Moonlight Sonata

Like a Bat

"Like this?"

"Yes but there's but so much you can do love."

I let out a sound in frustration. Mariposa has been teething for a week now and the damn tooth won't come through. My baby's gums are swollen and none of my home remedies are working. I tried homemade teething rings, I let her teeth on my fingers and played her songs. Nothing worked so I had to call Miss Lilly for help.

She insisted that I spend the day topless with Posey. Something about skin to skin contact being therapy for her.

"Mom. She can't even sleep at night. Her face is swelling up. What the hell am I supposed to do?"

"Well there's nothing you can do. She'll have her good and bad days but the first tooth is always the worst. Just make her as comfortable as possible."

"Okay, tell grandma I said hi. Love you, bye."

"I love you too Chammy."

I ended the video chat and paused for a second from my continuous rocking. Just as I was finding my zen Matthew came into the room.

"You're naked."

"You're a genius."

He frowned, "I wish I could do something to make her feel better too. Don't snap at me."

I moaned, "Perdon me, amor."

"It's okay," he reached for the baby. "You have to put on a shirt. A mom is downstairs waiting to speak with you."

I smiled widely, "My first kid?" I frantically searched for a top but all I could find were bralets. I hoped my high waist shorts and cardigan hid most of my body.

I double checked my appearance in the mirror. I was all legs and messy hair. Why was I so nervous? Because this meant something to me. I shook off all negative energy and went to meet the mom.

"Oh dear Lord." She said, "You're gorgeous. I'll make a mental note on keeping my husband home when dropping off Jemmye."

"Oh that would never be an issue. I'm practically married and I'm only here to make sure your child gets the instrumental knowledge she deserves."

"I'm so sorry. It was a terrible joke. Not many jokes are told at the firm so I'm a little rusty. I really do appreciate what you're trying to accomplish here. Musical lessons and therapy for disabled children can be so fundamental during their maturation. What made you start all this?"

"Well would you like me to take your coat? Get you a drink?"

"Oh sure. I'm sorry, I'm nervous."

I gently led this woman to the couch and sat in the chair across from her. Sarah Wagner was a woman who wanted complete control over her life but when she brought a child into this world with a disability, it challenged her. Seven year old Jemmye Wagner was born blind but her adversity seemed to only disturb her mother. At least that's what I can tell from what Sarah was telling me.

"I just want my baby to live a normal life."

I gave her a questioning look, "Your daughter is blind, Sarah. Blind like a fucking bat. She was never normal and she will never be normal. It's up to us, to protect her from that word too. What the hell is normal anyway? Forgive my bluntness but you can't change that baby. And don't ever use that word. Not up in here and not around Jemmye."

"What makes you think you can speak to me that way or about my daughter?"

"Because of my mother. My mother was the exact opposite as normal. Had it not been for her and her wacky ass parenting I wouldn't have grown into the woman I am today."