Call Your Girlfriend

Part 24: In Which Helen Struggles Being A Mum

So Sunday had it's ups and downs, but maneuvering around Max's new found issues has slowly become easier, I must say. This morning as I get ready for work, I make sure I have all I need for Luna. Ready in my outfit- pencil skirt, lacy blouse, and heels-I shrug on my coat, get the baby bag on my back, baby backpack on my front and put a fully bundled Luna in the 'holster' before heading out. I do make one phone call on the way to work.

"Hello?" His voice sounds tired, but I know he's faking.

"Robert! I need your assistance starting today. I'll pay you reasonably for it." Robert is my neighbor two doors down. He and his husband split last April and he has sort of been in a slump with his job taking a nose dive and leaving him and many other workers laid off. So his mood is often lethargic if not depressed.

"What kind of assistance?" He asks curiously.

"My...friend is staying with me for a while, due to his brain surgery he just had. I need you to chill with him. Maybe make some food- watch tv. Do some exercises..."

"Babysitting? Haha you're calling me to baby sit your boyfriend?"

"He's not my boyfriend...yet. Anyway, I really need someone to make sure he is following the guidelines of recovering. You're a big, strong black man who can intimidate anyone into behaving. I fingered this is the perfect job for you...considering this one is...slightly challenging." I know I can persuade him if I fluff his feathers a bit. Vanity and praise works well for him.

"Hmm, sounds interesting. How much we talking?" Here it is.

"Huh....I'll give you $50 a day."

"That's some nice change you're offering...."

"What?"

"$250 a week to watch some dude....sounds a little..."

"Gruhhh, $75 final offer."

"You know- you're so generous and beautiful. I'll do it....for you. What's this guy's name?"

"Max. He's not back to talking yet- so he mostly texts. He is experiencing some mood swings so- yeah...don't let him lift more than 3 lbs. He's not to be bending over- and his exercises are on the kitchen counter along with money for lunch." I hear him writing down everything and then he chuckles.

"Man this'll be easy as pie. Just chilling with a guy all day. My dream job." Rolling my eyes, I am close to work and my back and feet are already killing me.

"Great. I'll be back around 7:00 tonight. During my lunch break I'll be bringing some stuff home from his apartment cause he has no clean clothes and his daughter has pretty much nothing as well." He makes a shocked sound.

"He has a daughter! What age?"

"5 months. Her name's Luna. Play your cards right and you may just get to play with her." He loves babies- almost more than I do.

"Ooo! Girl! I'm loving this job already!"

"Awesome. I'll message Max and let him know you'll be arriving at some time today." We hang up and I head into the Dam. My whole body aches from just that short walk. How does Max do this every day? How does anyone walk around with 14.5 lbs of moving weight strapped to their body? We slowly- and I mean slowly- make our way to the elevators to head to Ped's. In the elevator, I can hear how ragged my breathing is. I'm literally out of breath. What the Hell? I feel like I ran those 5 blocks again. The door opens up and we walk towards the nursery. Opening the door, the two nurses smile and I hand them Luna and the backpack. Signing the check in sheet, I smile- kiss Luna goodbye- and walk off towards the elevators. My lower back is on fire, my neck feels stiff and my feet are so numb, I don't even know if they're still attached.