Page 81 of Zone
“You’ve always been a good listener.”
Cricket takes her last bite, and he stands, going to the sink for a washcloth. As he returns, she starts with her “Ba!” and patting her hand.
“She says that a lot,” he notes. “What isBa?”
“I have no idea. I thought it wasbottle, but she says it all the time.”
My cousin wipes her face gently, and I can see the wheels turning in his head. Straightening, he lifts his chin, and I recognize that look. He’s about to tell me he speaks baby in addition to all his other talents.
“You said her mother’s name was Bonnie?” His logical eyes meet mine, and it’s like a punch in the gut.
“Damn, Edward.” I sit down heavily, reaching out to hold her little hand. “Has she been asking for her mom this whole time?”
She’s watching me with those big blue eyes, and I feel like a shit. I feel like I’ve let her down already, and we’re only just getting started.
I don’t know what to do. I lift her by her tiny torso onto my chest, and she smiles, patting me again and saying, “Ba!”
“I’m sorry, Crick.” My voice is gentle. “Your mom’s gone away.” I put my hand on her back, leaning in to kiss her little forehead.
Edward stands beside us, putting his hand on her back as well. His forehead lines, and it’s the closest I’ve seen him get to a display of emotion.
“It was simply a guess.” His voice is gentle as well. “Perhaps she is saying bottle. It’s been the source of all her meals for a while.”
“No, I think you’re right. She’s just too little to understand.” I slide my hand over the back of her head, and I’m hit with a surge of protectiveness even stronger than what I felt when I left her this morning.
“I’m going to call that lawyer. I don’t give a shit about paternity tests. She’s staying with us.” I kiss her little head again. “You’re a Bradford now, baby.”
CHAPTER 18
Melody
K-Brad
I really like this lamp—it’s very Saints coded. And this print of Lafitte’s is fire. Why didn’t you stick around? My cousin Edward is here. He’d like to meet you.
His text sits on my phone screen, burning a hole in my brain, but I don’t reply.
I’ve already chided myself for getting emotionally involved with him and his situation. Now I’ve put our picture in a frame, and to top it all off, I stole a poem from his drawer. I’m out of control!
I can’t reply to his text or it’ll only get worse.
K-Brad
I found this face down on my dresser… I think it looks better in this frame.
He attaches a picture of the print I made of the threeof us, which he has transferred to the “family” frame. My heart squeezes, and I press my palms to the sides of my head.
Standing, I walk away from the phone, inhaling deeply and exhaling.Be strong, Mel.
K-Brad
Cmon, QP. We’re not doing this again, are we? I need to tell you what’s going on with Cricket. I think she’s about to cut that tooth. Look…
He sends me another photo of her sitting on his lap with her little cheek against his bare chest. Her finger is in her mouth, and she looks like she’s falling asleep. It’s possibly the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.
K-Brad
Edward said Ba might be her way of asking for her mom. Damn, that hurt.
