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She reminded me to take another shot of vodka if needed and try to get some sleep. “You always want to try and sleep when the baby sleeps,” she added on her way out the door. Her first piece of advice, and it was a winner.Sleep when the baby sleeps.
It was so simple I felt like a moron for not thinking of it but then again, Kenlee slept so sporadically I hadn’t been functioning on all cylinders. I decided against another shot but since Kenlee was sound asleep, I followed Katya’s advice and took a nap. I definitely needed one after last night.
Unbelievably, I slept better than I had in months. It was a welcome surprise and it was just what I needed. Hopefully, Katya would be able to help me have more days like this.
For the first time in months, I was hopeful.
Chapter Eight
Katya
SeeinghowdesperateZanewas made my decision easy. He looked like one of the abandoned puppy dogs in the SPCA commercials. Knowing I probably had that look about me when my son was a baby, I felt the urge to help the guy out. The extra money, of course, also sweetened the deal.
I was hoping I could keep Aleks from discovering I had this new source of income, however, that way I could buy Luca something for Christmas. The thought of seeing his eyes light up when he unwrapped a new toy warmed my heart and brought happiness to an otherwise depressing day. He was a good boy and deserved it.
Since I would be visiting Zane after my shift, I needed to make arrangements for Luca, so I texted my friend Addie to see if she could pick him up from school and watch him for a few hours. Over the years, Addie has been my guardian angel sent from Heaven. She was always willing to watch Luca, and in many ways has been like a mother to me. She was only forty, but you’d never know it. She didn’t look a day over thirty and acted even younger. I was pretty sure that was why she and Luca got along so well—she was young at heart.
I went to the employee lounge to get my phone and rest for a minute. In typical mom fashion, Addie answered almost immediately.
“Hey, Sweetie. How are you? Is everything okay?”
“Yes, everything is fine—”
“Why are you calling during the workday,” she interrupted. “Is Luca hurt? Do I need to go to his school and get him?”
Trying to contain my laughter, I put her mind at ease. “No Addie, Luca isn’t hurt. Everything is fine. I was just calling because I’ve been asked to work late and wanted to ask if you would be able to pick him up from school today. I know it is last minute, so I understand if it is too much of an inconvenience.”
“Hush now,” she said. “You and that little boy are never an inconvenience. You know I am happy to pick him up. I wish you would let me do it every day so he didn’t have to spend time with that loser boyfriend of yours, but I will take what I can get.”
Addie had never hidden her feelings about Aleks so I wasn’t offended. Besides, I knew he was a loser but I was stuck. I’d rather put up with a loser boyfriend than be out on the streets. Luca did not deserve to be homeless.
Even though I was fairly certain Addie would agree to help today, I was still relieved when she said yes. “Thank you so much. I appreciate it and I know Luca will be excited. He loves going to Aunt Addie’s house. I think he likes you more than me.”
“It’s just because I let him have as many chocolate chip cookies as he wants. Oh, and I feed him pizza. Pizza is the way to all kid’s hearts,” she said matter-of-factly.
“Addie, please don’t go out of your way to do anything extra. He will be fine with whatever you were planning on having for dinner anyway.”
“Nonsense. Let me spoil him, I enjoy it and besides, it gives me an excuse to blow my diet and eat food that actually tastes like something.”
We shared a laugh, but then I saw what time it was and I knew I had to get back to work. “Thanks again. I don’t know what we would do without you. I’ll be there to pick him up as soon as I can.”
In my mind, I could see her waving her hand at me as she said, “No rush. Take your time. We will be here whenever you’re off work.”
I finished my afternoon rounds rather quickly and found myself with twenty minutes to kill before heading to Zane’s so I decided to sit in the lounge and decompress. It had ended up being a good day but I would be lying if I said I wasn’t tired. I sat on the couch and closed my eyes when I heard people come in. They were talking about the employee Christmas dinner party. I had not planned on attending but since I was already working late, I figured I might as well. Maybe it would show my coworkers I was not a complete Scrooge.
I brushed my hair and teeth with the little toiletry bag I kept in my locker at work, then headed off to Zane’s.
Once I got to Zane’s suite, I knocked on the door and he opened the door looking more rested and a lot less hung over than this morning. He caught me by surprise looking so chipper and it almost took my breath away how handsome he was – tall, broad shoulders, in really good shape with beautiful brown eyes, although sad eyes. I wondered again what his story was.How did this good-looking single dad end up here with such a young baby?
Zane invited me in and offered me a seat in the living room where he and Kenlee were hanging out. “I’m glad to see you again Katya. I am anxious to learn some new parenting skills from you. Lord knows, I need them.
“Don’t be so rough on yourself, Zane. Your best will be good enough for her. I learned that the hard way. Kids are resilient and they feel your love.”
Maybe I was imagining it, but Zane seemed to be studying me carefully with a glint in his eye.Could this previously rude guy actually be a sweet girl dad?
We chatted a little and agreed on a time to meet tomorrow after my shift was over for “parenting consultation” as he called it. I had a sneaking suspicion that this was going to be interesting.
Zane opened the door for me and said, “See you tomorrow, Katya.” He was actually sounding like he was looking forward to it.
