SILENT RIVERS

UNSTEADY

I couldn't sleep. Dad left early this morning and i was up long before that.

The twilight hadn't appeared yet so i know that he'll be working out of town today.

I hear a car struggling to keep moving outside and i move to the window to see.

I spot a Lady running across the street to my house and i realize it's mom.

A smile starts forming across my face and i rush downstairs.

But as i open the door i see her walking away down the steps. I open my mouth to stop her but my eyes flicker over to Jojo stirring awake.
Was she just gonna leave her there?

"Mom?" I croaked.

"Noah I'm sorry but i can't stay", she replied with her back to me,"you'll be better of without me".

"No we won't ", i shouted as the tears streamed down my face.

"I'm sorry Noah", she said walking away to the car.

Jojo began to cry loudly. What the hell do i do? I'm not Nanny Mcphee!

I took her inside thinking maybe she was cold considering cold bumps were all over my skin.
But she didn't stop.

I tried to change her diaper. But she didn't stop.

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She's been crying for five hours.  Five hours and 2 minutes to be exact.
I've been crying too. Occasionally shouting for her to shut up but it only worsened when i did.

I'm on the floor sprawled out on the carpet.
Her little eyes began to close as i rocked her in my arms. Daylight was breaking through the window.

I have to go because i have a test. If i fail, then my scholarship is officially canceled.

I wrap her in another towel and start walking to Matthew, with tears in my eyes the whole time.

I knocked on the door and it opened.

"She won't stop crying". I sobbed looking into his eyes for comfort.

"Get in", he said widening the Door," I think N'kaytri can help".

"No", i objected," i don't want anyone involved so the whole school can hear".

"She's not like that", he assured me," just trust me".
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"I told you I'd send you to prison the next time you called my phone didn't i?" I heard her voice after the door closed.

"I need your help", Matthew replied.

"With what exactly?" She asked.

"My friends baby", he told her.

She barged into the living room and her eyes met my blood shot ones.

"You know him?" She turned to Matthew.

"Do you?" He returned the question with a nod.

"Apparently, he doesn't do freaks", she sighed and walked over to me.

" Give me him", she told me with outstretched arms.

"Her", i corrected,"Jojo".

"Do you have any cereal and stuff for her?" She asked swaying her in her arms.

"No", i sniffed," but diapers and clothes are in the bag".

"I'll get some at the store", Matthew offered after she'd finished telling him what to get.

"How old is she?" She asked looking me in the eye.

"6 months old", i told her.

"Okay, get some warm water going for the cereal", she told me," I'll go get her cleaned up".

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"There you go little Lady", she smiled as JoJo's eyes shut".

She'd just fed her and burped her and was swaying her gently in her arms.

JoJo cooed and squirmed in her arms. She had Matthew and i spread a thick Comforter on the living room floor in the free space and banked it around with lots if pillows.

An extra sheet was placed on top of the comforter and a blanket on top of that one.

She laid her down gently and she remained asleep.

"Thank you", i exhaled.

She stared at me before saying,"you're welcome".

Matthew had gone to work and i overheard him ask her to stay for the rest of the day .

"You should join her", she sighed pointing to JoJo," you look like you could use the rest".

"I do", I replied honestly.

" I'll be on the sofa" she replied.

I laid down staring at JoJo sleeping peacefully. I don't know how  long i laid awake. But i do know that my last thoughts were somewhere along the lines " I'll fix this JoJo".

"So she just left her?", my dad croaked.

"Yeah", i sighed.

"Go sleep kiddo", he smiled weakly at me," you look tired".

"Goodnight", i paused on the stairs,"Dad".

"Good night son".