Gemma pulled out her phone and showed me the latest pic. “He’s so perfect, Asa. I can’t even believe he’s mine.”
I smiled at the baby’s chubby cheeks and chunky legs. “He’s getting big.”
“I call him Chunk.” She giggled. “I just want to bite his legs all the time. And those cheeks. So plump and soft. I kiss him at least twenty times a day.”
“That’s what you’re supposed to do.”
“Right?”
“Has Ana been to see him?”
She nodded, popping another piece of cauliflower in her mouth. “They were here last month. She was a huge help.”
“Good.”
“Your mother came to see him too when she visited Paityn a couple of weeks ago.”
“She told me.”
“Mama Vicki is the best. She brought so much shit to the house. Diapers, onesies, little socks, pacifiers, a swing, one of those little bouncy things . . . I need a third bedroom just to fit everything her and Ana gave me.”
I chuckled. “That sounds like her.”
“I’m grateful, though. I need all the help I can get.”
“How’s work? Did you go back yet?”
Gemma worked in tech. She was a Network Engineer. She made good money and had a flexible, remote schedule. Which helped now that she had to take care of Ezra.
“I’m back at work. I’m just glad I don’t need to take him to daycare. I don’t know if I would’ve been able to do it. He’s still so little. He can’t talk or tell me if someone is being shady.”
My phone buzzed again. I glanced at the screen.
Rissa
Are you still there?
Instead of replying, I turned my phone over, and forced my attention back to Gemma.
“Who was that?” she asked, eyeing my phone.
“Nobody.”
Gemma stared at me, studying me. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m good. Are you?”
“I already told you.” She winced a little. “My back is kind of hurting though. I think I slept wrong or something.”
“Is the baby sleeping in the bed with you?”
She smiled. “I promise I’m going to put him in the crib soon. Karma moved in last week and?—”
“Already?” I interrupted.
Her shoulders fell. “Bro. Come on.”
“Fine,” I relented. “Go ahead.”
