Dancing Through The Night

Chapter 25 - Cohen

I'm questioning what I'm doing here. Who does that and offers to put a single mum's child to sleep, one that could be classified as a patient. I mean she wasn't my patient as such, but I pretty much met her, in person, at my workplace. And then there is the fact that I really love that baby smell of this little girl in my arms. It's familiar. I can only assume that it's a reminder from when Jay was little. Something about Alannah makes me want to protect her, them. Both of them. Maybe because I had a crush on her, maybe because I was present when Josie was born, maybe because I am creepy.

It took the baby a good twenty minutes to settle. She woke up again when I tried to put her in the crib. That scream when I lowered her didn't leave room for negotiation. I had planned on leaving as soon as Josie was asleep but I tried four times to place her in the crib. Each time ended in a shrill scream. So here I'm sitting on the sofa, baby on my chest and tired. For a while I watch the little bundle sleep. How can such a peaceful, sweet little thing terrorise her mother that much? The only experience I have with children is Jay, and it now seems a lifetime away that he was this little. You really forget how small those fingers are, the soft skin, the cute little nose and ears. She's got the bluest eyes, just like her mum. It's funny, I think, that Josie has a tiny hole near her ear. Jay and I both have a preauricular sinus on our right ear too. I don't know anyone else who does but have noticed when travelling through Asia that summer during uni break that quite a few people in Asia had them also. Vicky doesn't. I wonder if Josie's dad is Asian, or part Asian. I would say no, but at this age it can be hard to tell. Watching Josie's little chest raise and deflate in a calming rhythm reminds me how tired I am. I grab one of the blankets at the end of the sofa and pull it up over Josie's little body, then I lean back, I slouch down, then a bit more and my eyes feel heavier and heavier.

I wake up to the smell of coffee, pancakes and weight on my chest. I didn't sleep deeply. The worry of dropping Josie was prevalent. My arms are wrapped around the little bundle, holding her in place as I slowly open my eyes. The sun is just rising, the first rays illuminating the room. The familiar sounds of bird chirping flows through the space. Only the sound of crashing waves is absent. I must have slept deeper than I thought, because I didn't notice Alannah getting busy in the kitchen.
She's wearing black tracksuit pants and a red t-shirt that's way too big for her. It looks kind of sweet. For a while I watch her carefully move through the kitchen, making those pancakes. I think she's trying not to wake us up. Worked for half of us. If I ever have kids, I hope it's with someone like Alannah. She's sexy and sweet, smart and driven when she's not tired. Why someone would leave her alone with the baby is beyond me. He must be a jerk, a jerk like my former mate who got my sister pregnant and then left. She's probably better off without him. I'm curious to ask her but who knows. Maybe he died. Gosh. I hope not. I hope he's a jerk. I silently look around. There are no pictures of a guy who could fit the criteria of being Josie's dad. He's a jerk then.

I continue watching Alannah a while longer, until Josie begins to stir. Alannah must have a sixth sense because I swear the baby didn't make a sound and Alannah was already there. The pancake scent is now filling the entire house. I really hope I get one.

Alannah smiles at me as she takes the baby. Playfully and maybe with a bit of a bad conscience she coos over her daughter, how she missed her and what a big girl she is. I'm amazed what a night of sleep can do to a person. She definitely got some rest. Good. Her eyes only land on me briefly for a thanks before focusing one hundred percent on her daughter while offering me some pancakes. She needs to feed Josie and takes her into her bedroom, so I am left to serve myself. I take two clean plates from the dishwasher and start setting the table.
I should go home. Alannah obviously wants privacy, with the door to her bedroom shut. I could leave her a note. Instead, I start making tea. Rasperry leaf tea. I know that she drinks that.

The transformation of a sleep deprived person after one night of rest astonishes me more and more. Alannah is all chatty and quirky. We both have a cup of the tea and I have the distinct feeling that we both only drink it out of politeness. I know for sure I do. When Alannah offers me a coffee after, I'm convinced she did too. Not that it's any of my business but I know she didn't drink coffee when returning from hospital and I am thinking that coffee may not be the best choice for her with the sleep problems they're having. "I'll have a decaf", she explains as if reading my thoughts.

During breakfast Alannah tells me all about her plans to become self-employed. She showed me her business plan and it looks like she's got things really figured out, if only she had time to work on it. I suggest a babysitter to her, but she feels like the little one is too young and I could hear indications that she doesn't want to spend money while not working. I used to hear the same lines from Vicky.

On my way home to get changed for work and to drop back Winston I can't stop thinking about those two beautiful people all on their own. Alannah will make her way, I know it, but it will be a tough road. Before I reach my place my phone pings with an incoming message. I don't recognise the number.

Thanks for your help last night. I really needed that. Please let me know if I can ever help you with anything. Maybe dog sitting? Alannah

Dog sitting. Yeah right. That's just what she needs. I'm surprised though how happy it makes me that she kept my number.