I look at Darcy and she grimaces.
“Don’t look at me. You know I’m staying at my mother-in-law’s house while my husband tries to fix the busted pipes that flooded our basement.”
Ugh, I do know this.
“Is there any way you could take Mazie for the weekend? Ms. Wilson will be back on Monday, and she said she can look into getting Mazie placed temporarily until she can find something permanent.”
Jerry has gone and lost his ever-lovin’ mind. He seriously can’t mean what I think he means?
“You wantme… to… to take care of a baby?”
“Well, I mean, I know it’s not the most ideal situation, Olly, but you’re a respected member of this community and well-liked. I think this little girl would be lucky to be in the care of an outstanding citizen like you.”
I roll my eyes, “You’re laying it on kinda thick, Jerry.”
I don’t think I have much choice in the matter.
It’s one weekend. I can handle that. I’ve watched my niece a few times… a couple of years ago… when she was first born.
I blow out a breath. Fuck, this is happening. One weekend. I can do this, even if it’s not a part of my normal daily routine. I can stuff down my anxiety. It’s fine.
“Okay, I’ll take her, but where is she supposed to sleep? I can’t keep her in the car seat. That, I at least know. It’s not safe.”
“I can make some calls and see if I can get a portable crib.”
“Oh, wait,” Darcy pipes in. “We have a playpen from when my granddaughter was little. I’ll have my husband drop it off tonight.”
Billy places Mazie back in my arms. “Well, looks like we have a plan. I’ll grab the formula and an extra pack of diapers.”
Jerry slaps my back, startling me, making it even more challenging to keep a firm hold on the little girl. “You have my number. Call me if you need anything.” Then the fuckers just turn around and walk out the door.
Looking down, the soft, warm weight of Mazie in my arms fills me with a sense of responsibility… protectiveness, as her small fingers grip onto my shirt. She needs me.
My eyes go wide and I swallow thickly.
Fuck! I’m responsible for a baby.
“Go easy on me, kid. I’m outta my depth here,” I whisper.
Mylegbounceslikea jackhammer as I sit in this irritatingly small waiting room. I swear to God if one person coughs on me, I’m outta here.
I hear a thunk and turn my head in horror to see the old man next to me bending down to pick his teeth up off the floor.
Nope, nada, that’s it.
The urge to flee overwhelms me, forcing me to stand and make my way to the exit.
“Jasper Valintine.”
Well, fuck!
With an attempt at nonchalance, I turn around and raise my hand as I walk toward the nurse who called my name.
“Hi, Jasper. Please,come with me.”
She leads us through the same set of doors that opened and closed a hundred times while I sat in the middle of GermFest. And no, it wasn’t the summer festival I prefer.
Making our way down the corridor of hallways, she slows down, finally turning into a room at the very end.
