Page 6 of You First
Meredith let her book bag slip to the floor as she took a seat beside him, smiling widely. “Yes, Mama will sit. I don’t need to leave.”
“Mama sit?” Oscar questioned, smiling now, too, but still unsure. Her son was used to Meredith rushing in from school only to change into her Champagne’s uniform before setting off again. The fact that he was so accustomed to her leaving made her heart ache.
“Yes, Mama’s sitting with Oscar. I want to sit with you.”
Leona emerged from the utility room, shaking her head and giving atsk.“Of course, you had to come back right before his nap,” she complained. “Now he’ll never settle down.”
Meredith ignored the woman’s tone and turned back to her son. “I’ll get some lunch and then take him back to my room. He’ll get sleepy again in a little while.”
Leona cocked a brow at her. “Oh? You mean you aren’t gonna run out and look for another job this instant? You’re actually gonna spend time with your baby?”
The stab of guilt was well aimed. Leona knew exactly how to make her feel awful, and, because Meredith sensed this, she tried to push the hurt aside. But instead of firing back, she rose to her feet and headed toward the fridge.
“Mama sit,” Oscar echoed, a whine creeping into his voice.
She turned and locked eyes with him. “Mama’s going to make a sandwich and sit with Oscar. Okay, baby? Mama’s hungry.”
“He needs his nap, Meredith. He’s just gonna get cranky.”
It was better to say nothing. If she said nothing, Leona would take her silence as surrender, and, in her victory, she’d consider the subject closed. Most of the time, Meredith could allow this. Bite her tongue and bow her head.
Today was one of those times.
She hid her head in the fridge as she searched for sliced turkey, mayo, mustard, and lettuce, and set about making a sandwich.
“Mama make lunch?” Oscar asked, hope lifting the question.
Meredith smiled over her shoulder at him. His big brown eyes watched her with unbroken focus.
“Yes, baby. Mama’s making lunch, and I’ll sit with you while I eat. And then we’ll take a nap. Okay?”
Oscar shook his head, smiling with mischief. “No nap, Mama.”
Leonatskedagain. “Little man needs a nap,” she told him.
Oscar frowned at his grandmother. “No nap, Meemaw!”
“Four months early, and he’s already hitting the terrible twos,” Leona said, shaking her head. “I just hope he’s better than Jamie at that age. When that boy didn’t get his way, look out!”
And that’s changed how?Meredith wanted to ask, but she finished making her sandwich in silence.
“Mama sit.”
She carried her sandwich to the table and joined her baby. “I’m sitting, my love.”
Oscar’s lip curled in a satisfied smile, and he patted the table next to her. “Mama sitting,” he said softly.
Meredith took a bite and spoke through a mouthful. “You are so sweet, little buddy. I love you so much.”
“Love you, Mama.”
AFTER MEREDITH LOADEDher plate and silverware into the dishwasher, carried Oscar to their room, and read him four stories, he finally crashed. She held him tucked against her for a moment, smelling his sweet baby-shampoo smell. When it was safe to slide away from him, she tiptoed out of the room.
Because there was no opportunity for privacy in the McCormick house, Meredith walked out the front door and headed for the Mickey Shunick Memorial. She’d brought her phone and the scrap of paper from the job flyer.
Staring down at it, Meredith doubted it would amount to anything. She’d have to get back in her car and head across town to Super One Foods to try there.
“Might as well get on with it.” She dialed the number and waited as it rang through. On the third ring, Meredith prepared herself to leave a voicemail. Leaving voicemails sucked. It made her nervous. She sounded stupid, and knowing that she sounded stupid made her do stupid things like forgetting to say her name or tripping over her phone number.
