Love’s Suicide(54)
Author: Jennifer Foor

He grabbed my hand and I stopped. “When’s he comin’ again? Did he talk about it?”

I looked down at the floor, hoping to wait out on telling him. “He said something about coming this evening. I think he said around three thirty. He wanted to take B to the park if it was nice, but I told him he wasn’t taking her anywhere without me or you there.”

He raised his one brow. “You said me?”

I smiled, remembering Brooks suggesting in a joking way that we all tag along. “Yes,” I lied. I hated myself for doing it, but I knew it put his mind at ease.

Bobby said nothing.

“We could just meet him there if you want.”

He shook his head. “No. I’ll stay here. You can go and make sure she don’t get scared. He is still a stranger.”

I understood what he meant, but hated that’s what he was to her. It was about to change.

When I climbed back into my bed my head was pounding. Bobby was probably cussing me out in his mind and Brooks, even though he seemed calmer, wanted my head on a stake. I was tired of crying, knowing it got me nowhere.

Just like B learning something new, I had to learn to take baby steps. I had to be patient and kind if I wanted this to all work out. For the sake of my daughter and my family, I had to put my feelings for Brooks aside and focus on everyone else. I was the glue that was going to hold it all together and I wasn’t willing to lose any of them in the process.

Chapter 31

“Katy, wake up.”

I sat up in the bed and saw Bobby standing at the door. “What time is it?”

“Around three forty. Brooks is here.”

I jumped out of bed, scrounging around for clothes. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“You needed your rest. Besides, he’s got B outside and said he’d wait if you wanted to go with him.”

I stopped what I was doing and looked at him. “What should I do? I won’t go if you don’t me to.”

Bobby scratched his head. “It’s fine, Katy. I’d rather you be there.”

I pulled on a pair of shorts and rushed to find a shirt. “When I get home, I can bring us a pizza.”

“You probably won’t be back for a while. I’ll make somethin’ here.”

I felt so bad, knowing that he was going to be sitting at home, consumed with hurt. “Are you sure you don’t want me to stay?”

“I’m sure. If B gets scared she’s goin’ to need you there.”

I ran into the bathroom, to use the facilities and brush my teeth. When I came back out, Bobby was sitting on the bed with his face covered. I walked up and wrapped my arms around him. “If you need anything, you let me know by calling.”

He nodded, but said nothing as I walked out the door.

Part of Bobby’s problem was that he was exhausted. He needed to rest and would probably go to sleep as soon as I was gone. By the time I got back he would be feeling better and we could have a rational conversation about how the afternoon had gone with Brooks and B.

Upon going outside, I spotted Brooks pushing our daughter on her favorite swing. She was fastened up in it so she couldn’t slide out. She didn’t even notice me standing there. No, she was too occupied with her new friend to notice her own mother waving.

Brooks however, noticed me right away. I watched his jaw clench as I got closer. “Hey. Sorry about that. I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

I heard him let out an air-filled laugh. “You think I could sleep? Kat, I just found out that I have a kid. Every aspect of my life is about to change. Sleep is the last thing that’s on my mind.”

I didn’t know what to say to that. “So would it be easier if I drove, since I have the car seat in my car already?”

He stopped the swing and started getting B out. “Yeah, if you don’t mind.”

I walked to the car figuring he would follow me over. He sat her down in the seat and looked at all of the fasteners. “I might need your help. I’ve never done this before.”

I rolled my eyes, laughing at his inexperience. “There’s a lot of things you’re going to have to learn.” I hooked B up and pointed to the travel bag that I kept in the car. She didn’t need formula or bottles, but when duty called I knew I had to have diapers and wipes on hand. Though she’d been using her little potty more frequently, she hadn’t conquered the whole potty training thing.

He climbed in the passenger seat and we were soon on our way. “So where are we going?”

“Is there a park nearby?”

“There are several. If you really want to see B smile, we should take her to the indoor play park. She gets a kick out of climbing through the tunnels and going down the slides.”

Brooks gave B his attention as I was driving, and to be honest, I didn’t know what to say to him. This had all come out so sudden that we all needed to remain calm and not jump into any decisions.

I could tell that Brooks wasn’t used to being around kids when we walked inside of the play park. Screaming kids were running around like crazy animals. With his one good arm, he held onto B, like he wasn’t willing to put her down in the madness.

I laughed at him and reached for her. “Come on sweet girl. You want to go play?”

“Mama, slide. I go slide.”

Brooks smiled when she spoke. “Have fun, little bug.”

“Bug? You nicknamed our daughter already?”

He shrugged and smiled with a full mouth of those stunning white teeth. “I couldn’t help it. She’s my little B.”

We sat down on a bench next to each other so we could watch her enjoying herself. Right away she was following around two little girls that looked to be a couple years older than her.

“So, I had a lot to think about when I left last night. I think the first thing that needs to be addressed is my parents. Look, Kat, I don’t care about my brother, but Mom and Dad need to meet her. I get that you’re going to be mad, but I asked them come visit next weekend. I hope you don’t already have plans.”

I started to open my mouth and make something up, knowing how them finding out was going to add to the stress of the situation. Then I retracted those thoughts. I’d had two years to love my sweet girl and they didn’t even know she existed. They would love her and do anything to be a part of her life. Keeping them from knowing would only hurt her in the long run and I didn’t want that. “I guess I’ll talk to Bobby and see if we can drop her off to you. Are you able to baby proof your house? Do you even live in a house or an apartment?”