Chapter 3: I Don't Want It Anyway
Matt leans forward, and pokes Mini on her little belly. Mini widens her eyes and makes a sound before blinking blankly at him.
He nods emphatically. "She's definitely your kid." I try not to be offended by whatever he was talking about, because I had a sneaking suspicion Matt was on drugs. It was a good thing that he ate a lot, because any time his mouth wasn't full, shit spewed out.
He keeps going, "Do you have any interest in buying her, like, a beanie?" I shake my head and scowl at him.
"Yeah, no. No fucking way am I letting you watch Nellie." He doesn't get all pissed or offended, instead he flops himself down on my couch and shrugs.
"Your choice, man. I'd still look into beanies; I read this article at work one time about how beanies are both fashionable and reasonable during the winter season. Actually, I was considering getting one for myself."
Sigh. I felt like needles were being plunged into my skull. I have not been getting enough sleep with Mini around. Yes, I loved her, but all the diaper-changing, bottle-heating, and bedtime-rocking was getting on my nerves.
"I need a babysitter." I complain, scooping a bit of banana baby food for my Mini. Matt shrugs again and grabs his beer off of my coffee table, taking a large sip.
He mulls it over a little before scratching his head, "Don't you get money from Mini?"
"Yeah, but not enough to sustain both our lives. I need to go back to work before I'm fired." He scoffs and tilts his beer back once more.
"They aren't even thinking of you over there. The day they fire you is the day..." he trails off, not knowing what else to say and shakes his head. Fucking bonkers. "Why don't you ask that girl you were talking about? You told me Nellie liked her."
I shake my head vehemently, "I haven't spoken to her in three days, and I don't like her, remember? Plus, I'm not asking her for handouts."
He scratches at his head again, "You asked me to babysit, what's the difference?" The difference is that she's a girl. She's a girl with great assets that already thinks I'm a dick anyway. I don't care what she thinks, but if I did care, I wouldn't want her doing things like that for me. Just...because.
His eyes widen, "Are you embarrassed?"
I squint my eyes at him, "No, I'm not fucking embarrassed. What kind of question is that, anyway? I just don't want to ask her because I don't like her." I practically growl. Matt slowly grins and shakes his head.
"Whatever, man."
God, I don't know why I even hung out with that bastard. Mini looked up at me and began to babble a little. I tickle her tummy a little with my left hand, trying to get her to laugh. She looks up at me, completely straight faced, and lets out a little grunt. I sigh, remembering how Elena so effortlessly got her happy and content, and begin to talk to her.
"Why won't you laugh for daddy?" She says nothing, but if I could read her mind it'd probably be something along the lines of:
"Because you aren't fucking funny."
Of course, only if she's anything like I am. "You don't ever smile at me." I kind of pout at her, then I freeze. I think I see a hint of a smile starting to form. Finally.
It's just the smallest hint, like a little ghost. I just needed a little more.
I keep pouting and the hint is more pronounced. She's basically already there. I feel my chest pound with paternal pride I didn't even know I possessed.
