Page 96 of A Me and You Thing
Utter silence descends upon the table. So this is how it’s going to be. I’m competition, and I’m to be treated as such. I look down at my pancakes and mentally prepare myself for battle. I’m not so sure I’m up to the task. I feel much too uneasy. What if she’s right? I don’t want anything bad to happen to my babies.
“Hey,” Sawyer says, standing behind me.
I don’t know what kind of expression he sends Bree, but she shifts in her chair. “Sorry, that was uncalled for.”
I don’t respond. My love of a blunt friend is coming back to bite me.
“I’ll help,” Sawyer says to me as he joins us at the table. “We’ll bathe them together after breakfast. Okay, Quinn?”
He’s trying. But all I hear is,I agree, it’s not safe for you to bathe the girls on your own.Ouch. I worked sun up to sundown atTíoandTía’s. I never fainted. Not once. Come to think of it, I was a workhorse. I might be skinny and appear frail, but underneath it all, I am strong. I’m not as weak as everyone thinks.
If I could stay awake long enough, I’d prove it.
Okay, maybe it’s my resolve that’s strong. No one wants to hear about that, though. I lost my memories for two years. That alone screams there’s something wrong with me. Case closed. I feel as though I need to somehow prove I’m capable. The problem is, the lack of faith in me is messing with my confidence. Do they see something I don’t? Am I different and don’t realize it? I know one thing for sure, I would never do anything to put Josie and Jordyn at risk. I suppose I need to earn everyone’s trust as I get my strength back. It will come. I’ll make it happen. I’m determined.
Patience, Quinn.
“The girls have a doctor appointment today, remember Sawyer? You said you’d be there.” Bree scoops up a spoonful of yogurt.
Sawyer sits back in his chair. “Is that today? With everything going on, I completely forgot.”
“It’s at eleven AM. They’re getting their second Hep A shots. Remember, they had their first Hep A shot six months ago.”
“Oh boy, it’s gonna be a fun night.” Sawyer lets out his breath.
“Yep. Remember last time? They both had fevers and we were up all night with them.” Bree moans.
“Hard to forget. I had an eight AM meeting the next day.”
“Yeah, I had to wake you up because your alarm didn’t do the trick.” Bree lightly laughs.
“Saved the day. I needed to be there. It was an important meeting.”
“You almost left the house with unmatched shoes. Remember that?”
Sawyer laughs. “I do. I was in such a hurry. Glad you caught it.”
“Me too. I promised the girls I’d take them to the P-A-R-K after their appointment. They know that’s their reward after enduring the doctor’s office.”
“Do we really need to spell it out?” Sawyer asks.
“Oh, yeah. Say it one time out loud and they’ll have their shoes and coats on while standing by the door ready to go. I’m not kidding.”
“I believe you. They’re smart little things.”
I stare down at my pancakes once again, my appetite gone. I feel left out. It’s like I’m not even here and they’re carrying on as they always do. I can feel the connection between Sawyer and Bree, and I hate it. Bree is acting as though nothing has changed—like the girls are totally her responsibility.
Fight, Quinn, fight.
“I’ll go with you to their appointment and to the park. I’d love to go.” I direct my statement to Sawyer, not Bree.
The girls perk up. “Paak? Go paak?” Josie says.
“Me go paak too,” Jordyn chimes, starting to climb down from her chair.
“No, finish your breakfast first, girls,” Bree tells them. Then she scoffs. “Nice job, Mommy.” She makesmommysound like a bad word.
I’m still reeling from her venom.
