I knew I would be going back home sooner or later. It was all a matter of time. Right now, there was no way that I’d take Joshua anywhere because I didn’t think I could handle stopping every few hours to feed and change a diaper. That, and also all of his doctors were here and they knew him. I wouldn’t be leaving yet.
Not for another few months at least.
I was sure that Zachariah was itching to get back, but he never said anything. He never acted as though we were a burden that had to be taken care of before he returned.
For once, it felt like we were a family with no worries. For once, we were just us.
After Zachariah hinted again to call someone, anyone, in the family, I finally did. I talked to Julia enough times, I knew it wasn’t her that he was hinting at me to call. No, he wanted me to call his sister.
So, I did after Josh was asleep in his bassinet and Zach was answering one of his calls. He had been making sure to not answer any phone calls unless it was family. Apparently, he was using this as a vacation. Whatever worked, I guess.
Violet answered on the second ring. It was as though she expected me to be calling, which I wouldn’t have put it past my husband letting her know.
“Hello, Avidya,” she greeted, sounding happy to hear from me.
“Hey, Violet,” I replied. “How are you doing?”
“Doing well. You?” she returned.
“Doing better now,” I answered. I really was.
“Good,” she sighed out. “When will you be back? We all miss you.”
“I’m not sure yet,” I stated. “I can’t come back until late next month, since Joshua has a doctor’s appointment that would be best to do here. Depending on that, then maybe that same week.”
“That would be good,” she said. “How’s Zach handling it all?”
“Better than I expected,” I answered truthfully. “I figured he’d yell and demand things. But he’s been great so far. To the both of us.”
“Good,” she sighed. “I would hang him by the balls if he wasn’t nice.”
I barked out a laugh, knowing how true that was. His entire family would have done that and more if Zachariah did anything to harm me, or make me do something I didn’t want to do.
“How’s Toby doing?” I asked.
“Today isn’t too bad of a day,” she sighed in answer. “He’s been more withdrawn since you left, and we can’t get him to really branch out from it at all. He had been talking to Melio, but that hasn’t happened for months now. He worries that I’ll get rid of him.”
“That wouldn’t ever happen,” I was quick to say.
“Never,” she agreed. “But he’s…well, he just has to see that won’t ever happen.”
“Do you think he’d talk to me?” I asked.
“Maybe. He’ll at least listen, I think. I’ll put on you speaker,” Violet said before there was a bit of background noise that indicated she was moving around to find the boy.
After a moment, I could hear Violet explaining to Toby that I was on the phone and wanted to talk to him.
Taking that was my go ahead, I spoke to him. I wasn’t sure if he’d answer, but at least he’d know I was okay.
“Hey, Toby,” I began. “You don’t have to talk to me, but I thought you’d like to know that I am okay. I’ll be back in a few months.”
“Please, Vidie,” he whispered so quietly I almost didn’t hear it.
“I’ll come back soon, I promise,” I said, fighting back tears. “And I’ll bring you something when I do. Will that be okay?”
“He nodded,” Violet spoke for him. “I’m sure he’d like that.”
“Good,” I smiled. “I’ll be back home before you know it.”
