“Your body is healing. It has changed and adapted to bring us not just one but two lives into this world.Youdid that. Now your body is healing, and it’s not a race, mama.” Her head falls back as my words sink in. “You will get back to doing the things you were used to doing. You’ll get back to opening your shop again, I know all your clients are dying to see you again.” Just then the monitor starts to crackle in Josie’s pocket. “I got him, I’ll meet you inside to start supper.” Giving her one last squeeze and a kiss to the top of her head, I make my way into the house.
My senses are assaulted as the intoxicating smell of Indian food hits me. My mouth begins to pool with saliva at the thought of devouring some buttered chicken and naan bread. Punching my fist in the air, mumbling a “fuck yea!” as I make my way into Hayes’ room. Grunts and huffs coming from the crib as I make my way closer. Arriving just before his face scrunches up and he lets out a large wail.
Quickly, I scoop him up and begin rocking and shushing him while I make my way to the change table. I’ve come to a rhythm as I change Hayes and get him dressed back up. Telling him about my day at work and my upcoming project that I’m excited for. I know he doesn’t understand a word I’m saying, and that’s fine too.
When we enter the kitchen, everyone is making their way inside. Shiloh has thrown his gear everywhere and is doing ninja rolls on hismats. I shake my head at the similarities we have. Shiloh has my energy tenfold, so I know I’m going to have my hands full with just him. There is no doubt in my mind that my boy has ADHD like his dad.
There is an advantage to also having it. I can understand the certain hiccups that come with your brain always on the go. The need to be moving, the constant party in your head that doesn’t seem to slow down. The overstimulation, the outbursts that sometimes happen when you’re overwhelmed. I can relate to it all, and I’ve learned different techniques and tricks that help me manage and be successful.
Hayes begins to fidget in my arms, rooting around my chest, telling me that he’s hungry.
“Okay little man, let’s get you eatin’,” I coo at him as I make my way over to Josie. Evie has started getting the dinnerware ready to eat, and I nod my head in appreciation as she does. Watching pink tint her cheeks as she quickens her pace to the dining table.
The three of us settle into a comfortable rhythm. With Josie squared away with Hayes, I begin to move the food to the dining table. Shiloh races back and forth from the living room to show off his ninja moves then attempts to put the utensils out, but knocks them all on the ground. Tears brim his eyes as he realizes his mistake. I go to reassure him that everything is alright, but Evie beats me to the punch. Rubbing his arm as she tells him that mistakes happen, and sometimes our brain moves faster than our body does.
After a few minutes everyone is settled at the table with their meals. I take the moment to take it all in. How natural everything has been going. Evie has fit in so well with the flow of how Josie and I move in our lives. Her melodic laughter as she plays with our son, the way she knows what Josie needs before she even knows it herself. Simple things like filling up her water bottle as Josie breastfeeds.
A content feeling washes over me as the easiness of it all.
As if there was always a missing piece that we didn’t know we needed…
Chapter Seven
Evie
Five Weeks Postpartum
“Fuck,fuck,fuck.”Imumble under my breath as I try to turn my key over in the ignition again. This can’t be happening. I was already running late this morning when my alarm didn’t go off. I forgot to plug my phone in and it wasn’t until my roommate started banging on the door to see if I was up did I realize my phone was dead. The last couple weeks have allowed for my body to naturally start to wake up this early, but I’m still not a morning person. I need that twenty minute drive to Monty and Josie’s to wake up and drink my coffee.
Now I not only won’t have time to pick up coffee, but I won’t be able to get there at all.
My body slumps in defeat as I give up trying to start my car. My breath plumes as it combines with the cold air, turning it into a pillowed cloud in front of my face. Tears begin to prickle at the back of my eyes as I realize I’m without a car, and I don’t know if I’ll be able to afford to fix it.
Just as I’m about to let my emotions take over and let myself have a cry, my phone chimes.
Harper: Did you know the moon has MOONQUAKES?!
A laugh bursts from me at my bestie and her random fucking facts. I don’t know if she senses the doom that was beginning to take over me.
Evie: I don’t even know how to respond to that… but that makes sense.
Harper: right? Like if earth has earthquakes… It just makes sense that the moon does too
Evie: *laugh emoji* you honestly made my morning a whole lot better.
I watch as she reads my message, then a moment later the screen lights up with my bestie's face on it. I take a breath before I accept the call.
“Hey” I huff a sigh, “You didn’t need to call you know.”
“What's wrong?” she demands, the tell tale bark of Winnie, her American Boxer, in the background.
A groan leaves my lips as I look around at my car. The one I’ve been avoiding taking into the mechanic because I thought it was nothing major. News flash, I was wrong. “My car won’t start, and I don’t think it’s something simple that’s wrong this time.”
The line is silent, and I begin to do some mental math in my head. If whatever is wrong with this car is fixable it’s going to cost me an arm and a leg to fix. Which brings me to my other option which would be to replace my car. Which will also cost me an arm and a leg. Basically I’m fucked. No amount of ramen noodles and dollar store cleaning products are going to allow me to afford this.
“I’m on my way, you have to get to Monty and Josie's right?” Harper’s voice breaks me out of my money spiralling.
“What no, Harps you don’t have to do that. I’ll just order a ride share” I protest. I don’t need my best friend coming to my rescue. I’m a big girl and can figure my own problems out.
