Page 6 of Never Really Over

“It's not that easy,” she says sadly.

“Oh, trust me, I get that it isn't. But worrying over this is only causing you hurt and sadness. You need to talk to him about it, but mainly you need to get off social media, get out with friends, and see real life people.”

“I'm seeing you right now,” she counters.

“I don't count and you know it.”

“Sure you do. You're my best friend,” she says, batting her eyelashes.

“Well, obviously,” I reply, grinning, “but that doesn't mean you can't have other friends.”

She chuckles a bit and lets out a heavy sigh. “I know. But those other moms scare me.” Natalie pouts a little and flops onto the couch, face down. She's so dramatic.

I bust out laughing because I can't help myself. “Fuck, but women are so damn weird.” I pause for a little bit then say, “Leave Poppy with me, go home and shower and get yourself all pretty, clean up the house a bit or leave it alone. Who gives a shit. Having a nine-month-old is a lot of work.”

“It really is,” she cries, flopping back over onto her back, wiping a tear from under her eye. “It’s so hard, Colt. I didn’t know it would be this hard.”

“You wouldn’t trade it for the world though, right?”

She shakes her head rapidly. “Not for anything. But I’m really tired.”

“So take a nap while Poppy is. Or go home and take a bubble bath, relax, and forget about cleaning the house. Better yet, go stay in a hotel and I’ll come over and clean your house while you’re gone.”

“But you’re watching Poppy. You can’t do it all, Colt.”

“Sure I can. I’m Superman, remember?”

She points at me then lifts up three fingers. “I was three! You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?”

Leaning back in the chair, I rest a palm on one knee. “The fact that you called me your Superman because I was your hero? Never.”

She rolls her eyes and stands up from the couch she’d plopped down onto after we put Poppy into the portable crib. “I’m not going to have you clean my house, but I am going to have you watch Poppy overnight. The bath thing sounds really nice.”

“Would you hate me if I call the lady who cleans my house and had her come clean for you?”

“Uhh, why would I hate you for that? And why in the heck do you not clean your own house? You’re one person, for Pete’s sake!”

I give her a grin. “Because I hate cleaning? Why else?”

“You’re such a —”

“Watch out, this is the man who’s babysitting your spawn so you can have sex with your husband. I also about threw up saying that just now,” I admit, making a big show of gagging. “Honestly, though, I hate cleaning and Aria needed more houses to clean. I figured why not?”

“Aria, the girl I graduated with?”

“The same one.”

“Huh. I had no idea that’s what she was doing now.”

“Her husband was laid off from his job and they were struggling financially. I saw her when I was dropping off food at the food bank one day. She was picking up and was so embarrassed. I let her know there was nothing to be embarrassed about and told her about how our family was on food stamps for a couple years. Then it was a mess because she started to cry and you know how I am when people cry.”

“You’re awful.”

“I kept patting her on the shoulder then asked how I could help.” I shrug. “She said she was looking for work and had started cleaning houses so if there were any people looking for a house cleaner, to give them her number. I asked her to come help me. Her husband’s been looking for jobs, too, but is having a hard time finding something that’s full time. He’s doing odds and ends just to earn a paycheck because he likes working. He wants to find work and isn’t picky, aside from wanting it to be full time.”

“If he gets a job, though, will she quit cleaning?”

I shake my head. “Nah. She enjoys it. Aria’s a hard worker and now that her kids are in school, she likes having something she can do without having to answer to someone. Plus, I pay her in gift cards for the grocery store and Walmart or Target. I throw some extra cash in an envelope along with the cards. Might not be entirely legal from a tax standpoint but I don’t give a shit. She does an incredible job, she’s happy doing it, and I appreciate the hell out of her and this way she can buy groceries or whatever they need.”

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