Gradation

May 23, 2016 Search and Destroy

Search and Destroy

She closed the book, placed it on the table, and finally, decided to walk through the door. It's funny that she can lecture me non-stop on never getting off my 'lazy butt' and yet she'll sit and listen to our child cry for fifteen minutes just to 'get to a good stopping point' before she dare set down her book.  As she pushed herself to a stand with a large sigh I couldn't help but patronize her a little for it.

"Oh, I hope my baby wasn't bothering you too much ma'am. I would have soothed him but it appears to be my darling wife's turn."

She replied with a glare and unamused tone, "Shove it, Major Jerkwad, I'm moving"

I couldn't help but let a chuckle pass through my lips. Three and a half years of being married and she still hasn't lost that unwavering, ever-present sarcasm. It always keeps my mind moving so I guess I can't complain. I can only hope that she doesn't rub off on our son too much. He looks so much like his mother that I fear that my prayer won't be heard. They share the same button nose, big eyes, and creamy blonde hair. So far he acts like me but with the way he sleeps I worry he will become quite similar to his hurricane of a mother.

Just as I begin to fall back asleep Leanna comes running frantically back into the room. Keeping my eyes shut I grunt to her as if to acknowledge her presence.

"How can you sleep at a time like this?"

Use to her theatrics, I respond, "Quite easily, really. You just put you head on the pillow, close your eyes, and from there it's smooth sailing."

"Now's not the time for jokes, Jessie! I can't find Adam!", I could tell by the sincere panic in her voice that she was being serious this time.

Jumping out of bed and flying out the door I flash down the hallway towards our son's room. In a frenzy of panic I begin to throw toys and clothes around in a search for him. Where could he have gone? The only way in would be from the door or the window. We would have heard the old heavy door open. It's why we put him in this room! The only other exit is the window.

I run over to the window, ready to jump if I found it necessary, maybe even if I didn't.

"JESS! What are you doing?!", I can hear Leanna yell for me but there is no time for explanation. We have to act now. "Jess, get out of the window before you die!".

"We need to get our son back, Leanna! Look, whoever took him still has to be here. Their bike is still in the driveway,". I wasn't thinking of how they got this close to our house without us hearing the motorcycle but more of how dangerous the person who owns the thing must be.

"Jessie, did you even glance at Adam's crib?". Why would I be looking at his crib when I could be looking for the crib's sole resident? Confused, and still straddling the window, I look back at my wife to see her with Adam in her arms, looking at me with a face that would turn mountains to pebbles.

"Get back in this house and sit your happy self down!," She whisper-yells in an attempt to let our son sleep. I slowly pull myself back in the windowsill still dazed and confused. Leanna then carries on to explain to me that she had our friends push the motorcycle into our driveway. It was not the chosen steed of some ruffian here to take my son. She continues on to say that she only took so long to check on Adam because she knew his crying was the result of our friends being too loud when bringing the bike up.

"Why would you think it would be a good idea to bring that thing home in the dead of the night? Come on, Leanna," With the adrenalin leaving my body I sink to sit on the floor, exhausted.

"You're telling me you don't remember?" She cocks her eyebrow again, shifting Adam to put an opinionated hand on her hip. "You get one chance at this Jessie".

"Oh! Happy Birthday Lee!" I say with as much enthusiasm as I can conjure.

"I hope you like that bike 'cause that's where you'll be sleeping for the next melania, Jessie!" I can feel the anger she emits as she puts Adam back down in his crib before she stomps away. Oh no, I messed up. What did I forget?

"Happy anniversary Major Jerkwad!" Welp, I'm in trouble. I look over to my sleeping child, still sitting on the floor.

"Kid, learn from your old man, never forget your anniversary."