Page 13 of Three More Shots
An emotion I can’t read flits across her expression when she finally faces me. “We?”
“Yeah, you and me. When it comes to Ainsley, you’re the boss, and I’ll do whatever you say, whatever you want.”
“I’m only the boss when it comes to Ainsley?”
Surprised but pleased by her teasing, I chuckle and wink. She does have a sense of humor hidden under all those layers of anxiety. “Onlywhen it comes to her.”
Her smile fades a bit, and she scrunches her nose, almost as if preparing to tell me something even she doesn’t like. “Listen, I really do appreciate you wanting to help us, and I know you think you mean it, but this isn’t easy. Some days are really, really hard. You don’t know what it’s like, what it’s going to be like. She can go from sweet and docile to total destruction mode in two seconds and sometimes you don’t even know why.”
“You don’t have to try and scare me off. I want to make things better. Get help for you, help for her. Whatever that looks like, we can do it.”
She doesn’t resist when I pull her to me again. Grateful, she allows me to hold her. She seems to enjoy the comfort as much as I do, even though she’s overwhelmed by me and my suggestions. But what I’ve got and what I offer have to be easier than navigating this all alone.
“I want it to be better, but I’m scared.”
“I know, but give it a chance. Give me a chance.”
“Mommy! I’m hungry!”
She squeezes me tighter before she releases her grip around my waist. Almost shy when she steps back.
“I don’t like to talk about her in front of her like she’s not here or doesn’t understand. Can we finish this later please?”
“Of course.” I love how she leans into my palm when I stroke her cheek, all too briefly, before she jogs to the bathroom and helps Ainsley climb out and dry off.
My disgust explodes again when I glance at their abandoned dinner on the table. One plate contains a peanut butter sandwich, a full bowl of beef vegetable soup, and a heaping mixture of grapes, strawberries, and banana slices while the other place setting has a cup of broth.
Motherfucker.I whip out my phone again to fix this bullshit. Only a temporary solution until I get them home permanently.
Chapter Four
“Ainsley,this is Mommy’s friend from work. He came to visit us for a little bit.”
Corinne gestures to me, leaning against the countertop as she properly introduces us. Ainsley balks at the description, shaking her head hard enough that strands of her long, damp hair flap across her face as well as slap against her mother’s stomach from the force.
“Uh un, you work with Ginger.”
“Yes, but I work with Steele too.”
“That’s not a name.”
Corinne gives me an embarrassed smile, and this time I chuckle and shake my head. No need for apologies. If the kid thinks my name is weird, then so the fuck what? Many people have thought a lot of way worse things about me than the moniker my parents chose.
“Come on, sweet pea, let’s eat supper. I’m starving.”
Ainsley takes the bait of her mother redirecting her attention and races to her chair. “Me too!”
Continuing to ignore me, which is fine, the child slides into her seat, jostling the table hard enough soup overflows the rim of her bowl. I fight my instinct to react and hold back, watching and learning how Corinne manages her daughter’s behavior. She moves fast to grab a napkin and the plate, handing Ainsley her sandwich. Eager to avoid an issue, Corinne’s as slick as a ninja while Ainsley digs in, oblivious to her mom’s stealth actions to prevent a catastrophe from the liquid touching the rest of her food.
Corinne jolts from catching sight of the sandwich and fruit at her spot, and she looks at me in astonishment. Hell, I’m kind of surprised too. I haven’t made peanut butter and jelly in years. I don’t think I’ve ever cut up strawberries, but I wasn’t half bad at that task either if I do say so myself.
“What’s this?”
Her tone is soft yet shocked. “Broth isn’t enough. I made you a real meal.”
Well, notrealcompared to Mrs. Davis’s cooking, but good enough for tonight.
“Thank you for doing that. It’s really sweet, but I can’t. I have to make sure there’s enough for Ainsley for the rest of the week.”
