Page 43 of Say Yes to the Hot Mess
Both Maya and Hanan say “har har” when they’re being sarcastic.
Is Hanan…Maya?
Ten
Maya
The weekend arrives quickly,and with it a strange mixture of dread and excitement. I don’t even know what my emotions are doing these days, and I wish they would make up their mind.
Earlier in the week, Scarlett helped me find two dresses for this wedding. While I do own a lot of skirts and dresses, none of them were really suited for a formal event, and the two formal dresses I did own no longer fit. So we hit up a nearby mall, Archer and diaper bag in tow, and Scarlett convinced me to buy a gorgeous blue dress with a deep v-neck and a floor-length skirt. It’s simple, but I love it. I also chose a slightly less-formal pink one with fluttery sleeves and a knee-length skirt. Both of these dresses get settled gently into my luggage.
I’m also smart enough to pack my breast pump in my small suitcase, because I know I’m going to get uncomfortably engorged otherwise, and I can’t deal with any more cabbage incidents. I pack a swimsuit too—as per Dex’s advice, because apparently the hotel is actually more like a beachfront resort, and the family might go down to the beach. Once all my things are packed, there’s nothing left to do but drop Archer off with Uncle Frank.
I haven’t seen Frank since his trip to St. Louis, and I’m excited to hear how it went. So early on Friday morning—and I do meanearly—I’m knocking on his front door, Archer in his carseat, a nervous ball in the pit of my stomach.
I’ve never left Archer for this long before, and I already know I don’t like it. I mean, yes—will it be nice to sleep through the night? Of course. But…he’s my baby. I’ll miss his snuggles and coos and the way his little chin is the perfect shape for me to kiss.
Archer is my home.
When Frank opens the door, I’m already swallowing back the lump in my throat. Truthfully, I think it will be good for me to get away for a few days, but I still have to force away the stinging in my eyes as I step past Frank. He appears wide awake, but that’s no surprise; he’s the sort of man who’s up with the birds and down with the sun.
“Thank you so much,” I say, giving him a hug once the door is closed behind me. He hugs me back tentatively, but I don’t take it personally; Frank has never been big on physical affection. “How was St. Louis?”
“It was good,” he says in that gruff voice of his. “Saw Carter and Sam. He proposed when we all went out to dinner.”
“Oh, yay!” I say, momentarily forgetting my sadness at leaving Archer. “I knew he was planning on it.”
Frank nods. “She seemed real happy about it. She’s a sweetheart.”
“She is,” I agree. “They’re good for each other.”
“I think so too,” he says, nodding. Then he gestures for me to follow him. “I’ve got the bassinet all set up, but come make sure everything looks good.”
I shoot off a quick congratulatory text to Carter and Sam, and a few seconds later Carter sends back a picture: him hugging Sam as she holds her hand up for the camera. I can’t see a lot of detail on the ring, but it looks gorgeous. Both of them are beaming, and the sight makes me smile.
I take a second to blink the sting of happy tears out of my eyes before going with Frank. He keeps a foldable bassinet in his closet, since he watches Archer for me sometimes. He’s set it up in his hallway, tucked away from the sun and close enough that he’ll hear Archer when he cries at night. I’ve got pumped milk and formula in the massive diaper bag I’m leaving behind, too, as well as a new box of diapers and wipes. Still, I worry.
“Are you sure you’ll be okay?” I ask, turning to Uncle Frank and biting my lip. “Because I don’t have to go.”
“I’ll be fine, sweetie,” he says, waving one hand and sounding completely genuine. “Archer and I will hang out, and we’ll be just fine. You go have fun. Take some time to relax and take care of yourself.”
I sigh. I know he’s right. Before I can say this, though, he’s speaking again.
“In fact,” he says, sounding hesitant, “I’ve been thinking—well, I’ve been thinking I might like to get out some more too,” he admits.
I raise my eyebrows at him, and his cheeks turn a ruddy red color.
“Nothin’ crazy,” he warns, shoving his hands in his pockets. “Just—maybe socialize a little, is all.” He pauses and then goes on, “Carter and Sam seem so happy. And I thought—well, I thought I might like that, too. Not a woman, but just having some friends to do things with.”
Oh, my heart. My sweet, gruff Uncle Frank is lonely, and my soul cries for him. “I think that’s a great idea,” I say softly, stepping closer to him. He looks embarrassed, but I go on. “And I’m sure you could find some good friends around here.”
He gives me a short nod, then clears his throat. “Well, you got a list of numbers for me in case I need ‘em?” he asks.
I nod as well. “I do,” I say. “I’ll put it on your fridge.” I always leave him with this list, I guess because I’m a worrier when it comes to my baby. It has the pediatrician, poison control, my number, and now Dex’s number. “I brought some infant ibuprofen too. I doubt he’ll need it, but just in case.”
“Good, good,” Frank says.
We chat for a little bit longer about what Archer will need, and when it’s time for me to go get ready to leave, I take a deep breath.
