“Thank you, Cy,” I muttered under my breath.
“Huh?”
“Kick it off, maestro.” My hand lifted and I waved her on.
With a shrug as we walked to Doogie’s, Dace launched into a string of country hits, ranging from Friends in Low Places, which I wholeheartedly sang along with her to, to Wide Open Spaces, which I couldn’t do justice and hummed along to as she softly belted it out beside me.
“That was kinda fun,” Dace announced as we reached Doogie’s door.
Doogie threw the door open before we could even knock. The screeching from inside, muffled behind the door, hit full volume as he poked his head out. Grabbing for Dace, he barked something in relief at Elle that had her calling out to Carrie. “Goot! Come! Help!”
“I- Whoa!” Dace yelped as she was yanked inside the house.
“She’s not a ragdoll,” I snapped as Doogie manhandled her.
The male froze and released her arm at my warning and quickly apologized.
“Awww. Poor thing. What’s wrong?” Dace was already rushing over to Carrie as Orrellie wailed her flushed little head off.
“I think she’s teething. She’s just so miserable.” Carrie’s eyes were red like she’d been crying along with her little one. They were all looking a little ragged and sleep deprived.
“Sing like Dace do for Doogie Orrie, you come see my Carrie?” Doogie’s voice was just shy of pleading.
Dace glanced around the room worriedly. “I don’t know that it’ll help but I can try.”
Knowing little ones can pick up on stress, I held my hands out in offering. “May I try while she sings?”
Carrie nodded and I walked over and took the wailing babe from her. Orrie had gotten used to me. She didn’t mind when I held her.
“What song should I sing?” Dace asked.
“Baby one. Carrie sing that one too. Try that one. Sing loud,” Elle suggested.
““Baby Mine”. It’s from Dumbo. I love that movie.” Dace nodded and rocked herself from side to side like she was holding an imaginary infant as she sang.
Getting Orrie settled on my chest, I hummed along and rocked her as Dace sang.
Doogie looked like he might cry himself as slowly, as we kept going, Orrie finally settled, then promptly passed the hell out.
“Do you want a nap too?” Dace asked as she finished the song on the fourth go ‘round.
“You wouldn’t mind?” Carrie blurted. Running a hand through her hair, she let out a huge yawn.
“Go. We’ve got it,” Dace urged them.
Doogie couldn’t get down the hall fast enough, making Carrie laugh quietly and Elle softly snort on their way.
Dace started singing again, but softer now. She stared at Orrie with such longing. My heart hurt for her. We’ve had plenty of conversations about the future. She always spoke of babies in hers.
Humming along again as she sang, I wondered if I’d ever get to experience this for myself.
Was it wishful thinking on my part? Was I just deluding myself? Was Dace?
Orie had herself a nice little nap and so did her parents. Not only did Doogie help us with the symbols we needed for Dace’s book translations but we were sent home with so much food in thanks we weren’t sure we’d be able to eat it all.
We got back late, no sign Kehl had stopped by. My note from him felt like it was burning a hole in my pocket.
Everything was so topsy turvy I had no idea which way was up anymore.
