Page 61 of Luci’s Lullaby

“There will be no baby making up in this joint, scouts honor.” I hold up my hand.

“That’s not it.” Ava snorts.

Reese hands me a paper with some written notes on it. “Here, call these numbers in the morning. She needs a pediatrician, one is Storm’s and the other the twins. I think she needs a different milk.”

“I agree.” Ava switches Luci’s position. “She spits so much of it up, and she’s cranky. She also needs water, don’t forget that or she’ll get constipated and nobody…” she glares at me, “…wants that.”

“Milk. Water. Change.” I pretend to do a checklist. “Got it.”

Reese kisses my cheek as Ava hands Luci over. “Sorry for the quick trip, but the twins have shots tomorrow and Storm is teething.”

“But we’ll try to come back as soon as possible.” Ava hugs me and kisses Luci.

“Thanks.” I wave as they walk out the door. “The life of a single mom.”

After another night of walking the floors, I call the pediatrician offices. The first one can’t take her but the second one does. It’s Ava’s doctor for her kids. I’m thankful for the appointment, but it isn’t until the end of the day.

We continue the same schedule throughout the day. Walking, changing, and trying to sleep. I make us presentable and make it on time. Well, almost. Two hours later, I’m on my way to the store for new milk.

Luci’s screaming her head off, and I’m pulling my hair out. I drag ass through the doors and try not to run to the baby section. I turn the corner to find two aisles full of everything baby.

“You’ve got to be kidding me?” I start searching for the milk and remember she needs diapers. I also forgot the water, I need to get that and milk. “I didn’t get a cart.”

I swing Luci in her carrier as I read the labels and check the list. “No way there are this many things to choose from. There are three kinds of this one.”

“Do you need some help?” At the end of my rope and ready to beg this person to kill me. I look up and come face to face with Charlee.

“Reese was gonna come help me, but the twins got their vaccinations today and those Pennington’s are a handful.”

“So I’ve heard they are.” She smirks. “Lucky ladies.”

“Excuse me?” I pull my brows low.

She forces a grin. “How about I help you out here.”

“Please, I have no clue what I’m doing.”

“Clearly.” She forces a smile. “I haven’t seen you in a couple of weeks.”

“Yeah, sorry I haven’t been around lately.” Luci takes a deep breath and starts again. “I’ve had a lot going on.”

“I see that, that’s great.” She refuses to make eye contact now. “Let me help you with this list, I’ll go get a cart.”

“Thanks.” I don’t have the chance to get it out before she turns the corner. I rub my forehead, hoping to hold this migraine at bay.

“Here ya go, let’s see what you have there.” She pushes the buggy at me and starts loading it.

“How have you been?”

She still doesn’t look at me. “Good, excellent.”

“That’s great.” I bite the inside of my lip.

Charlee hurries through the list as she side-eyes Luci. “She’s really upset.”

“I’ve tried everything.” I turn Luci around and rock her from the other direction. “I think I’ve worn a hole in my carpet.”

“Maybe her mom could help.” She purposely sticks her nose in the paper.

“She’s not around, it’s only us.” I choke as a sharp pain takes my breath.

Charlee cuts her eyes at me. “You alright over there?”

“Yeah, I’m doin’ great.”

She pushes the cart at me. “This should be everything on the list. I took the liberty of adding a few things, stuff that worked for us when my brother was little.”

“Sounds great, thank you.”

She smashes her mouth together, backing away from us. “Alrighty.”

“Charlee?” She pauses. “Maybe we can get together sometime.”

She lifts her shoulders and lets them fall. “I think you have enough going on. Maybe find her mom and work all of that out.”

I start to tell her but as soon as she whirls around, she’s gone. “She’s right, I have no time for complicated and she is the epitome of the word.” I glance at Luci, and she snubs. “Exactly.”