“I know, I think it’s what happened with Rebekah,” I mumble.
She nods. “I figured it was.”
“I’m trying to keep us on our schedule and talk to her about it. We talked the night it happened, but I think I need to sit her down again.”
“I’ll get some ice cream scooped, go talk to her now,” Aunt Dixie says.
“What? Come on, I’m tired, you’re tired, she’s tired. Maybe it should wait.”
“Coop, if I’ve learned anything about raising kids, it’s addressing it as soon as you can. Don’t let it build in their little hearts. She doesn’t understand how to sort her emotions right now, and we need to be an example.”
My eyes drop from hers.Then I’m doing a terrible job of that, and I need to do better.
“Alright,” I sigh, and trudge into the living room.
“Your timeout is up, missy,” Aunt Dixie calls from the kitchen.
Naomi spins around and gives me those pleading eyes. “Come here, Naomi.”
Her head drops, and she slowly walks over to me on the couch as if she’s about to meet her fate.
“Naomi, you know I love you, right?”
She pouts, her lower lip puffed out.
“I know what happened with Rebekah was hard, it was scary, and you didn’t know what to do. I’m sorry I wasn’t there. I should have been, and I’m sorry.”
She doesn’t respond, focusing on her feet.
“We need to talk about this. I know you told me when it happened, but I’m worried about you.”
Naomi lifts her hand and pats her heart.
“I know it hurts, princess, so you need to tell me what you’re feeling.”
Her lower lip wobbles and she bursts into tears. “My mommy doesn’t love me, and I made her mad, and she left.”
“Naomi Nicole Hayes. This is not your fault. You are not the one who made her leave. She…” I take a deep breath. “She left for other reasons, but it is not your fault.”
“What are the reasons?” she asks.
“Honestly, princess, I have no idea. She won’t talk to me.”
Naomi drops her head and sighs. “Why?”
“I’m not sure, but I love you, and it’s going to be okay.” I hug her tightly because I don’t know what else to say, or how else to make it better.
“Okay,” she says.
“Are we ready for ice cream?” Aunt Dixie says.
“But we haven’t had dinner,” Naomi says.
“I think we can make an exception this one time,” I tell her.
She hops off the couch and runs into the kitchen, and I lean back, closing my eyes for a minute.
I haven’t talked to Mae in a couple of days because every time I go to call her after I put Naomi to bed; I pass out the moment my head hits the pillow. I miss talking to her.
