Chapter 24. Harriet - Meeting the neighbor
Some time later
Moving day had arrived! Blake and I had reconnected a great deal, and I found myself feeling more secure and safe every day.
He had stopped going to counseling but checked in with me regularly and offered to come with me to see Shelley if I ever needed him to.
Working with Shelley had been eye-opening.
At first, I’d gone for my issues with Blake, but I found that I’d started talking to her more about being a mom and what that meant.
I wasn’t feeling as dark anymore and was pushing myself to socialize more, with Blake, Belle, and my work friends.
Mick and Sean were doting uncles, though Sean and Blake still weren’t the same.
It would take time, but they were at least speaking, and Sean had even laughed at his joke the other night.
Thursday nights were back, and now Belle had joined the crew.
Life was brighter and moving was our final step.
It was a physical step but felt so symbolic.
Our new house had the perfect yard for Immy as she grew, and Blake had excitedly helped me design her new room. I felt cheated that we’d never had the “nursery” experience when I was pregnant, but this was just as fun, perhaps even more fun because we designed the room for Immy, not a mystery baby.
The removalists had put most of our stuff in the house, so we were sitting out the front, toasting our happiness and fresh start.
Belle was sitting on the lawn holding Immy, who was kicking her fat little legs and squealing as Belle kissed her chubby cheeks.
Immy was a very happy six-month-old who loved her food.
We were so lost in our celebration that I didn’t even hear the woman creep up on us.
“Welcome to the neighborhood!”
I turned to see an attractive woman, probably in her late 20s. She had shoulder-length blonde hair and a very sweet heart-shaped face. A few months ago, she’d have made me stiffen, but now, she just looked like a kind, potential friend.
“Hi, I’m Harriet, this is Blake and over there is our baby Immy and my friend Belle.”
She shook my hand and turned to Blake.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Patsy. When you’re ready, maybe we could all catch up for a drink. There’re a few young families on the street, and they’d love to meet you.”
Blake shook her hand stiffly, his eyes darting to me.
“Patsy,” he acknowledged politely, but in a sharp tone. I sighed but was somewhat amused. He was holding tight to those boundaries, but this kind of reaction was completely unnecessary. We were still learning, but I’d soothe his mind later.
I trusted Blake. I’d forgiven him. Trust meant I didn’t convulse or fall into a stressed heap every time a woman spoke to him, and by the way Patsy was looking at Belle, she was not looking to “bond” with Blake.
I smiled at him, silently communicating that he didn’t have to be borderline rude to female neighbors. He smiled back and took my hand.
“Meeting the other neighbors would be great, thanks Patsy,” he said in a warmer tone.
“Here, have my number,” I offered, eyeing her phone. “We’ll set something up.”
“Awesome,” she replied as she unlocked it and handed it over. “Invite Belle too.”
She took back her phone and headed back over to her house.
Belle looked up and grinned, shifting her face into a “That’s interesting!
” face. Maybe I should check Patsy’s home for a secret nursery or ailing elderly relative before I gave Belle my blessing.
The thought made me giggle, prompting Blake to throw me a confused look.
“It’s nothing,” I reassured him. I realized that this was the first time I had thought of Rose and responded with humor or positivity. Healing was gradual and sometimes you didn’t even know you were doing it until you gave it conscious thought.