This story is by Calysta Thompson and was part of our 2016 Winter Writing Contest. You can find all the Winter Writing Contest stories here.
I can feel Amy’s presence before I see her. It is something that precedes her for miles. That and the stroller is fairly distinctive. When she finally catches up to herself, she plops onto the bench beside me, sitting facing towards me and takes a generous sip from her coffee mug.
“Good morning.” I greet, smiling brightly at her. Amy merely hums in acknowledgement, still trying to swallow the ridiculous amount of coffee in her mouth. “Late night?”
“Mhmm. However, a certain Miss Bea is perfectly pleased to sleep now.” Amy turns the stroller towards me and I smile despite myself.
“So why aren’t you at home napping? Isn’t that what they say? Nap while she does or something like that?” I manage to tear my eyes off Bea long enough to make eye contact with my friend. As soon as I do I fear that I have made her think she is doing something wrong.
“I mean, yes, they do. But I don’t listen, mostly because the idea of me being dead asleep while there is no one else in the house seems terrifying to me. But also because coffee tastes so good and actual adult conversation keeps me sane. That and counselling, which I was up to going to this week, which is nice.” Amy adds at the end, tucking in the blanket even more around Bea, the action seeming more nervous twitch than parental worry.
“How does that work? Did you have to hire someone to take care of her those mornings?” Bea begins the fidget and I run my finger slowly down her tiny arms in an effort to sooth her. Again, the fear is there, worrying that I have made Amy question her parenting.
“Hugh takes care of her those mornings. To be honest I think those are his favourite mornings. It’s kind of precious actually, to come home and see father-daughter bonding. It’s nice because he is a lot stricter about tummy time.” Bea has grabbed my finger and seems to not want to ever let go. Not that I mind.
“That’s good. I’m glad that he’s so involved.” Bea starts to fuss. “May I?” Amy nods and I stand and gently take her out of her stroller, whispering soothingly the whole time. Bea quiets quickly. “She’s such a good baby.” Amy nods.
“I mean, I have no frame of reference, and I’m probably very biased but I think she is perfect.” Amy reaches out, offering her finger to Bea, who promptly tries to shove it into her mouth via her cheek.
“Wanna go grab something to eat? We can go to that great cafe?” I offer, knowing how much Amy loves their hashbrowns.
“Sure. You okay carrying her? She’s grown a fair bit in three months.”
“I’ve got her. I can always put her down later if I get tired. Just pass me that blanket so she doesn’t get cold.” Amy reluctantly pulls her finger away and passes me the blanket and we head off.
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I know that Zoe is going to be there waiting for me. There is no way that I could have beat her here, especially not with the clothing crisis this morning. I collapse onto the bench as soon I reach it, barely stopping to put the brakes on the stroller. I take a huge swig of coffee and sigh.
“Good morning.” Zoe smiles. I hum around the mouthful of coffee. “Late night?”
“Mhmm. However, a certain Miss Bea is perfectly pleased to sleep now.” I mutter, turning the stroller towards me. She’s been asleep since I hit the road this morning.
“So why aren’t you at home napping? Isn’t that what they say? Nap while she does or something like that?” Panic shoots through me, my eyes scanning her face for any signs of her judging me before remembering who I am talking to and calming.
“I mean, yes, they do. But I don’t listen, mostly because the idea of me being dead asleep while there is no one else in the house seems terrifying to me. But also because coffee tastes so good and actual adult conversation keeps me sane. That and counselling, which I was up to going to this week, which is nice.” I notice that one of the corners of Bea’s blanket is coming out and she could be getting cold. I tuck in her blanket, trying not to seem paranoid.
“How does that work? Did you have to hire someone to take care of her those mornings?”” Bea fidgets at the change and I try to remember that she is just trying to be helpful when my friend starts to stroke her arm.
“Hugh takes care of her those mornings. To be honest I think those are his favourite mornings. It’s kind of precious actually, to come home and see father-daughter bonding. It’s nice because he is a lot stricter about tummy time.” Bea reaches out to grab Zoe’s finger and I try to remind myself why it is ridiculous to be jealous.
“That’s good. I’m glad that he is so involved.” I have to remind myself that Zoe is not saying this to be bitchy and that she truly means it. Bea starts to fuss. “May I?” I nod and she stands and gently takes her out of her stroller, whispering soothingly the whole time. Bea quiets quickly. “She’s such a good baby.”
“I mean, I have no frame of reference, and I’m probably very biased but I think she is perfect.” I reach out, offering my finger to Bea, who promptly tries to shove it into her mouth. I smile at this tiny precious being that I love so much.
“Wanna go grab something to eat? We can go to that great cafe?” Zoe suggests. I’m assuming she means the one with the great hashbrowns.
“Sure. You okay carrying her? She’s grown a fair bit in three months.” I smile a little inside, thinking of the tiny creature that I brought home.
“I’ve got her. I can always put her down later if I get tired. Just pass me that blanket so she doesn’t get cold.” I reluctantly pull my finger away and pass Zoe the blanket and we head off.
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