𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐲 𝐏𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒𝟓.

FOUR MONTHS LATER

Jorja's Pov
The store was nearly empty, but it didn't feel empty enough. Not with both twins screaming like alarms strapped to the buggy. The sound filled up the aisles, bounced off the shelves, and came back twice as loud.

The twins' cries had been building since aisle six, and now they were full out. Aurora's was harsh, as if she was straining every bit of her tiny lungs. Isaiah's rolled lower, rattling, with these broken hiccupy gasps that made me worry even though I knew he was fine. The sound tangled together until I couldn't separate one from the other, just this wall of baby noise pressing in.

The cart wasn't helping. The left wheel squeaked every time I nudged it forward, a sharp, whining sound that cut through the crying instead of drowning it out. I pushed slow, hands tight on the handle, careful not to jostle the car seats wedged inside the buggy. It didn't matter. They were past the point of being soothed by anything simple.

Ebony was a few steps ahead, her pace uneven, one hand pressed hard into the small of her back, the other dragging along the shelf like she needed it to hold herself up. She glanced over her shoulder at me, then closed her eyes for half a second and muttered,

"Lord, have mercy..." Her voice was tired.

"Where are their bottles?" I asked, rocking the buggy forward once, twice. My voice came out calm, but the calm was paper-thin.

She spun around too fast, exhaled hard, and yanked the baby bag off her shoulder. It thudded against her hip before she dropped it into the cart, right beside Isaiah's seat. His foot twitched under the blanket at the sudden jolt, and he shrieked louder.

"Shit," I muttered, reaching in to rock his seat again. "Shhh, Isaiah. Mama's got you. Just hang on."

Ebony ripped the zipper open so hard it caught halfway. She shoved it down the rest of the way with her palm, muttering under her breath, then plunged both hands inside. Wipes crinkled as she pulled them out and tossed them back. Diapers, balled-up socks, and brand new pacifier's since all the others disappeared from thin air. All got thrown onto the shelf beside the cereal boxes.

A receipt floated to the floor. She shoved deeper, her hand vanishing almost to the elbow, before pulling out a folded burp rag and then flinging it back in like it had insulted her.

"They aren't in here, Jorja!" Her voice cracked, and she slammed the bag shut halfway before reopening it again like maybe she'd missed them. "See? Nothing! I told you I didn't pack any bottles."

Aurora's face was red now, mouth wide open, fists pumping against the straps. Ebony leaned over her, brushing her palm across her forehead.

"Shhh," she whispered quickly, rocking her with the seat buckle still across her chest. "Mommy's right here. I know you're hungry. Just wait. Just a second. Please."