Don't Stop

I Want Another Baby

The day at work finally finished, I walked towards the sign-out sheet, scrawling my name in the blank box. I found my keys on the hooks, and jogged to my car in the starting rain. Collapsing down into the comfort of my car, I moved the car onto the street, driving to Heath's house. He had missed three days of work, still saddened by the loss of the baby. I tried comforting him but he only slept and pushed away his depression with excuses.

"Heath," I called unlocking the house door. I saw his figure stumble out of the corridor, bottle in hand. "Heath, stop drinking, it's okay." I jogged to him, swinging his arm over my shoulder, helping him to the couch. I wasn't happy that I lost the child, but it wasn't meant to happen, so I let life continue on.

"You're acting like everything is okay." he slurred, pushing a finger to my lips. I held his hand in mine, kneeling to take the bottle from him. He furrowed his eyebrows and leaned his head against the couch, "I have a headache!" He yelled, the sound echoing through the house. I patted his knee, walking away. I brought him a cup of cold water, which he threw on the floor, "I don't want fucking cold water, I want the baby. I want to be a father." He slurred repeatedly, his eyes began to glisten.

"Look babe, you're tired, cranky, and drunk. You need sleep, and when you wake up, we can talk about the baby." I coaxed smoothing the hair from his forehead. He nodded but stopped, clutching his head, I pushed against his chest making him fall to his side to sleep. I laid a bucket underneath the couch and a warm towel against his head before leaving him to sleep. He was broken, I didn't have the tools to fix him. Sighing, I walked to the master bedroom on the other half of the house. Showering and changing, I went to sleep. I was expecting a long talk tomorrow, with Heath.

    XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Naomi," Heath shook me, waking me up. "Get up!"

"What?" I sputtered, sitting up quickly. He grabbed my face and began to kiss me, his breath reeked of alcohol. I pushed him onto the floor, he started swearing but shook it off by taking a swig of the beer bottle next to him.

"Naomi, I want you." he slurred, he hiccupped, leaning onto his side. He looked sick.

"Heath," I whispered, striding towards him, holding his head against my chest and knees. "No more drinking, promise me." I croaked. He nodded but jumped up, running to the bathroom. I heard him heave into the toilet, the sounds of gagging and splashes of toilet water made me clutch my own stomach. I propped my back against the side of the bed, burying my head in my knees. I heard him gargle mouthwash and revisit me in my room, leaning his ear against my arm.

"Are you okay?" he gurgled, shaking my arm.

"I could ask the same for you." I scoffed, looking at him. He was deadly pale, I got scared holding his head in my hands.

"Help me." He cried out, pushing his face into my arms. I held him, not daring to leave him. Falling silent I looked down, he had fallen asleep. I rested my chin on his head, before drifting to sleep too.

        XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

I woke up before Heath, grabbing a garbage bag, I started chucking all the alcoholic beverages into the bag. I even found packs of beer in his car. I drove to Katie's apartment, I hid all of the drinks under the cupboard. I checked on Katie in her room, fast asleep. I sighed, walking into my room to swap my clothes for new ones. Leaving again, I went to Heath's house, I opened the door before watching him charge into the living room.

"Where?" He swore venomously, grabbing my arm, leading me to the kitchen.

"What?" I squeaked, trying to loosen his grip.

"Don't lie to me, bitch!" He threatened, shoving me against the counter. My back hit the edge, as I screamed in agony and sank to the floor. He snapped back to reality, sprinting to my aid, "oh shit! Naomi! Naomi, I'm so sorry." I cried, hunching over. I laid there for what felt like forever, hearing him shuffle through the kitchen and freezer, bringing back an ice pack. He rested it on my spine, making me wince. I howled, inching away from him. He reached for my hand, but drew back making a fist. "I'm sorry." he whispered. I turned my neck, my gaze meeting his. They were filled with pain, and hatred but not towards me, towards himself. He looked away and too my back, lifting up my shirt. His brows furrowed in disappointment.