Dancing Through The Night

Chapter 17 - Cohen

Alannah lives only a ten minute walk away from me, in a lovely two storey house. I've never been in her suburban street before but you could say that it's literally just up the road from me. I spend my days at the hospital or the beach. Maybe I need to do some more exploring.
Her driveway and front yard are in neat order. I pull backwards into her bluestone driveway and park just outside the garage. That will make it easier getting Josie and the two bags out of the car. The little girl is still fast asleep as I carry her up the three stairs to the front door. Along the fence to both sides of the entry are raspberry bushes, small lemon and mandarin trees. It has a welcoming feel to it. The inside of the house is no different. Open plan living in light modern chique design gives it a friendly and inviting touch. Alannah will have to do some serious modifications in the next six months I believe, thinking back at Jayden hitting his head at the glass table at my parents place when I see a similar design in Alannah's living room. But for now I can see that this home is a comfortable, sunny place. Vicky struggled with being indoors so much when Jay was little, and I loved sitting by the window when going through chemo, getting every ray of sunshine I could. I'm glad Alannah gets a lot of light in here. That will make things easier for her.

"Where would you like me to put her?" I ask Alannah, scanning through the room. A beautiful wooden crib sits against the far wall, the only baby furniture in the room. "Maybe next to the crib here?"
"Thank you," she nods, placing her two bags next to the couch. An awkward silence spreads out as we stare at each other, both our arms now empty. She starts fiddling around with her hands, thanking me again for my help today, two days ago and for coming by her room yesterday. Alannah bends down to open her travel bag, pulling out the teddy I gave her. "And thanks for teddy," she grins. "Teddy is Josie's's first present." She puts the oversized plush toy on the couch. "It will get a special spot." I doubt Josie will ever play with the ugly thing. I should get her another present, a beautiful one.

"Would you like anything to drink?" Alannah fills the silence again. I should leave. She needs to settle in, rest and I am just in her way. It must be the mystery about finding out more about the girl I crushed on for quite a while when I was most vulnerable that makes me linger around. It's like being invited into your teenage crush teacher's home. Off-limits but so exciting. I need to go.
"I really should...." Josie stirs in her car seat, then cries. Within seconds, Alannah is by her side, unbuckels her then lifts her up. "Welcome home, sweetheart," she whispers, pressing her cheek against her daughter's. She smiles, but some sadness is reflected in her eyes.

"I think she's hungry. It's been nearly four hours." And that's my clue. Time to go home.
"I better leave you to it." Alannah sits down on the couch and smiles at me again. She nods.
"Thanks again, for everything."
I turn to leave but for whatever reason, I don't make it to the door without asking one last question.
"Would you like me to get you anything before I leave?"
"I'm fine," she shakes her head. Vicky's words from over ten years ago ring in my head. Why can't visitors just help a little bit: Put the dishes away or offer to make a tea.
"Shall I make you a tea?" I'm an idiot. I am stupid.
Her back is to me, but from the way that little head and these tiny feet move to each side of her, I'm assuming she has started to feed Josie.
"Oh, why not. Maybe a green tea.  That's fine for me to have." There's a definate playful tone in her voice.
"Yes, green is fine for you." Just a little not quite so expert advice. Before I can ask she half turns over the backrest of the couch, pointing towards the adjacent kitchen. "It's just in the top cupboard on the left, next to the microwave. - Make yourself one, if you like."
"Thanks." I make my way to the cupboard. Neatly organised in beautifully designed tins is a selection of teas. Each tin is labeled, two with the words green. "Is it the Matcha or Green Tea with lemon you like?"
"Hmm, I think the Matcha has more caffeine. I probably should have the green with lemon."
Interesting facts. I had no idea. Turning both tins in turn I learn a new trivia fact. "25mg of caffeine for Macha, 3.25mg for the green with lemon."
"Really? I think they used different measurements," she laughs.
"I have no idea."
"Maybe I'll just stick to Raspberry Leaf or Camomile. I remember they're safe. You can go for something more hardcore." I'm not much of a tea drinker. Especially when ginger is involved. The amount I drank through chemo will last me for a lifetime.
"Thanks. All good." I should make her the tea and then go.
The rasperry leaf tea is loose. Looking at the tins, none of the teas are in bags.
"The plunger is in the cupboard next to it." She leans over the sofa again, pointing and smiling. She has a lovely smile. And an infant which she's breastfeeding. I nod and continue my searches in the depths of the tea universe.

Slowly, I push down the plunger, fascinated by the way the leaves disappear to the bottom of the jug, leaving the clear aromatic hot bevarage behind. The ringing of Alannah's phone brings me back.

"Oh no," I hear her say. "I can't believe it." - "I know that." - "Don't worry. Nothing happened." - "Talk to you later and give Caleb a kiss from me."

I carry the plunger and a cup over to Alannah. Josie has finished feeding and is now sleeping in her arms again.
"Would you like me to put her in the cradel?"
"That would be lovely. Thank you." Alannah hands me her precious girl.
"And get yourself a cup, if you like some."
I was going to leave, but now I want to hear about Caleb.
"He does have whooping cough." I immediately feel guilty for thinking told you so. But then I just feel relieved that I was there, that I told the two women my suspicion. "Thank you for picking up on it. I feel sick just thinking about what could have happened."
I can't leave her like this. Alannah takes a sip of her tea and I decide I will join her and have my very first rasperry leaf tea. It's not so bad, really. We talk about the dangers of whooping cough for babies and Alannah's concerns that her friend Tessa now won't be able to come and see her for a while.
When I do leave after the tea, I give Alannah my phone number, just in case she needs anything.