I spoon some oatmeal and put it in front of him, but his hand flings, and the spoonful splashes across the room.
“Okay, let’s try this again.”
I spoon more food and lightly keep his hand down.He accepts the food, but then his bottom lip trembles and his eyes water.
“No, buddy.”
I attempt to stop any tears, but that’s another thing I never realized.How much babies cry.I’m not built to hear anyone cry, least of all a baby who might be… well, most likely is my son.
Somehow, I manage to get him as fed as I can, but he’ll need a bottle.
A text comes in on the team thread about practice tomorrow and going out after.
I have no babysitting set up or even know who to ask besides my teammates’ wives or girlfriends.And they have their own babies to care for.
Tanner has gone from extremely happy to sour after eating.
I rock him.
I walk him.
I toss him in the air.
None of my tricks work, and I’m slowly going insane trapped in this apartment with an unhappy baby.
I’ve tried to be the good adult, staying in my condo all day, letting my friends spend their time together before the season starts, but Daddy needs a little break.
I pack him up and grab the diaper bag, then head down a level to Decker’s place.
After I knock, Decker opens the door, looking more annoyed than happy to see me.
“I cannot do this.”I walk into their condo.
Decker nods.“Yes, you can.”
I stop in the living room and put Tanner down in his carrier.“He won’t stop making that sound.”
“What sound?”Penelope asks, joining us from the kitchen.
“The—” I mimic his soft whimpering noise when I can’t calm him.
Hazel jumps off the couch and crouches next to the carrier, taking Tanner’s hand in hers.“I can hold him.”
“You’re seven,” I say.
Hazel looks offended.“I held Ellis when I was six.”
I look at Decker, and he shrugs.
I look at Penelope, and she shrugs.
Might as well give it a shot.What do I have to lose right now?
“Hazel, sit in the corner of the couch.”Penelope nods in the direction of the living area.
She scrambles up while I undo the buckles and lift Tanner.
Five minutes later, Hazel is on the couch with the baby in her arms.Sparkles, their dog, sits up and observes like she wants to get closer, but Decker keeps reminding her she can’t.
