Chapter 2. Harriet – Bad dreams
Sean, Blake, my best friend Belle and I were the only ones who knew about my childhood. It wasn’t that I kept it a secret per se, but I’d had counseling, and I saw no benefit in telling people how I’d grown up. Sean and I had done well for ourselves, and we liked to leave the past in the past.
Chinese was the meal for tonight. It was Blake’s week to choose and it was pretty much all he ever chose! Mick, Sean, and I were far more varied and flexible, but Blake couldn’t go without his beef and black bean for too long.
“This is good shit,” Mick said, digging in. “Just like it was four weeks ago.”
“Stay with the classics, my good man,” Blake grinned.
Mick was talking about his niece’s impending birthday when Blake’s phone chimed. He frowned at the screen, while shoveling his last mouthful in.
“I’m zipping out for five. Rose’s having issues with getting Colin out of a lawn chair,” he said.
“That’s the old neighbor, right?” Mick questioned.
“Yes, his daughter is staying with him. Poor old man. We learnt he was a bit of a player and Rose is the love child we didn’t know existed.” I filled Mick in on the events of the night Colin went to “do a deal with Brian.”
Blake slipped on his work boots and left the house.
“At least you know who Loretta is now,” Mick laughed. “You’re the other woman, you hussy. No wonder he’s angry with you. You got pregnant as the other woman and probably blew up his marriage with Lorraine.”
“Well, Lorraine stayed until she died, so I can’t have done that.
Besides, it takes two to tango and I’m not giving up my baby,” I laughed, rubbing my belly.
A thought struck me. If that was the cause of Colin’s animosity toward me (me being Loretta, of course), would it be triggering for him to see me when I was truly showing?
Mick and I chatted about work and the baby, a good 40 minutes flying by before Blake returned.
“How is he? Was he stuck physically or refusing to get out,” I asked.
“Both, in the end,” Blake replied. “Poor old guy. Poor Rose. She’s so exhausted. We need to truly make an effort to help her out.”
“Surely he has social services send assistance?” Mick asked. “Gran has a cleaner, social worker, nurse, and a physical therapist visit her.”
“Yeah, Colin has that but I think it’s more of an emotional responsibility and exhaustion,” Blake explained.
“I’ll do what I can. Maybe some meals would help?” I picked up my phone to search for recipes that would freeze well.
“That’d be great, babe. I’m sure she’d appreciate it,” Blake kissed the top of my head.
I’d do what I could for now, but I hoped Rose would adjust soon. I wouldn’t be much assistance when I was as big as a house.
Blake’s phone chimed. A smile spread across his face.
“Who is it?” Mick asked.
“Just Rose. She sent a thank you and a meme of a kid with his head stuck in a chair,” Blake laughed.
Hmm. Why didn’t I like that? It was manners to thank someone.
Why did she text Blake for help though? She had my number.
I pushed my feelings down. Pregnancy hormones were the pits.
I dreamt last night that Blake cheated on my with my sister (I don’t have a sister). It was going to be a long five months!