Still In

XV

Two weeks later...

Tanya

"Ahhhhh!" D'Andre cried at the top of his lungs.

"It's okay, papa." I said, rocking him side to side.

There was at knock at the door and I already knew it was Karen. I had a session today, but the baby was sick. He had to be on me at all times or else he was just screaming bloody murder. I asked Karen if we could have the session here since nobody could take him. Dave was rarely home, all my friends and my brothers were busy, and Mama Leslie already had Daniel.

I opened the door and went straight to the couch. I laid down and laid the baby on my chest. Karen came in and locked the door before sitting in the chair we had next to the couch.

"Hey, how is he?" She asked.

"Miserable." I said while rubbing his head.

"I don't want to overstep, but where's Dave?"

I lightly chuckled. "Who knows, Karen."

"Wow." She whispered to herself. "Before we start, are you sure you want to have your session today?"

"Yeah, especially since I had you drive all the way here."

"How about we have an off the record counseling session?"

"Sure." I said. "What do you have in mind?"

"Let's talk about you and Dave." I scoffed. "What was that about?"

"It's just a lot going on right now."

"When did the issues start? Or the obvious ones."

"Two weeks ago."

"And since then, he's barely been home?"

"Correct."

"Do you know where he goes?"

"Nope and asking only causes an argument. I didn't want to constantly fight in front of the kids so after maybe the third time, I stopped asking."

"Are you usually asleep when he gets home?"

"Not at first. I stopped staying up the same time I stopped asking questions."

"And when you wake up?"

"We ignore each other."

"Are you guys still having sex?"

"He has to be home for that to happen, Doc."

"Right." She mumbled. "I'm going to assume that you haven't asked his friends about his location?"

I shook my head. "Even if they do know, I just stopped caring."

"You care, Tanya."

"I don't."

"You don't want to, but you do." She said. "You can't lay there, look me in my eyes, and tell me you don't care that the father of your two children isn't home to help you take care of them."

"He's a great father, Karen."

"Not meaning to overstep again, but where is he now? Your three month old baby is sick and your five year old son is with his grandparents. Meanwhile, you're supposed to be at a therapy session that he suggested you start going to, but instead, you're paying me extra to have the session here so that you can take care of the baby."

My eyes started to well up because she was right. I was here doing everything. I'm 19 years old acting like a 30 year old stay at home wife who gave up her dreams to cook, clean, have sex, and take care of the kids.