Page 32 of Lucky Dance Date
José was no sooner out of my sight than I had a baby placed in my arms.
She opened her eyes and studied me for a few seconds before smacking her lips and falling asleep again.
Miguel laughed. “She likes you.”
“Huh?”
“Tio Jorge, José’s papa, she cries every time he holds her. She gets fussy for many others too. She only settles right down when she likes somebody.”
It caught me off guard, and I started sniffling. A baby only six weeks old had me near tears.
“You’re pregnant all right,” Miguel said.
“Huh? What makes you say that?”
“Would you normally be sniffling at a baby sleeping in your arms?”
I thought about it, then shook my head.
“Me neither, not before I was pregnant anyway. But as soon as I was, every time somebody shoved a baby at me I started bawling. Those hormones are fierce.”
I looked down at the sweet face, and wondered what my own baby would look like.
“Do you hear that mija?” Miguel cooed. “You’re going to have a cousin your own age to play with.”
That was all it took. The tears started rolling down my face as I thought of my child in this family, accepted and loved in ways that I’d only ever dreamed of until then.
My baby would never know my pain, and I couldn’t wish anything better for them.
*
∞∞∞
~April~
I listened to the voicemail and sighed, then I called the number left in the message.
“Valle Granja police department, Officer Martinez speaking.”
“Good afternoon Officer Martinez,” I said. “My name is Wes Abernathy. You called about a welfare check.”
There was a moment of silence. “Ah yes, Mr. Abernathy. Somebody called and requested one. They’re apparently quite concerned.”
“I’m sure,” I replied, unable to hide the sarcasm in my voice. “Please inform my parents, since I’m confident that’s who called it in, that I am fine and they do not need to worry.”
“The caller indicated that there might be… issues,” he said delicately. “I will need to see you in person because of this.”
I sighed. “I’ll come to the station or meet you in person somewhere public. But I have gone no-contact with them and would like that to be honored.”
“I see. I believe a visit to the station will suffice in that case.”
“Thank you.”
We spent a moment scheduling a visit, then I hung up.
“What was that about?” José asked from where he was rubbing my feet at the other end of the couch.
“Expected bullshit,” I replied. “Somebody called the cops for a welfare check, and insinuated that you were hurting me.”
