“Ten minutes.”
“I’m sure she’s fine, your dad would’ve known if she was sick, wouldn’t he?”
“He’s not here now though, what if…”
“I’m on my way.”
I’m in the car, driving across the city and parking up out front of her house in under twenty minutes.
She’s pacing the living room, while Elsa-Marie cries in her arms. Frantic fear radiates in Amelia’s eyes.
She passes her over as soon as I’m near and as soon as I have her in my hold, she quietens down and a soft sob shudders through her.
With her mouth hanging open, Amelia drops down on the couch and cries into her hands.
I feel Elsa-Marie’s forehead and she doesn’t feel warm. I put her pacifier in, and her eyes soon flicker closed. Within a couple of minutes, she’s asleep and I lay her in her crib.
“She hates me.”
Crouching before Amelia, I tip her chin up until she’s looking me in the eye.
“She doesn’t hate you.”
“Please, she’s been screaming for over an hour, you show up and she instantly settles.”
“She must miss me.” I smile to cheer to her up.
“How am I meant to settle her at night when it’s you she wants?” she snaps before a yawn takes over.
“How about I stay over for a couple of nights until we can get her into a routine?”
“You’d do that?”
It kills me she would think I wouldn’t.
“Sure. Lay down and get some sleep, I’m going to go for a smoke while I wait for your dad to get back.”
She lays down on the couch and I drape the blanket over her. She’s soon out for the count and I sit out on the front steps and take out my smokes.
I should give up now I have Elsa-Marie, but I light up and inhale long and hard.
It’s pretty chilly out tonight and I pull my sleeves down to ward of the chill.
By the time I’ve finished my cigarette and stubbed it out in the nearest plant pot, the gates are opening and Mr. Haynes is driving through.
“What are you doing here?” he asks, climbing out of his car that is probably worth more than my house.
“Amelia called me in tears, the baby wouldn’t settle. They’re both asleep now.”
He grabs two large bags of diapers from the back seat, and I stand.
“I told her to get some sleep last night when Elsa was sleeping. But she wouldn’t, she just sat there watching her.”
I can understand, I’d have probably done the same if I were here.
Inside, Mr. Haynes dumps the diapers in the hall and pokes his head into the living room.
He points to the kitchen, and I follow him. He grabs two glasses and a bottle of whiskey.
