As I continue at a hurried pace, Milo’s heavy footsteps chase behind in order to keep up.
“Hey, are you okay?” he asks, reaching my side.
I don’t give him a response. Instead, I continue in my angry march. Hot, sticky sweat coats the back of my neck and clings to my shirt collar.
“Let me take that,” Milo says, reaching for the carrier.
“Fine,” I mumble, relinquishing control.
My mind blackens as I try to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside of me. I look down at the baby carrier, and then up at Milo’s face. It’s becoming increasingly harder to comprehend the topsy-turvy nature of my life.
Fourteen
OurwalktoMainStreet was mostly silent. Periodically we’d check on the baby. It was eerily quiet, and we didn’t know if it was a good or bad sign. Coach said we needed to identify different cries, and so far we’d only heard random gurgling.
When we enter the cafe, Aunt Maddy double-takes at the carrier. “Umm. What is this?”
Milo flips it around so Maddy can see the fake baby.
“Coach Anders wants us to look after it all weekend,” I explain. “It’s an extra credit assignment for the both of us.”
Aunt Maddy grins at the baby and fights to hold back a laugh. “So, you two sixteen-year-olds have to look after a baby? Okay, cool.”
“Why do you look like you’re enjoying this concept?” I question.
Aunt Maddy smirks. “It’s just ironic.”
I pout. “Why? Because of Mom?”
Maddy’s face brightens as she nods.
“But, come on,” I say, latching onto my hips, “you can’t be for this impromptu assignment. It’s your last night, we’re still working on the catering menu, and I have a ton of other homework.”
Aunt Maddy finally lets her giggles out. “Oh, I’m more than fine with this. My problems are nothing compared to when I was twelve and helping care for a real-life baby.” Maddy leans down and plucks the fake baby out of the carrier. “Besides, this one hasn’t even made a sound.”
Cradled in Maddy’s arms, the fake baby gurgles.
Maddy giggles. “Oh, so he does work.”
Milo shows off his wristband. “He’s active for forty-eight hours and these bands monitor how we interact with him.”
“So, you really think it’s cool that Coach lumped us with this assignment?” I ask.
Aunt Maddy grins. “I’m just sad I won’t be able to see all of this play out. You are so spoiled, Jamie. I can’t imagine you devoting forty-eight hours to looking after someone else.”
My jaw drops and I let out an indignant gasp. “Spoiled? Me?”
“It’s not your fault,” Aunt Maddy replies. “Lily and I agreed we never wanted you to struggle for anything.”
My stomach sloshes like any time Mom is brought up.
Aunt Maddy offers the baby to me and I recoil. Luckily, Milo goes in for the handoff.
“I’m just going to sit in a booth with Milo,” I tell Aunt Maddy. “We need to read through the guidelines Coach sent us. Then I’ll be free to help you with the catering stuff.” I turn to Milo. “Is that cool?”
Milo nods. “Yeah, I can look after him now, seeing as you’re taking him tonight.”
Aunt Maddy giggles. “Oh good. I do get to see some of your suffering.”
