game, and invite the players from our fantasy league. The night of the game came and another buddy of mine and I decided to carpool, since we live close to one another. We got to the game and were having a few beers, when I got a little loose lipped, and let something slip about my wife being knocked up. It was guy night, so we use terms like “knocked up,” instead of “with child.” Anyway, I told him that he was the only one who knew, so it had to be kept in the vault. He assured me that it would be no problem. Vault locked, key thrown away.
A couple nights later it was the birthday of my friend’s wife. They have a six-year-old son, who we agreed to babysit while they went out for dinner. The two of them went out for dinner and had a nice time. Their kid watched a movie, then told us “I’m going to bed.” Best kid ever. Anyway, after my friends got home we sat and chatted for a while until it was time for my buddy to hit the crapper and my wife and I to head home. My friend excused himself, and as we were saying goodbye to his wife she got a big smile on her face and then hugged my wife and squeeled, “congratulations!” Apparently, she has a spare key to my buddy’s vault. I thought I was in big trouble for spilling the beans, but my wife was pretty understanding. She knew I’d been drinking when we were at the ballgame. So, my buddy comes out of the bathroom and see’s what’s going on and says, “oh great!” If felt worse for him getting caught spilling the beans than I did for myself. In the end it was all good and I think we all felt a little better, my wife and I, for not having to carry the secret anymore. But, I sure did learn my lesson. Mum’s the word until we’re both ready to tell the world.
Cheers!
Papi