Adventures and Dramas in the Nursery

Chapter 17

Finally, Friday rolled around, and the weekend was on the horizon—a much-needed respite. Reese saw just how much when a sleepy Carly threw herself into the car."Morning, sleepyhead," he gently teased.Carly shot him a glare, which only made Reese laugh more. Combined with her unbrushed hair, she looked almost demented. Realizing why he was laughing, she threw a friendly punch to his arm before settling back in her seat."You're at mine today, aren't you?" Reese asked, but when he got no response, he turned to see Carly had fallen asleep again. Smiling, he turned down the radio and started their drive to work, making a stop at the Starbucks drive-thru for Marjorie. After running in to deliver her drink, he returned to the car to find Carly awake and clearly upset.Instantly going into protective mode, Reese tried to cheer her up. "Nice nap, Sleeping Beauty?" But when he saw that wouldn't cut it, he turned off the radio completely and asked her outright what was wrong.She shook her head, looking out the window to avoid his gaze. Knowing her too well, Reese pulled into the next layby, turned off the engine, and waited for her to speak.It took a few minutes, but when she finally spoke, what she told him horrified him. "You know how, while you and Marjorie were away, that parent said I needed fattening up? Well, Char asked me a few weeks ago if I'd eaten, because we weren't on lunch together. Another parent overheard and joined the dots, telling me that if I was going to parade around with an eating disorder, I should have the body to match...""She said WHAT?" Reese interrupted, seeing red and wanting to defend Carly, knowing how damaging such comments could be."Char told me that there is no such thing, but I don't know..." Carly added, speaking faster as she tried to hold back tears."Carly... Char's right. There is NO such thing as a body to match," Reese said, pausing to take a breath and contemplating his next move. "I'm recovering from an eating disorder, and if you think about the stigma around men... what I'm trying to say is that that woman was talking out of her arse. Please, Carly, you need to understand that."Tears streaming down her face, Carly laid her head on his shoulder and cried without saying a word. Reese held her until she'd settled, then sat her up and continued driving, though not to work. Instead, they went to a local café for breakfast, sitting in silence and finding comfort in each other's company. It took until 9 AM before they were ready to go in, by which time Reese had messaged both Autumn and Marjorie. One was going to have a chat with the offending parent, and the other was coming for lunch.When they finally pulled up at the nursery, Carly hugged Reese, a non-verbal thank you. They walked in together, one heading to the office and the other to the baby room.