Dark Desire (The Sequel to NSHD)

No Need to Freak Out

Katie

I sat nervously in the cold exam room with a very unhappy baby boy sitting on my lap waiting for the doctor to come in. Owen just sent a text that said he would be here in about ten minutes.

Alex continued to scream as the doctor walked through the door.

“I see his temperature is definitely elevated, have you noticed any other symptoms?” He asked.

“He has just been really fussy today and that’s all I have noticed out of the ordinary.” I replied as Owen walked into the room.

The doctor looked in both of Alex’s ears as he wailed even louder. I was on the verge of tears myself from his consistent crying. I felt helpless. I am his mother and I can’t console him, what am I doing wrong?

After the doctor finished his exam I handed Alex to Owen. He was so good with him and Alex seemed to relax more when he held him.

“Well it looks like this little one has an ear infection. I am going to give you a script for an antibiotic. You can give him Tylenol for pain and fever but you should see some improvement within twenty-four hours,” The doctor explained. I felt slightly relieved that it was just that and nothing major.

I looked past the doctor and noticed that Owen had managed to get Alex to fall to sleep. I so hate him right now.

“Do you have any other questions or concerns?” I looked back at the doctor as he handed me the script.

“No I think that is all and thank you so much for squeezing us in,” I replied.

I quickly gathered up Alex’s bag and we headed out of the door to the car. Owen strapped him into his seat without waking him then gently closed the door.

“You take him home and I will go get his medicine and some food for supper then I will meet you at home.” I handed him the script as he kissed me on the forehead then watched him climb in his truck.

I slid in my seat and gently closed my door. I just sat there in the parking lot for a few minutes in the peace and quiet. I heard a knock on my window and turned to see a man standing by the car. I rolled my window down a little and asked, “Can I help you?”

“I was going to ask you the same thing?” He said in a familiar Irish accent.

“I don’t need any help I am perfectly fine. Do I know you?” I looked at him, he looked somewhat familiar but I don’t know where from.

“Well we met the other day… I helped change your tire,” he replied as he ran his fingers through his dark hair.

“Oh now I remember, Craig, was it?” I gave him a half smile.

“Yep that would be me. I couldn’t help but notice you crying. Is everything ok?”

I instantly brought my hand to my face. I hadn’t noticed the tears that had fallen down my face leaving my cheeks moist.

“I’m ok I just have a sick baby and a little stressed out at the moment,” I said as I wiped the tears from my face. I must look like a complete mess.

“I guess I had better be on my way. I just figured I would check and make sure everything was ok.” He grinned at me.

“Well thank you for your concern. It was nice to meet you again.” I fumbled with my seat belt before finally clicking it in place.

“Would it be to forward to ask you to go out for coffee sometime?” I instantly blushed at his request.

“Well I would love that I just don’t think it would be appropriate since I am married.” I lifted my hand up to show him the beautiful ring that sat on my finger.

“Understandable. Sorry for imposing on you.” He quickly waved and walked away.

That was odd. I really didn’t think I would ever see him again. I figured he was just passing by town. I quickly put the car in drive and headed towards home. This has been an exhausting day.

About thirty minutes later I finally pull into the drive. Alex is still sound asleep. I just know as soon as I get him in the house he is going to wake up. I try to undo his seat as quietly and careful as I could and head into the house.

I carefully sat his seat down on the living room floor and headed to the kitchen to prepare his bottle. Right on cue he starts wailing at the top of his lungs. I quickly unfasten him from the seat and try to rock him as he sucks down his bottle.

He took about half of his bottle then started screaming even louder. I sat in the rocking chair and continued to try and calm him by rocking.

Twenty minutes of nonstop crying and I was about to pull my hair out. Why won’t he just be quiet? I stood up and put him in the crib and then walked out of the room. I walked into the living room and collapsed in a fit of sobs onto the living room floor.

Owen walked in the door a few minutes later. “Are you ok?”

He sat down on the floor and pulled me into his arms. I could still hear Alex crying in the other room. “I am a horrible mother,” I cried into his chest.

“No you are not. You are a wonderful mother. What is going on?”

“If I’m such a good mother then why can’t I get him to stop crying?” I sniffed.

“Hun, he is sick. He can’t help but cry.”

“I just want him to stop for five minutes. Is that asking too much?” I cried.

He pushed back a strand of hair that had fallen in my face and kissed my forehead. “Why don’t you go lay down and I will get him to settle down. You are so exhausted.”

He helped me up off the floor and I slowly walked to the bedroom and collapsed on the bed. I could hear Owen trying to shush him from the other room. I pulled the pillow over my head then closed my eyes.