Page 28 of In The Game

I lock my phone and lean back in bed with a new positive outlook.

“We might have some good news coming our way, Arthur. Things are looking up, babe.”

I rub his back a few more times and he finally burps. I wait with the cloth to catch any spit up, but it doesn’t come. I pull him back with a big smile. “No spit up today? Good jo—” and that’s when he projectiles all over my neck and hair.

My nose wrinkles. “So close, bud… So close.”

* * *

I’ve been crying on and off all morning. I can’t believe our six weeks together is up. Now I’m simply supposed to drop him off with a stranger for eight hours? Leave someone else to raise my baby? What if he thinks I’ve abandoned him? Does he know I’m coming back? The parental care system in this country is fucked up.

“You okay, Raleigh?” Rob asks.

“Huh? Oh! Yeah, I’m fine, it’s just allergies. I swear I’m not usually like this,” I say with a forced laugh. He keeps popping up.

“It’s your first day back, it’s okay to be a little emotional. Do you need anything?”

“Sorry. No, no, I’m fine…” I sniffle. “Um, just a heads-up, Greenstone called, and they want to push back the ad rollout for next month because of a new product they’re releasing. I told them we would need to set up another meeting with the creative directors to discuss.”

“They’ve always got one more product. Yeah, that’s fine. Works out better anyway, I want to focus on getting our new sales software launched.”

“That’s what I figured. I moved up those meetings, so you’ll meet Jonathan on Thursday to get a status update.”

“Damn, you’re good. How did you know I was focused on that?”

I tap my temple.

“It’s great to have you back, Raleigh. Missed you around here.”

“I can tell!” I chuckle. “I still can’t believe you gave me a raise while I was on maternity leave. That was really generous.” When I got to my desk this morning, I signed off on a twenty percent raise.

“You’ve earned it. I’m really pleased with the work you’ve done thus far.”

My stresses about money have greatly decreased since getting this job. Rob is awesome. He’s appreciative whenever I do anything, and he’s been incredibly understanding of my emotions today.

As sad as I am over leaving Arthur at daycare five days a week, it’s nice knowing our life will be a little easier from now on. I’ll be able to provide for him and even set a couple hundred bucks aside each month for our savings. He may not understand now, but someday, this will be so worth it for our little family.

PARTTWO

PRESENT

ALMOST 5 YEARS LATER

ELEVEN

“Method Marketing, Raleigh Dunham.”

“Raleigh, that’s a cool name. Hey! I’m Micky, I am the owner of Sugar and Ice Patisserie and Cocktail Lounge. We have our soft opening coming up next Tuesday, and I wanted to see if Method Marketing was interested in an invite to the launch? We’ve been reaching out to local businesses, and I’m told you’re the HBIC.”

I laugh. “Definitely not the head bitch in charge, but I can certainly get the right bitches to show up. We’re always looking to support women-owned businesses, especially if we’re neighbors. Patisserie and cocktails you say?”

“And they’re delicious.”

“Love the concept. What’s the dress code?”

“Whatever you’re comfortable in. No dress code, but if it helps, Sugar and Ice has a speakeasy vibe.” I scribble down the info she gives me.

“Perfect.”

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