Crazy In Love (Anthony Rizzo)

Baby Blue

Melissa

"You know... I'm at this bar right now and the bartender isn't quite as cute as you" Anthony says over the phone.

"Is that so" I ask.

"Yeah. His hair isn't quite as nice as yours" he claims and I roll my eyes.

"I gave you my number in upmost confidence that you would use it for good" I insist.

"Well then that's your mistake because I am very good at not taking hints" he claims.

"I can see that now" I tease.

"Well I just wanted to talk to you. How was your day" he asks.

"It's was well" I say.

"What did you do" he wonders.

"You're not getting it out of me that easy" I laugh.

"I had to at least try" he claims.

"So what are we doing Thursday night" I ask leaning against the bar. It was empty and I was hoping I'll get let home early. Lord knows I needed to be there.

"What were you thinking" he wonders.

"That one date wouldn't kill me but you keep asking me for one would" I joke and he gasps.

"Jesus you're so mean, what am I getting myself into" he asks.

"I'm just kidding" I insist. "And I like sushi" I admit.

"I do too" he agrees. "So we can grab some dinner and maybe go on a romantic boat ride" he suggests and I smile.

"That sounds like a lot of fun" I admit.

"Sounds like a plan. I'll see you when I get back" he asks.

"I'll be here."

We hang up and I close up shop not too long after that. I drive a little outside the city over to my little rinky dink apartment building and let myself in. I drop my bag off at the front door and let out a long sigh.

"Mom" a sweet little voice rings out and I smile.

"It's me" I assure the voice and I hear little feet come out from the living room into the doorway. My beautiful little girl appears in front of me and I smile big. She runs over to where I was standing and I easily pick her up. I place her on my hip so I could get a good look at her and she kisses my cheek. I run my fingers through her curly blonde hair as she smiles big. I haven't seen her in hours and I missed her so much.

"How were you today" I ask.

"Good" she claims.

"Are you lying to me" I ask and she giggles.

"No mommy, I'm a good girl" she claims.

"Good. Where is your uncle" I ask.

"He's in his room" she says.

I walk us over to the spare bedroom and peek my head inside. I see him passed out on his bed with his medication next to him. I know that stuff does some crazy things to him but I'm glad he's finally getting some sleep.

"When did he go to bed" I ask my little girl.

"Seven" she says and I nod.

"Well we are going to let him sleep" I say closing his door back up and walking us back into the living room.

"Can we eat ice cream" she asks giving me those sweet baby blue eyes.

"Of course baby, we can get ice cream" I assure her.

We go into the kitchen and I pull out a carton of vanilla ice cream. I make us a bowl with hot fudge and marshmallows and we sit on the couch to eat it. It was about midnight now and a five year old should really be asleep by now, but it's almost summer time so I figured she should be fine.

"What did you and uncle Tim do today" I ask.

"We watched Disney movies and he let me be Elsa" she smiles big.

"You hate the cold" I remind her.

"So" she counters and I roll my eyes. She's sassy but I can't be mad because she gets it from me.

"Is that all you did" I ask.

"No. Uncle Tim took me to the zoo and I got to feed the animals" she claims.

"Wow, we're they big" I ask.

"Oh yeah, like as big as this building" she claims dropping her spoon so she can show me with her arms just how big the animals were.

"Woah" I gasp and she nods.

"Crazy, I know" she insists before shoving another spoon full of ice cream into her mouth.

We finish our bowls and I rinse them off. I take her to her bed and she changes and washes up. I help her brush her teeth and do her hair before tucking her in.

"You know... mommy is going on a date on Thursday" I tell her and she gasps.

"Is it with daddy" she asks and I sigh.

"No, it's not with daddy" I explain.

"When is he coming back" she asks.

"Not for a long time. We will see him again, one day" I assure her and she nods. I'm sure I'll see the prick again. Always seems to find a way.

I kiss her goodnight and she quickly falls asleep. I go back into the living room and pick up some toys. I look at my crazy schedule this week and sigh. Thursday seemed to be the only bright spot.

I sit there and try to figure out how I'm going to get everything the I need done, done. At about one in the morning a door opens and I hold my breath. I see my brother come out and let out a sigh that it wasn't my daughter up at 1 am already.

"Good morning sunshine" I tease and he gives me the finger. He goes to the kitchen cabinet and grabs a glass then gets a cup of water.

"How was your day" he asks sitting next to me.

"It was fine. But it sounds like you had a lot more fun than me" I admit.

"Well you're healthy enough to hold a job so I think you win this argument" he claims.

"When do you go in to the doctors next" I ask.

"My next chemo treatment is the 24th" he explains.

"Okay. I can take my daughter to work with me for a few days" I nod. "How was she today" I ask and he smiles.

"A angel like always. She watched Frozen three times then I went to show her a real life animals at the zoo. She almost cried when the otter swam over and waved at her" he claims and I laugh.

"Sounds like her" I nod.

"So are you excited for your date this week" he questions and I sigh.

"I mean, yeah. I'm a little skeptical, I never thought I would get back out there again, and not with someone like him. He seems like a cool guy, he's super cute and so down to earth. But I really don't have any room in my life for a relationship... especially if it ends like my last one" I sigh.

"If he hurts you I hope this cancer takes me so I don't end up killing him myself" he insists.

"I love that you care about me, but you're going to beat this cancer and if Anthony seems like a bad guy I'm leaving before I get in too far" I insist.

"Good. But I wouldn't mind another niece or nephew" he claims.

"Sure you won't. You don't have to carry it around in your stomach for nine months" I tease.

"I'm serious though. Be careful" he warns.

"I will" I assure him.

He shuffles back to bed and I decide it was time I should too. I brush my teeth and comb through my long hair before throwing it in a messy bun. I crawl into bed with my baby girl and let out a long sigh. Here's to another long week.