To my surprise and delight, she does. It’s both adorable and hilarious, especially when she gives me a look of disgust. “Yeah, I don’t like that one either.” I giggle.
I notice that Jack is staring at us with what can only be described as affectionate curiosity, but I force myself to not hold his gaze for too long. “I think the burnt sugar and leather scented one is my favorite,” I tell Sienna, as if she has any idea what I am saying. Even so, talking to babies is important.
I screw the lid on and place it back on the shelf before moving to follow Jack to the side wall that’s lined with tiny Halloween costumes.
Amidst the mass of them, Jack’s gaze immediately fixes on a tiny red lobster outfit. He pulls it from the rack and it’s complete with oversized googly eyes and two foam claws. “Look no further. This is the one.”
I cover Sienna’s eyes and he looks at me confusedly. “You’re serious?”
“Dead.”
Sienna shoves my hand out of the way and giggles. “A lobster?”
“Oh, absolutely. This will be perfect for handing out candy. I can make her walker into a giant stew pot.”
“Jack, you cannot be serious. Of all the hundreds of fifteen dollar costumes available anywhere else, you come here to spend seventy-five onthat?” I point at it like it’s offensive because itis. “Also, what do you mean ‘handing out candy?’ You’re not taking her trick-or-treating?”
“Quinn, she only has two teeth.” He completely ignores my protests about the costume.
“Almost three and that’s not the point. She would have so much fun.”
He makes a beeline toward the cash register before I can continue to try and talk him out of buying it. “I guess I couldwalk her around the neighborhood once,” he relents, pulling his credit card from the slot in his wallet to pay for this monstrosity. “If you’ll come with us.”
He doesn’t look at me as he says the words, and I am thrown off balance. I open my mouth to respond, but close it again as I try to formulate a response. I am really overthinking this. I am Sienna’s nanny. Surely it’s not weird for me to be involved in a milestone for her, like her first trick-or-treat?
The broken parts of me often long to be wanted by someone, and it’s very frustrating that the most recent someone happens to be Jack, who I should not have these kinds of feelings about for so,somany reasons.
I try really hard to hide my distaste with his purchase because the lady behind the counter is not on my side. “Such a cute choice. Your baby is going to be absolutely adorable.”
It takes my brain a second to realize that Jack has disappeared to somewhere else and she’s talking to me. “Oh I’m not?—”
“Sheis, isn’t she?” Jack interrupts, popping back up beside me, nearly causing me to jump out of my skin. “We’re going as Ariel and King Triton,” he announces. The thick glass bottom of a candle clacks against the countertop as he places it there for her to ring up with the costume.
I’m too dumbfounded to form a retort so I force a smile and kiss the top of Sienna’s head instead. I would love to take her trick-or-treating, Jack’s presence and desire to have me there notwithstanding.
“Why not Prince Eric?” the lady asks as he swipes his card.
He does not hesitate with his response. “Oh, I woulddefinitelybe her daddy.” He winks and takes the bag as she awkwardly slides it across the counter, speechless.
Just like me.
When we’re back on the sidewalk I finally find my voice. “I don’t remember agreeing to wear a clamshell bra as part of my job duties.”
He snorts a laugh. “You’re telling me you don’t want to see Kronk in a Flounder costume?” That would actually be really cute. “Orme without a shirt?” He flexes his pecs.
“Oh my god, you’re such a dork.” I slap him playfully on the arm and open the car door to put Sienna back in her seat.
She’s all tuckered out from the short trip, and once she’s all strapped in she’s already nodding off. “Baby girl likes her car seat, doesn’t she?” I let thedaddycomment slide because I honestly don’t even know what the fuck to say to that.
“She’s pretty happy just about anywhere.”
I hum thoughtfully. I think the only time I’ve seen her almost cry was a few minutes ago when she wanted me. I rub the top of her head. “I love her so freakin’ much.”
I turn to find Jack’s eyes transfixed on my back. He snaps out of whatever reverie he’s lost in and gives me a lazy smile. “Me too.”
10
ACID REFLUX
