Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 693(@200wpm)___ 554(@250wpm)___ 462(@300wpm)
I feel guilty for feeling this way but it’s a rational thought I suppose. Nobody can blame me for wanting to protect my son, even if it is from family.
Especially considering what happened with Nathan, I trust Nathan, truly I do, but I need to be sure. His family does not have the best track record and I can’t risk Dillan suffering the same fate.
Nobody knows what transpired back at Nathan’s, not even Sasha. I just tell them we had a very bad argument. They all know I’m withholding from them, but it’s not my business to tell. Besides, I wouldn’t know where to begin.
Jeanine: He’s agreed and will pick him up on the eighth. I’m glad that’s sorted. How are you?
I should ask her about Nathan but I don’t want her to be stuck in the middle. It’s not fair on her, considering she has to work with him. As much as I’m tempted, I don’t want to make this awkward for her so I tell her my news instead.
Guinevere: I got the job!! So I’m great. Dillan is trying to eat my knee and my mum is a lot better than I expected.
Jeanine: Oh my darling, I’m so happy for you. Maybe this move was the best thing for you after all.
Falling back onto my pillow, I pick up Dillan and cuddle him to my chest. His little head bobs up and down, a trail of drool dribbling from his lip to the curve of my breast. Nice. “Gross little monkey!” I giggle, causing him to smile again.
He looks so much like Caleb when he smiles, but it doesn’t break my heart; it warms it and fills my mind with beautiful memories.
My mum leaves without more than a goodbye; she’s really late. I wave to her using Dillan’s baby fist before closing the door and sitting down in the living room. After placing him in his bouncer I slump on the couch and let out a long and tired sigh. I can’t wait until Sasha arrives. Maybe she’ll let me sleep for a while.
Doubtful.
******
“He just puked on me, which would be okay if it was normal baby milk out of a carton, but it’s not. It’s breast milk, from your boobies obviously, which is really grossing me out!” This is Tommy, who has decided to tag along with Sasha.
“Stop being such an idiot,” Sasha laughs and begins wiping at the small spot of drool and dribble on Tommy’s black polo shirt with a bib.
I smile at their close proximity. I’ve never noticed before just how good they both look together. I don’t think Caleb did either, or at least he never mentioned it.
Neither of them have been able to hold a partner down for long and now I’m wondering if all of these dates they go on are nothing more than a way to get at each other’s jealous sides. Nah, I’m reading into things to distract myself from my own mess of a life.
“Nathan got in touch today,” I chew on the inside of my cheek as I assess their reactions. They look as shocked as I felt at the time of receiving the letter. “He wants to take Dillan for a few days on the eighth.”
“A few days?” Sasha questions and then shrugs a little. “He probably misses him.” Well duh. “Reckon he’ll speak to you too?”
I hope so. “He’ll have to if he wants to take Dillan.”
“In other news,” Tommy announces, noticing my discomfort over speaking about Nathan. “I’m graduating early.”
“What?” I breathe, smiling broadly. “Oh my god, Tommy that’s amazing!” I rush to him and hug his head, mainly so I don’t crush Dillan between us.
“I start an internship at a firm in Doncaster in a few weeks.”
Wow. “Are you moving there? It’s a long commute.”
“It’s only a two hour drive. I’ll be home most weekends.” Realising I’m still hugging him, I release his head and slap him when he pouts at being separated from my boobs. “But they’re so big and bouncy.”
“They might leak on you.” Sasha chips in, making us both giggle when he cringes.
“Take the baby. I need to piss.” Tommy hands Dillan to Sasha before exiting the room.
“I need to get him settled.” I hold out my hands and she reluctantly passes him to me.
My friends leave not too long after I settle Dillan and I’m starting to wonder if they actually come to see me or him. Not that I’m complaining. It’s good to see them, whatever the reason.
Sleep comes quickly, but then I have had a busy day.
******
Valentine is a character. She doesn’t have any rules. As long as I make shit she can sell (her words, not mine) then she’s happy. Obviously she has to have certain customer favourites up front, but mostly she tries to do something different every day.