“I don’t know man,” I say hesitantly. “Erin is still so little, the thought of leaving her even for a few hours makes my skin crawl.”
“Uncle Jack sounds a lot like Daddy Jack these days…you ready to talk about your feelings yet?”
“First of all, never call me daddy again,” I growl. “Second, can we go back to pre-Ellie Griffin? You know, the one who never talked about feelings. Ever.”
“I wouldn’t go back to pre-Ellie Griffin for anything, she’s the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“I know man, I’m just messing. If Abby says yes, then sure, I’ll come out.”
“She’ll say yes. Ellie won’t take no for an answer.”
“Sweet Ellie Bellie sure does turn scary real quick.”
“Don’t I know it,” he chuckles. “God, I love her. Anyway, see you tonight.”
When the call ends, I see that Abby has sent an onslaught of additional texts.
Abby:It’s totally okay if she can’t
Abby:It’s just that Alan and Andrea are out of town, and my dad is an anxious mess about being alone with her, and Nate is a human tornado
Abby:The only other person I’d trust baby girl with is Granny
Abby:Shit, did that cross a boundary?
Abby:Sorry, I shouldn’t have asked. Ignore me.
Pinching the bridge of my nose and heaving a sigh, I bring the phone back to my ear, the call barely ringing once before she picks up.
“I’m sorry, that was totally inappropriate. Of course Granny can’t watch Erin, and I shouldn’t have asked,” she rattles off at lightning speed.
“Abby, it’s okay. I’m sure she’d love to. You know how she is around the tiny pretty girl, she’s completely enamored.”
I hear her sigh of relief and can picture exactly how her shoulders just relaxed.
“Sometimes I forget how unorthodox this is. It feels like you’re my partner in this, but that’s not fair to you. And I shouldn’t rely on you so much, it’s unfair to–”
“Shh, calm down pretty girl,” I say, the nickname both bitter and sweet on my tongue. “It may not be a typical partnership, but you can rely on me. For as long as you want.”
A long pause on the other end of the call makes me immediately regret my words.
So much for friendly and casual.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean that we’re actually partners, just that, well I like being there for you, and it’s never felt like an obligation, and–”
“Shh, calm down Jack Robbit,” she giggles, repeating my own words back to me.
“Don’t call me that,” I say, grinning.
“Not a chance,” she says, and I can tell she’s smiling just from her tone. “Okay, if you really think she’d be okay with it, please call her. Tell her it will just be for a few hours. I don’t think I can handle any longer than that.”
Her voice cracks on the last word, and God I wish I was there to wrap my arms around her. She gets close to tears when she leaves Erin for twenty minutes to go take a shower–this will be the longest she’s left her, and I know it’s going to be difficult for her.
“You’ll both be okay,” I assure her. “I’ll have Granny come to the house and watch her there, that way you can see her the second you get home.”
“Thank you,” she whispers, voice wavering. “I seriously don’t know what we’d do without you.”
“You’d be just fine. You’re incredible.”
