One
Annie stood knee-deep in the waters of Westcott Bay, fifty degree water pressing against her waders.
She stayed focused.So focused that she almost missed the vibration of her watch — her 3:30 alarm, telling her it was time to stop work or risk being late for picking up her twins, Noel and Leon, from daycare.
With an eight o’clock drop off, it didn’t leave much time for work, especially on a day she was in the field—like today.She’d nearly finished gathering the oysters to test for theVibrio parahaemolyticusbacteria, but another half hour would get her everything she needed…
It wasn’t worth being late, though.Annie stopped, casting her eyes toward the shoreline and wiping her hand on the inside of her jacket.
Fall on San Juan Island was beautiful, like every other season.Evergreens rose to the sky, standing out against the gray drizzle, and swathes of red- and yellow-leafed trees dotted the landscape.
When she and Roy had moved here during her pregnancy, he said it was the most beautiful place on earth.He used to sayshewas the most beautiful woman on earth.
Not beautiful enough, apparently, to keep him from becoming her ex-husband.
Annie waded out of the sea, the damp air chilling her skin, and walked back to the lab outpost.
Inside, she stripped off her waders and changed into the clothes she’d worn into work that day.
Annie paused to look at herself in the mirror.Her hair was wet, strands clinging to her forehead, but otherwise there were no signs she’d been at work.Scientist Annie was gone, replaced by Mom Annie.Her grey shirt was at least five years old, pilling at the seams, and her jeans pinched at the sides.
These were pre-pregnancy jeans, and despite the twins being nearly two-and-a-half years old, she refused to buy new ones.It was a matter of practicality.Jeans were expensive, and she’d have to go to the mainland to try on new styles.There was no time for such luxuries.
Plus, she had her pride.She’d fit into these jeans again without her love handles spilling over… one day.
She said a quick goodbye to her coworkers, then made the short drive to daycare and rushed inside.
Her dear friend Jacob had done pickups for a while, but when he and his girlfriend Mia got the chance to work in Vancouver, Annie insisted he take it.
“They don’t need me in Vancouver,” he’d said.“I’m needed here.”
“You’reappreciatedhere,” Annie said, “But I’m not going to hold you back.I’m fine!”
And she’d meant it.They had an amazing opportunity and were newly in love.Annie loved having him back on the island – they’d been close friends since high school – but she could handle things on her own.
Plus, Annie’s mom Clara was planning to retire and become her new helper.How much help did she need?
“Unfortunately,” Annie told him, grinning, “you’ve been made redundant.”
Jacob laughed.“I can’t compete with such an experienced candidate.”
“You really can’t.”
At first, it all went swimmingly.Her mom loved spending time with the kids, and after Annie had to sell her portion of the house in the divorce, she had moved into her mom’s small two-bedroom house with the kids.
She told herself it was only temporary, until she could get back on her feet.Her mom insisted it was better that way.Cozier.And for a while, it seemed true.
Then her mom fell while hiking and broke her hip, and Annie was back to the reality of drowning in laundry, dishes, and night wake-ups, while also trying to advocate for her mom.
“Hi!”Annie said, spotting the daycare teacher as she walked into the room.“How are you?”
She gave a small smile.“Doing well.How are you?”
“Good!Did Leon’s speech therapist come in today?”
“Yes,” she said softly, stepping closer.
Something in her facial expression made Annie’s stomach sink.
