“No where,” she said with a shake of her head.“Maybe out into the common room.I can’t really go anywhere else, can I?”She turned and left the room, knowing there was nothing she could do until the updated divorce petition came in from Fletch.It gave her some time to spend with the other women.Maybe they could distract her for a bit.
Before she made it out the door, she heard Carter fussing.A quick check of her watch told her he was likely hungry.And knowing her son, he probably needed a clean diaper too.
“Here,” she said to Taylynn as she stepped into the room.“It’s close to nap time.Why don’t I take him.I’ll take him upstairs, get him changed and fed, then lay him down.”
“I can if you have something you need to be doing,” Taylynn offered.
Tania shook her head.“I’ve got time.I’m waiting for some changes before I can sign.”She turned her attention to Carter.“Have you been good for Aunty Taylynn?Are you ready to go up and get something to eat?”She brought one hand to her mouth in the ASL sign for eat as she said the word.Carter tried to repeat the sign but seemed to lose interest.From what she’d read that was normal.He was just getting to the age where most babies started to use signs, if they were taught it.
“Oh!You’re teaching him signs?”Taylynn’s eyes lit up.
“I’m trying.I don’t know a lot but I picked up a couple of e-books on baby signs and we’re working on them.
“Oh.Let me know which book, I’ll get it and I’ll help you.”
“I’ll do that, or you can pick up a different one and we can trade so hopefully we learn a little more.”
“That’s a good idea.Tell me which book not to get.”
“I’ll show you after I get him down.You going to be around?”Tania picked up the baby and settled him onto her hip.
“I don’t have anywhere else to go.And even if I did, I’m not sure I want to deal with the hassle of leaving the compound right now.”
“Sorry about that,” Tania winced, feeling guilty that none of them could leave alone or do hardly anything without a shadow.This was her fault.
“Not your fault,” Taylynn said with a wave of her hand.“It happens now and then.We’ll deal like we always do.Do you play cards?”
“Not in a long time, but I enjoyed it when I played.It’s been so long I’ve forgotten how to play or what we even used to play.You’ll have to teach me whatever you want to play.”
“No problem.We can get the girls together and have our own version of poker night.We’ll see what everyone wants to play and figure it out from there.”
Carter started fussing again.
“Go.We’ll figure this out later,” Taylynn said with a wave.
Tania headed upstairs.The longer it took her to get him changed and started feeding, the harder it would be to get him to settle.He’d had so much turmoil in the last couple of days she didn’t want to stress him any more than she had to.
