Simon paused beside her and he patted a palm against his head, “Right, right. The doctor’s appointment.” He muttered to himself.
She pulled a package fruit salad from the fridge, “C-could you drop Jasmine and I off at one of the Medicaid offices? Or you could show me the nearest bus stop is. I…oh…” Resting the container on the counter, she rolled her lips in, “Do they have a Medicaid office here?” She whispered to herself.
“A Medicaid office? I think there’s one in the next town over.” He answered.
Shaking her head, she smiled at Simon, “Oh no, that’s too far. W-well if anything, Jr. can go to the doctor tomorrow and I’ll look around to find a place for Jasmine. Where’s the bus stop?” She questioned.
Simon was quick to cut in, “How about you two just tag along with Jr. and me? I already have appointment.” He reasoned.
Cherish stared down at the kitchen counter for a long moment, “I can’t afford that. I…if you could just help me find the Medicaid office. I can at least sign up for insurance there.” She expressed.
Simon wet his lips, “I do have Jr.’s stroller but the bus isn’t the safest place for you or Jasmine.” He replied.
About to protest, she quickly fought against that urge, “O-okay.” She whispered quietly.
Noticing how fast she shut down, he was about to ask her what she had to say but decided not to. He didn’t want to push her buttons just as she didn’t want to push his. Turning to take his wallet from the counter, he lifted his finger, and tapped against his brow, “Oh and if the phone rings, please answer it. I’m expecting a call and you can just tell them I’m out and to leave a message.” He remembered.
Cherish bit on her bottom lip as she nodded and forced a smile. Simon did the same before he left on his venture of feminine products. He did hope she’d have better luck than he would at the shop.
Alone in a large, foreign home in the wake of Emily’s passing made uneasy. A little coo resonated from the crib and Cherish silently made her way over peering in. She stared at the little babies resting side by side. Both of their lips were pouted, and their heads were lightly pressed together. Figuring she only had a couple of hours before they woke up, she backed away and returned to the fridge. A simple meal plan came to mind; homemade macaroni and cheese with baked chicken. That would be easy enough and she wouldn’t have to stand on her feet for too long.
Off to the mall Simon went to bring home what his new guest needed to be comfortable. He passed by a few shoe shops, the food court, and clothing boutiques, but didn’t see many underwear sections. Pausing, he stopped for a moment and thought about where Emily would take him when she needed new garments. Within five minutes, Simon stood in front of a Victoria Secret. He stared at the hot pink walls and the women within with a look of minute horror. He shut his eyes, inhaled a deep breath, and stepped in confidently as though he belonged.
That self-assurance was short lived.
He was the only man in the store and the attendants stared at him as he strolled right to the undies. Simon cut a gaze out of his peripherals and started to lift one after another in the air to assess them. The first pair was far too small, Emily sized. The second was massive and a little too thick from what he’d seen in Cherish. He continued to sift through the different sizes and held them up to himself. A few shoppers eyed him oddly and, finally, an attendant approached him clearing her throat. Simon jumped and spun around quickly. His eyes were wide as he crumpled the underwear in his hands.
The petite redhead gave him a customer worthy smile, “Excuse me sir, is there anything I can help you with?” She asked.
Although she sounded helpful, Simon could see in her eyes she thought he was a creep. His face flushed a shade of red before he gave a nervous laugh, “W-well, you see, I’m buying this for my…friend. A-and she is nice, curvy, and thick.” He explained.
The woman raised her eyebrows and she mocked a nod to show understand, “Oh. A friend.” She repeated.
Simon looked from side to side before his gaze lowered at the silky, purple and black panties in the large section. Grabbing them, he lifted them, analyzed, and handed them to her, “This one is just right. I…think. Maybe. I’ll need more in this size.” He stated.
The woman blinked at Simon for a moment before she took the hint. Taking the underwear, she helped him choose out the others while he kept his hands behind his back like a respectable gentleman. He browsed around with her and decided on red and black lace, plain black, pink, vibrant lime green, and white lace. Those were particularly nice. Simon paid for them soon after, left the store, and entered a Super Target not far from where he was.
He took a cart and strolled through the aisles only to pause at the end of the feminine hygiene aisle. For fifteen minutes, he tried to find the best ones that would give Cherish all she’d need. He remembered what the baby books said about the blood that came after a woman gave birth. Shaking his head, he pulled out his phone and googled which product had
