In a Perfect World

Chapter 3

Chapter 3

            “So how was your first day back?” my mom asked at dinner later that day.  After Ella left, I sat and did my homework while Hayley played with her toys.  Since the day I got pregnant, people warned me that I wouldn't be able to concentrate and do homework because Hayley would distract me, but she was an exceptionally great baby and she was very independent.  I remembered at first when she was just a newborn I was holding her and tending to her needs almost twenty-four/seven, in fear that something would go wrong, but over the months, it got easier.  Hayley didn't cry as much as other babies and when she did cry it was usually for food or because she needed a diaper change.  I didn't neglect Hayley, ever, on the contrary, the biggest struggle for me is to stop paying attention to her and do my homework. 

            “It was fine,” I told her, feeding Hayley a spoon of baby food.  Hayley was completely oblivious to the spoon, too fascinated by my family since it was the first meal we were all sitting together and eating, and the baby food just oozed right back out of her mouth. 

            “Learn anything new?” mom questioned, just like every other day I was ever in school. 

            “Nope," I said, attempting to feed Hayley the same spoon of baby food.  "Every class was mostly a review since I already learned most of the course work when I was home-schooled.”

            “Well that’s good; you should be able to get a five on your AP exams then," my dad said as more of a statement than question.  My parents expected the best for me and held me to the same standards I held myself to.  I needed to get fives on my AP exams to receive credit in college to lessen my workload in college.  I was still all about my future, just now it included Hayley, and I was going to do everything I could to make sure I gave her a good life.

            “That’s my goal,” I assured him, with my attention still focused on trying to get Hayley to swallow the same bite of baby food.  Putting the spoon back into her mouth, she closed her mouth around the spoon and refused to let go with a huge smile on her face.  "Come on Hayley, release," I coaxed her, tugging slightly on the spoon until she let go; this time the spoon was clean of baby food.  

            “So how is Ella doing?” my mom inquired, taking a bite of her food.  It must have been odd for her to not see Ella almost every day for the past few months since Ella was at our house nearly every day before my pregnancy because it was weird for me. 

            “She’s fine; she came over earlier and met Hayley," I informed her, successfully feeding Hayley, who was all smiles, another bite of baby food. 

            “That must have been nice," my dad smiled.  "I'm sure after seeing photos of Hayley and listening to you talk about Hayley she was anxious to meet your little darling of a baby girl."

            “It was great!  Ella adores her and even though Hayley was asleep for a while, I know she likes Ella.”  I smiled at Hayley, who flashed me her winning smile, admiring my daughter’s beauty

            “That’s good,” she said.  “So how was your day Jessica?”

            “It was fine, I have a test tomorrow,” she replied, through her food. 

            “What subject?” my dad asked. 

            “Statistics.” she said sadly. 

            “Are you not ready for it?” he questioned.

                        “No, I’m ready.”