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I’m NOT a danger to my baby.
She lied. Maybe she had a photo for proof, but maybe she staged it. Placed Isa face down on her tummy and found the oversized teddy bear in her closet. One of her many baby gifts.
I’ve read enough thrillers and seen enough movies.
She’s gaslighting me. Trying to prove I’m incompetent or insane. I thought she was a friend, someone I could trust and confide in, but I was wrong. So, so wrong.
The question is why…why is she doing this to me?
Motives whirl through my head. Give me a headache.
To break up my marriage?
To get me committed?
To have my baby taken from me by Child Protective Services?
I shudder at the chilling possibilities, especially the last one.
And here’s another thought. Maybe there’s something wrong with her. I’ve always thought she’s hiding a secret.
Maybe she’s an imposter.
Escaped from some loony bin.
Is linked to a child-stealing ring.
Or maybe it’s some form of revenge.
I recall that old movie I watched on AMC, The Hand That Rocks the Cradle. That crazy nanny played by Rebecca De Mornay—who ironically looked a lot like Nurse Marley—who wormed her way into the household of a young family, out to claim the baby and destroy the wife, who accused her late doctor husband of sexual misconduct, costing him to lose his medical license, which led to his suicide and her subsequent miscarriage.
Could Ned have done something in his past that set Marley off? What throws me off is if so, why didn’t he recognize her?
My mind harkens back to that cryptic letter I read last night. Is this all part of her “plan”? Is Ned part of it? And what exactly is it?
As much as I loathe him, Ned and I need to talk. Against my better judgment, I text him to find out if he’s at the retreat and to confirm he’s coming home tomorrow. He tells me he’s there, but it’s been extended, and won’t be back till Wednesday. Damn. That means I’ll be alone in the house with Nurse Marley and my mother for several days. I don’t trust her. And I especially don’t trust her with my baby.
I need to get my mind off these intrusive thoughts. While Isa naps next to me in her bassinet, I spend time on my laptop at the kitchen island. Convinced Isa’s birth certificate has gotten lost in the mail (it’s been over two weeks), I research how to get a replacement. I log on to the state vital forms website and fill out an application. It takes me five minutes. Isa’s replacement birth certificate should be here by the end of the month.
Isa wakes up only once. I change her diaper, and then put her to my breast, reveling in the closeness and love I feel for my baby. This exquisite miracle. While nursing, she falls asleep and I gently put her back into her bassinet.
Time passes. It’s close to five when I get a call.
To my surprise…from Gabe.
My heartbeat quickens. I feel that rush of endorphins.
After some pleasantries, I ask if he’s at the retreat with Ned.
“Ava,” he says, “the retreat was cancelled.”
What?
I got a text from Ned saying he was there and it was extended. My daughter’s godfather goes on.
“Palm Springs is flooded. In some parts, over ten inches of rain. Cars are underwater, wires are down, and many are without power. They’ve shut the city down.”
“Gabe, I didn’t know that. I haven’t seen Ned all day.” That at least is the truth.
