Page 42 of Trusting You
“When we were little this was how we went back and forth to each other’s houses. I’d walk this path no less than ten times a day.” We stepped inside, and I was surrounded by the cooler air, and a layout similar to Em’s house. “Wait here,” he motioned for me to stay while he carried the bags away.
I glanced around at the living space as Brooklyn stared wide eyed and then proceeded to squirm to get down. I couldn’t blame him. He’d been in the car all afternoon.
“Beesh!” he grinned as he craned his neck toward the slider.
“Yep. We’re at the beach,” I kissed the top of his head. Brooklyn had never seen the ocean or experienced the sand, and I wondered how he would react when we went out on it tomorrow for the first time. We’d been talking about it long enough that he’d mentioned it daily for a while now. It was warm enough to swim now, and I couldn’t wait.
“Down, Momma,” he frowned as he squirmed again.
“It’s ok,” Aaron rounded the corner right then. “I had Mom put away anything that he could break. You can let him down.”
I slowly lowered Brooklyn to the ground and watched as he wandered carefully around the room. His chubby little hands carefully touched the different surfaces he could reach before he came back and wrapped his arms around my leg.
“My parents were on the deck. They’re coming in now,” Aaron motioned to a door off the kitchen. “You want something to drink?” He seemed nervous, and I couldn’t figure out why.
“Hi,” a woman about my height rounded the corner. She had brown hair and was wearing a bikini top with one of those beach things tied around her waist. “You must be Melinda. I’m Avery,” she held out her hand to shake. “And you must be Brooklyn.”
Brook scurried farther behind my leg to hide as he peered with one eye at Avery. “Hey, Mom,” Aaron waved but Avery kinda ignored him. “Mom,” he cleared his throat.
“Aren’t you the cutest little thing,” Avery squatted down to be on Brooklyn’s level. “I just went to the store today. Do you like applesauce?” Brooklyn’s eyes widened as his head nodded vigorously. “You think you might want to help me eat some of it?”
“Mom!” Aaron tried again but as soon as I agreed that Brooklyn could have a snack, Avery was gone.
Brooklyn’s hand left my leg and grasped onto Avery’s hand as she led him over to the table where a high chair was sitting. She began talking baby talk to him as she lifted him up. “You’re not important anymore,” I giggled.
Aaron frowned, “I’m always important.”
“Not when there’s a baby around. Trust me. I’ve been dealing with this since he was born. When a baby is in the room, you’re not important anymore,” I leaned into his side and offered a quick hug. “Why don’t you show me where to put the rest of my stuff while your mom keeps him occupied.”
“Sure,” he wrapped his arms around my shoulders, and began leading me down the hallway. We passed by several doors before coming to a stop near the end. “I want you to know that you’re the first woman to ever come in here,” he stepped back and let me pass through the door in front of him.
“Is this your room?” I glanced around. There was a bed pushed into the corner, and a dresser opposite it. A pack and play was at the end of the bed. The windows were draped with blue plaid curtains, and the blue walls were covered in sports posters and a few movie posters.
“I wanted you to be comfortable. I spent all day cleaning it and getting ready for you. You can pay me back later,” he grinned as his brows bounced. I hugged him and burrowed my face into his chest. He smelled like body wash and I just wanted to stay there forever.
“No, she won’t,” a man who looked like an older version of Aaron filled the doorway and I jumped back in surprise. I had never formally met Aaron’s dad, despite seeing him last summer. He was much more intimidating up close like this.
“Dad, this is Melinda. Mel, this is my dad,” Aaron groaned as his hand motioned between us.
“Thank you for letting me stay here,” I smiled. “I really appreciate it.”
“Avery’s been excited ever since she found out about a baby coming. I didn’t stand a chance,” he chuckled but I didn’t think he was laughing.
After he disappeared, I looked up at Aaron, “I don’t think your dad likes me.”
“He likes you, he’s just mad at me,” Aaron sighed. “Let’s go check on my mom and then I want to take you for a walk.”
“Ok,” I shrugged. I wasn’t really worried about Brooklyn being with his mom. I was more concerned that he might not do well being in a strange place without me.
When we moved back into the living room I stopped in my tracks. There was Brooklyn sitting on the floor surrounded by toys. “Momma, ook!” he thrust his hand in the air to show me a blue truck. “Vroom, vroom,” he giggled as he made the truck drive around on the carpet. Everywhere I looked I saw toys. Piles of blocks, balls, and toy trucks littered the floor.
“I see buddy,” I knelt down in front of him.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Avery cringed. “When I told Leah you guys were staying here, we went shopping. It’s been a long time since we’ve had a baby around.”
“It’s too much,” I bit my lip to keep it from trembling.
“Nonsense,” Avery brushed me off as she stood from where she’d been sitting. “We’re happy to have you. Now go enjoy yourselves. We’ll be fine,” she sat back down and I watched as Brooklyn played with her as if I weren’t even there.
