Falina acted as if she had a say in mine and my child’s life, but the truth was, I needed a break. Just a little one. Just one night of uninterrupted sleep.
I smiled back and agreed. “You’re right. One night won’t hurt.”
“Exactly. One night will restore you. Make you a better mom.”
I nodded, filling the last jar of salt.
“Now go on. You’ve been here long enough. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She didn’t have to tell me twice. I stopped what I was doing and made my way to the kitchen. I grabbed my coat and purse, practically running out the door as I shot Alba a quick text.
Isla: Leaving WE now!
Alba: I’ll have her ready to eat!
At least there wasn’t much traffic after nine in the evening. However, it still felt like it took forever to get to Alba’s place with my boobs aching worse than I could ever remember experiencing.
I blasted music to distract me.
Sang along off pitch on purpose.
Bounced in my seat as if I had to pee. But now that I thought of it, my bladderwasfull.
I was literally sweating as I pulled in front of Alba’s duplex forty-two minutes later and bolted out of the car and ran to her door.
It flung open. “Wow! You made it in record time.” She laughed with my baby in her arms.
“I’m dying here.” I snatched Pippa out of Alba’s arms, smothered her with kisses as I sat and unhooked my bra. She squirmed, equally desperate for my mommy juice. “Here you go lovebug.”
She latched on and the letdown was immediate… On both sides.
“Shoot. The dam broke. I need a towel or burp rag.”
Alba quickly got me a dish cloth. “You look exhausted, babe.”
“I am.” I stuffed the towel into my bra, then relaxed in the chair, and stared at my baby. “Not only did I have to work a double, but I also had to train a new guy.”
“New guy? Was he good looking?”
“He wasn’t ugly.”
“Ooh, tell me more.” Alba sat across from me on the sofa.
“Don’t get excited. I’m not interested.” I lifted my gaze and met hers.
“Oh, pooh.” She rolled her eyes.
“You might be interested though. He’s going to be a doctor, family practice.”
“Girl, sign me up!” Her face brightened and she shimmied her shoulders. “I’d love to have someone to split the bills with.”
God, me too.“I have a major favor to ask.” I bit my bottom lip.
“Ask. But the answer is yes.”
I shook my head. “You don’t even know what I’m going to say. I might want to switch jobs with you so I could be home with Pippa.”
“And I’d say yes.” She smiled, her eyes full of love and compassion.
