Penny was five months when Holly and Rob suggested I moved over to Jamie's grandparents place.
They also lived in Canada and their place was a hundred times safer than where I was, and also, it meant that I had someone else to watch over Penny when I felt like resting.
I didn't want to burden them at first, but Penny— Penny managed to sneak into my life and make me break every single wall that I'd built around myself so we moved.
Stan and Nana were happy that I agreed, they said the house was really lonely and the company was great for them.
I tried to make sure I didn't make them too stressed out, taking over their mails and other things, the only thing I stayed away from was cooking. That was Nana's job.
Writing also became my favorite pastime hobby if I hadn't passed out from tiredness of handling a baby.
Everything was okay. Finally, I'd felt at peace with myself and everyone around it.
Then the bubble popped the day Holly called "He wants to quit College"
"What?" I ask "Why?"
"Oh God, I don't know" She sounded so scared. I understood how she felt. I had hit rock bottom with Jamie and seen how he could be when he had his thoughts set on something.
"I'd talk to him" I said. There was that word again. Talk. Like Jamie and I could have a normal conversation. Like we didn't tread on eggshells with each other.
"Thank you. Thank you so much"
After she hung up, I called Jamie. He picked immediately "Hey, babe. Nice to hear from you ever since when? Our honeymoon I think?"
I ignored that "You want to quit college?"
I heard the sound of a book closing and chair scraping on the floor before he spoke "Kinda sucks that I thought you called because you missed me"
"But I called, didn't I?"
"Not for the reason you were supposed to call, no"
"There should be a reason?"
"I call everytime I miss you"
"Jamie, I have a kid—"
"We" He stressed it out, letting out a small sigh "We do. Its a bit overbearing that I have to keep reminding you Penny is my kid too"
"Okay, I know that but—"
"We'd talk about this when I come over to see you both, okay? I've missed you guys very much"
Physical talking? That one was always worse "Jamie—"
"I love you" And then he hung up.
I held back the need to slam my phone on the wall as I stepped out of the room and walked to Penny's crib.
She was sleeping, her face etched in perfect peace as my erratic breathing calmed.
It was odd that the reason I suddenly felt better was the fact her eyes, the eyes that seemed so much like Jamie's, were closed.
He came three days after our talk on the phone. Penny recognized him quicker than I'd thought.
I stayed away all through his time with her. They looked cute together, and I suppose that I should have stood by his side, urging them on as both Father and Daughter did a crawling race together but I didn't.
Somehow, I feared we'd fight in front of her and I didn't want her seeing that.
"Hey"
When Penny was sleeping, Jamie joined me at the balcony, carrying and twirling me around the moment he was close enough.
He smelled like cinnamon again. First round and he was winning "How are you?"
"Fine" I looked at him. His skin was tanned now, and it suit him well. What was I saying? Everything suit Jamie "How was your flight?"
"It sucked" He was laughing "But Penny made it all worth it. When did she begin to crawl?"
"Not so long ago" I gave a small shrug "It wasn't that big of a deal, Jamie"
"It is. She's our first child. Everything she has is a big deal. I hate the fact I missed it"
"As I said, it wasn't important"
"It's a good thing I'm here, Penny needs someone appreciating her little efforts"
"Excuse me?"
He was laughing "I'm joking" He took my hand and kissed it "I know you're doing your best and I couldn't be more proud of you"
"If you knew that, why do you want to quit college?"
"I'm not quiting okay?" He let out a sigh "I just— I'm thinking of changing colleges. Maybe move to a community college?"
"Community? Why—" I paused, staring at him "You want us to move somewhere else"
He quickly held unto my shoulders, his eyes staring deeply back at me "So we can be together and I can help—"
I shoved him away "I don't want your fucking help"
"This shouldn't even be a reason for us to argue. I just want to be with my family"
"You can be with us after college"
"But I'm not quiting! I'm just—" He pinched the bridge of his nose "God, Skye, don't be like this. The only reason you don't want me home is because you're scared of depending me"
"What?"
"I'm your husband, I'm supposed to help you" He continued "It's hard everyday knowing I can't even do anything for you because you wouldn't let me"
"It's not about you not being able. It's clearly not your fault that you aren't home"
"And I'm trying to be home" He looked so sad, like he couldn't believe I didn't want him around me "Why can't I ever be good enough for you?"
After those words, he left, and five days passed.
Jamie didn't pick my calls or reply my texts.
YOU ARE READING
US
Teen Fiction"What we are Skyler, how we feel. We don't have to give it a name. It's just Us" ~ Skyler has never felt like they belonged anywhere. Not being sure that they were a girl or boy, not fitting in a Christian family, never feeling completely happy. Tha...
