After Love

Chapter 6 - What Should Have Been

She looked at me. I looked at her. We looked at each other and the noise began. I was out of faces to make and she was just beginning to make her presence known.

"Loni. Loni", I called to her hoping she hadn't run away. "Where's the milk? Are you done?".

She rushed in, "Angelo. Give me a second. The video is still buffering. I told you to get faster WiFi... Do I put sugar in the milk?".

My mother wasn't answering, none of our friends had children and Loni's Mother was the last person we would call. This was more challenging than I thought.

With Oarabile, Namisa and I had a system. She would breastfeed him or prepare the bottles in advance, I just had to warm them in the microwave.

"No, don't put milk.... No, I mean sugar... I used to taste OB's milk, there was never any sugar. Don't make it too hot." I picked up Ora, "She won't stop crying. Let me try my mother again, while I walk around with her".

I wanted to spend time with Oratilwe and looked forward to the day I would introduce her to Loni but this was not how I expected it to happen. This must have been difficult for her, being stuck with two strangers for the weekend.

Namisa got a call from her office that she had to travel to Cape Town for the week, her family were still in Durban and she didn't trust any of her friends to watch Oratilwe but after what happened to Oarabile, I couldn't blame her. I also wouldn't trust anyone who wasn't family with my child.

I appreciate her trusting me and bringing our daughter here but this was so mistimed. Loni had just opened up to me and I wanted to show her that Namisa would not cause any conflict for us. Unannounced visits from an ex definitely lead to conflict.

At least she brought a baby bag with all of Oratilwe's things and gave us a break down of her favourite blanket, which teddy she slept with, which toy she bathed with and what she was allergic to but she didn't tell us what to do between now and bedtime.

I walked her to the guest room and back. Up the stairs, down the stairs and out to the patio but Oratilwe would not stop crying.

Loni finished making milk and that didn't help. She continued crying.

"Angelo. Did you check her nappy?", Loni asked.

"No. Namisa dropped her off like an hour ago. She must have a clean nappy.", I responded.

"Your mom just texted. She said we should check her nappy", she took Oratilwe from my hands, lay her down and began undressing her.

"Ummm... Loni... Do you need to do that?", I asked.

"Yes. How will we know if her nappy needs changing or not?", she responded.

"Checking her nappy, I agree but do you have to take off her beanie, jacket and everything. You could have just lifted up her dress". I looked at her and she looked at Oratilwe and then we both started laughing.