Page 38 of The Wonder of You
“But you’re not alone, Cheri,” I remind her. “Look at this bundle of joy you have.” I smile, but Cheri doesn’t return it. I can see that this is serious.
“I guess I just don’t feel the same way about all this as you do,” she whispers.
“Have you spoken to Lukas about this?”
She shrugs again. “What good would that do? He’s always so bloody jolly, doesn’t ever mind that Maudie doesn’t sleep, always laughs at Henry’s jokes. I’m so tired. So, so, tired. I want to go back home, but I also don’t. I never liked home. I don’t know what I want. Sorry, Renée, I shouldn’t be telling you all this.” She smiles, but I know it’s fake. I’m not sure what I am supposed to do in this situation. I think simply listening and offering my help is all she needs from me.
“You’re welcome to speak to me anytime, you’re not alone, okay?” I tell her, but she drops her head again and chews the skin away from her thumbnail. “Do you want a nap?”
“Shedoesn’t let me nap.”
I don’t like the way she refers to Maudie, but I know she’s tired and in a bad mood. This isn’t how she really feels. I hope not, at least.
“I’ll have her, it’s fine, I don’t mind. However long you need.”
Cheri instantly looks up at me with wild eyes, like she isn’t sure of what I’ve just said and needs to let it sink in.
“You are a good friend, Renée. Are you sure?”
I nod, my heart warming at her calling me a good friend. It’s all I have ever wanted to be. Cheri gets up and walks into the bedroom, a look of relief on her face as she drops on the bed.
I leave the cabin and into the open field with Maudie attached to my hip.
“Are you happy to spend the day with Auntie Renée?” I ask her.
She nods and giggles.
I spend the day playing games with Maudie. We try catching a fake duck from one of the game stalls. Maudie giggles as I laugh at my bad attempt to catch it. She squeals with delight as I finally hook one and win her a small teddy bear.
“See, I’m not all that bad!” I joke.
Maudie starts tapping her mouth.
“Hungry,” she says. She’s doing well with her speaking. I realise now though that I don’t actually have much experience with children. I can do the fun bits like painting a rock, hooking a duck and winning a fun prize, but feeding? Changing a nappy? Why didn’t I think of this?
I consider what I should do next until I think of the obvious.
“Daddy!” I suggest and she nods enthusiastically. It’s clear that her dad is her favourite person. I wave at Lukas who is standing beside one of the tents talking to Toni. He notices me and a grin instantly takes his face. He starts running away in a jokey manner and Maudiesqueals with delight as I run after him. She bounces around on my hip which only makes her giggle louder.
“Daddy!” she stretches out her arms, but he keeps jogging away, slowing down when he realises that we’re not quite catching up.
“We’re going to get you!” I shout as I keep running. We run past some of the girls and I make quick eye contact with Phoenix who has stepped out of one of the tents with a mug in his hands. He smirks as he sips it. Eventually, Henry steps out of nowhere and puts his leg out so that Lukas falls flat on his face. He rolls around on his front and looks up at Henry.
“Hey, you bastard!”
“Language in front of the child!” Henry shakes his head as if he is disappointed, but then breaks out into laughter. I put Maudie on the floor and she stumbles like a baby penguin over to her dad.
“Did I just watch you chasing after another man?” Phoenix grins as I turn and find him standing there, looking all smart and charming as he usually does.
“Jogging more like, but I’d sprint after you,” I tell him as I grab his jacket and pull him towards me for a long-awaited kiss.
We both look at Lukas and Maudie as we hear more laughter. He is lifting her above him and then pretending to drop her. Lukas is truly in love with Maudie. I only wish Cheri could experience the same, too.
Phoenix wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“What’s up?” he whispers. I take a deep breath, wondering how much I should say. But I feel like I need to get this off my chest.
“I worry about Cheri, sometimes. I took Maudie so she could nap, but I’m worried her problem is more than just lack of sleep,” I admit, keeping my voice low so Lukas doesn’t hear.
