He felt from their returned stares that he needed to explain more. Simon tossed his head back to look at her, “Cherish had just given birth and is recovering. So…I let her have the bed. We discovered last night that Jasmine prefers the bottle and Jr. will only breastfeed. After the doctor’s told me he had dietary issues and to see him eating now, I can’t take it away. He must eat.” He said firmly. Simon lightly shook his head and looked towards the bed. He knew that he’d rubbed salt into their wounds, “I just want you both to know Emily thought the world of Cherish. I just knew, if she were here, she’d do the same for her without question.” He said through gritted teeth. “If she were here.” Those words haunted him.
Jack was the first to look at his wife. They both then turned their attention down at Jasmine before gazing over at the bundle under the towel. Finally, they rested on the distressed look on Cherish and Simon’s faces. Taking a few steps forward, Miriam handed Jasmine to Simon and gave her one last look. They both seemed stuck, reasonably so since they were emotionally stretched and conflicted.
Cherish’s glossy eyes looked from one grandparent to the other. She felt as though she had insulted them in the worst way. These people were Emily’s parents and they had just lost their daughter. She couldn’t even fathom how they felt to see her there when it should’ve been Emily. Miriam backed away while Jack placed his arm around her, “Just…give us some time.” He whispered with a nod and leading Miriam away in silence.
Cherish clenched her jaw even harder, “I-I’m sorry.” She whispered. Jr. had fallen asleep under the blanket. Removing him, she placed the pacifier into his mouth. She handed him off to Simon and switched for Jasmine. With her head kept down, she held her little girl close to her chest. She didn’t know what to do. She knew Emily’s parents didn’t want her around and she did not want to be more of a burden to Simon. Sitting on the bed, she stared down at Jasmine, and thought about their arrangement. Like it or not, she was in the wrong. Maybe she could search for homeless shelters for women with children. Those existed, right? Perhaps she could ask. After all, she really couldn’t expect Simon to take care of her financially until she was able to get a job. The guilt she carried only grew heavier.
Simon looked back at Cherish and watched her movements. He left the room with Jr. in his arms to show his in-laws out and face the music.
Having rested Jasmine on the center of the bed, Cherish took her bag into the bathroom. She plugged up the sink with warm water and began to scrub her little onesies with soap. It was already decided if they asked her to leave, she would. Without question. But, then there was Jr., he needed to eat. No, no he had his father and he would have to get used to the bottle. He would be alright. So why did the thought hurt so much and so quickly? Cherish shook her head as she wrung Jasmine’s clothes out and hung them on the towel rack. Returning to the bedroom, she began to fold and pack away what little she had as Jasmine slept away. With every fiber in her, she tried not to cry but could still see the look of complete distaste on Emily’s parents’ faces.
Walking with them to the door, Simon stopped and pulled them both into a one-armed hug; apologizing softly. Letting them go, he searched their eyes. They were good people and didn’t deserve what had been dealt, “I’ll call when you’re settled into the hotel and we can talk then. You’re welcome here any time, any time at all.” He said.
Their attention slowly drifted to Jr. Now they could see their true grandson in all his glory and saw that he was a spitting image of his father. Pausing a long moment, Jack then nodded as Miriam reached out to the baby. She stroked his little head sadly, pinched his cheek lightly, and left the house. At least they got to see him.
Once the door closed, Simon turned his attention back to the stairs. He worried about the position he placed Cherish in. With a sigh, he traveled up the steps once more, opened the door, and sighed, “That was horrible timing. Hopefully they’ll come back. No, I know they will. Maybe tomorrow. They’re good people.” He stated to himself.
Cherish was about to return to the bathroom but stopped shortly. She stared at Simon and shook her head, “N-no. They deserve to come. After all, they’re family. I’m sure they’d love to see Jr.” She replied hoarsely.
Simon noticed the distress on her face and in her voice, “Cherish?”
She took a step towards the bathroom and turned those brown eyes upwards at him, “M-mhm?” She hummed.
Stepping in front of her, he was caught by her impressionable features. He saw a woman in dire need of comfort. She spoke only about him and Emily’s family. She thought nothing about herself and what she’d been through; alone. This kind of stress wasn’t needed on either of them. Clearing his throat, he lowered his face and stared at her over the rim of his glasses, “I’d like to apologize. I want you to know that this is not your fault. I don’t feel as though I’ve done anything wrong by bringing you here. I know what it looks like to them…”
Cherish stared silently as Simon clutched Jr. against his chest. Oh no, he was apologizing. This wasn’t right. He had nothing to be sorry for. He was the one who opened his arms and home to her and Jasmine.
