AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It’s not even ten o’clock. Isn’t it a little early to be drinking?”
She takes a swig. “Well, it’s sixp.m. somewhere in the world.”
Then she throws back the drink and turns to face me, avoiding the Baby Reborn doll.
“I want to get settled in my room.” Still looking queasy, she sets down the depleted tumbler on the table.
My muscles clench. I wish my mother agreed to stay in a hotel. There are plenty of five-star hotels on Sunset Boulevard, not far from our house, but she refused to stay in one, even with my husband offering to foot the bill to keep her out of our hair.
She stares at me harshly. “Can your husband please help me with my luggage? I have three more heavy pieces sitting in the entrance.”
Sheesh. How long is she planning to stay? I was hoping no longer than a week, but it sounds more like a month. Someone’s going to die. I know it.
“Sorry, Mother. Ned is playing tennis with his partner and I can’t physically do it…so you’ll have to transport the pieces yourself.”
Her harrumph is cut short by the bouncy sound of footsteps. I look up. It’s Nurse Marley. I’ve honestly forgotten about her. My eyes pop. She’s dressed in skinny jeans and a taupe cashmere pullover. Both mine.
Holding a bundled-up Isa huddled against her.
“Ava, I’m going to take Isa out for a quick walk in her stroller. It looks like it may rain, so I want to give her some fresh air before it does.”
My mother glowers at her. “Who’s this?” she asks me, her throaty voice sharp and suspicious. She makes no mention of my baby. Expresses no interest in holding her. She’s almost oblivious to her. So much of me yearns for her to take Isa, cuddle her in her arms, and whisper sweet nothings. Something I believe grandmas do.
Just not my baby’s. I resign myself to the fact that she’ll likely be as bad of a grandmother as she was a mother.
“Mother, this our live-in nanny…Nurse Marley Manners. She started this week, but she’s already a godsend.”
Their eyes hold each other fiercely like a stare-off until Marley breaks the tense silence with a carefree hello.
My mother tilts her head to one side, never taking her intense gaze off our new help. Her anthracite eyes bore into Marley’s amethyst ones. “Do I know you from somewhere?”
Nurse Marley shoots her a wry smile. “Funny, I was just thinking the same thing.”
My mother’s eyes narrow. “Do you live in Vegas? Play the tables?”
Nurse Marley shakes her head. “Never been there in my life. I guess I just remind you of someone you know.”
“I guess the same.” My mother lets down her guard, her voice still icy. “By the way, I’m Rena.”
“I’d remember that name if we’d met before.” Nurse Marley smiles. “Before I take off, I just want to say, you have a magnificent grandchild.”
My mother sneers. “If you ask me, babies are the end of everything.”
What does she mean by that caustic remark? There’s no time to ask as she excuses herself and heads with her one piece of luggage toward the guest room, leaving me alone with Nurse Marley.
Embarrassment washes over me. “I’m sorry about my mother.”
She adjusts my baby in her arms. “No need to apologize. You warned me. Or maybe your husband did. Don’t worry, I know how to handle women like her.”
I give a wan, grateful smile. “And thank you so much for those lovely words about Isa. I feel so blessed to have you in my life.”
“The same, Ava.” She lovingly glances down at my baby. “I meant what I said. Isa is magnificent.” She plants a small kiss on her forehead, then looks up at me. “Oh, and by the way, I hope you don’t mind me borrowing some jeans and a top. I still haven’t brought my suitcase in from my car.”
Truth is, I feel a bit violated that she went into the bedroom I share with Ned and rifled through my closet and drawers without asking.
“After her feeding, Isa spit up all over me.”
“I’m sorry.”
