A N G E L (Roger Daltrey)

Thirty Five

Janice's POV

 Annie and I were watching TV in the living room and playing a game with her Little People ferris wheel. We were seeing which of her toys could stay on the ride the longest if we spun it at maximum speed. So far, the winner was the dog figure, wedged head first into the seat so his ears could give him extra grip.

I watched as she took off after the farmer figure, who was skittering across the linoleum into the kitchen after being unceremoniously launched for the millionth time. 

"Betcha if we put him in head first like the puppy, his hat would keep him in!" She giggled after recovering him. 

"Hey, man, it's worth a try." My eyes flickered to the clock. "Woah, it's been two hours? I feel like Nancy should've come out by now. Sit tight, I'm gonna go check on her."

I opened the door to our room quietly in case anyone was sleeping. 

Nancy was halfway sitting up in bed, reading the paper. Melissa had been moved from the bassinet to Nancy's chest.

"Hey." I said quietly.

"Oh, hi! She's been laying here for forever and I've been too afraid to move her and wake her up, but I'm going to have to soon because she needs to eat." She explained.

"Do you want me to do it?" I asked.

"You can if you want. What have you been doing?" She put the paper down to make room for my incoming arms and I scooped Melissa up, watching her legs scrunch up as I lifted her. She squeaked, apparently mad that I had disturbed her.

"Playing 'fling innocent people out of the Ferris wheel' with Annie and watching TV." I patted Missy's little bottom gently and swayed from side to side.

Nancy got up and stretched, cracking her shoulders and neck as she did. "Oh, God, that feels nice. Let's go make a bottle."

I followed her into the kitchen and watched her prepare the bottle, paying close attention to every step so that I could do it myself if I ever needed to. In my short time babysitting an infant, the bottles were always premade and left in the fridge for me. 

We sat down on the couch and I took the bottle from Nancy, smiling as Missy frantically latched on. Little People carnage was spread out in front of us, but Annie was nowhere to be seen. 

Before I could wonder for too long, Bev appeared with both little girls. She zipped Michelle's coat and pulled Annie's hood up. 

"We're walking to McDonald's for French fries and apple pies. Do you want us to bring you back anything?" Bev asked.

"We're okay. Have fun!" I replied.

"And be careful, watch for slick spots in the shade!" Nancy added. "No impromptu skating trips, alright? Annie, lookin' at you." She made the 'I've got my eyes on you' gesture and Annie giggled.

"See y'all in a bit!" Beverly corralled the kids out the door.

"Speaking of going out to eat and stuff, I gotta tell you something about money." I said, turning to Nancy.

"Oh no, what is it? Are we broke?" She paled a little.

"The opposite. I counted today, I've saved up $500!" I beamed proudly. 

"What?!" Nance exclaimed. "No way, man! That's insane!"

"I know! So we'll be able to get out of here and get our own place soon." I looked down at Melissa who had guzzled her bottle down like she'd never eaten in her life. I popped her up on my shoulder and started to burp her. 

"Let me, I don't want her to puke on your sweater." She took the baby from me and started patting. "I can't believe we're gonna get our own place! But...what about Beverly and the girls? Can we leave them? They've been such a help to us, especially with my pregnancy. I'd feel awful leaving them here. Plus, what if other people move in and they suck?"

I sighed. "I don't know. I hadn't thought of that. I guess it's one of those things where we have to put ourselves first. Besides, we don't have to move crazy far away or anything. We can stay close by."

"I guess. Oh! I saw an ad in the paper for a job that looks cool for me. For once I can leave Missy with a sitter or something." She gave the baby a couple harder whacks, as she still hadn't burped. 

"You don't have to worry about that yet, Nance." I said insistently.

"No no, it looks like something I'd want to do, and I want to jump on it while the opportunity is here. The paper is looking for someone to do a weekly column. You have to submit a writing sample, and they're gonna hire whoever sends in the best one. I think it would be so much fun to have my own column in the paper!" Her eyes shone with a type of excitement I hadn't seen in a very long time. Nancy had fallen in love with writing while she was on bedrest, and she was really a natural. It wouldn't even feel like work to someone like her. 

"That sounds great, actually! I say go for it. When's the sample due?" I asked.

"The end of next week, I think I'm going to start tonight." Missy finally let out a spectacularly guttural burp. "Ew, oh my God, that came all the way up from her toes!"

"Big burp for a little lady, damn!" I laughed. 

"Sounded like a grown man. Oh and it stinks! Lord almighty, Melissa Dawn!" Nancy scrunched up her face in disgust, making me laugh harder.

"She's your daughter for sure!" I exclaimed between gasps.

"My daughter? I don't know where you've been, but that is 100% Keith Moon behavior right there." She shook her head.

"Horseshoe McGee behavior!" I sputtered.

"Oh man!" Nancy screeched, cracking up. Missy bobbled around against her shaking shoulder. "Oh, shit, I'm sorry. I'm sorry!" She giggled. If newborns could glare, I'm pretty sure she did. 

"We are gonna have so much fun with you, kiddo." I said. "Oh, before I forget, I need to ask you something. Now you can say no. If you do, I'll understand." I prefaced. 

"Alright." She shifted the baby from her shoulder to the crook of her arm. 

"Roger wants me to come visit really bad. Can I go?" I looked away guiltily. 

"Why are you asking me like I'm your mother?" She snorted. 

"Because!" I exclaimed, now embarrassed, "you just had a baby! Isn't it kind of shitty for me to leave you here by yourself?" I said.

"I won't be by myself, though." She reassured me. "Besides, even if I was, I'd like to think I could handle my own kid. Go! Have fun. Lord knows you've done enough around here to help me the past few months. You deserve to go do something for yourself."

I stared at her in disbelief. "Thank you, Nancy. Really. I love you."

"Of course. I love you, too, Jan. You're my best friend, after all." She held out her hand and I took it, giving it a big squeeze and then letting go.