Margaret tucked her eyebrows together while she bit down on her thumb nail; studying her, “Do you have any clothes?”
Cherish looked to Simon for a moment before she nodded, “I have a couple of outfits. I’ll be fine. Please, don’t worry about me.” She responded.
Simon knew this was an uphill battle. Cherish didn’t want to accept complete handouts and his parents, like him, were more than willing to give. These two women were good by default but stubborn. Instead he tried to help them come to a compromise, “Well. They’re likely going to buy Jr. clothes. If he gets clothes so should…Jasmine, right?” He asked. Cherish turned her face to look at him fully with a bewildered expression. She shook her head several times and even tried to hiss through her teeth for him to stop. But, he continued as he flicked his gaze to his mother, “And I’m sure Cherish would like to buy her own style of clothes. Uh, right Cherish?” He asked as he looked between them. All he could do was hope they’d settle for because he knew how he made her feel with their recent shopping spree.
Slowly, Cherish faced his parents and saw their genuine expressions, “You guys don’t have to do that. I plan on getting a job once I heal. Then I should be alright.” She answered.
Margaret laughed a bit, “Oh, honey. You won’t heal for another six to eight weeks. That’s almost two months away!” She exclaimed. Just as she was about to use her push-come-to-shove tactic, Jr. started to cough out a cry. Cherish almost lifted herself out of the seat because she knew what he wanted, and her breasts ached to be released. Then, she remembered her place and slowly sank back into the seat.
Margaret inhaled a deep breath happily. Her grandson was awake. Setting the glass down, she hurried over to the crib and shushed him in a motherly manner. Pausing, she noticed Jasmine’s eyes were wide open and stared up in that general direction with a pensive look. A warmed smile came over her features before she looked up at one of the men, “Honey, can you get Jasmine for Cherish? It looks like she is hungry too.” She said.
Simon Sr. got up right away and picked the little girl up. Bringing her over to Cherish, he held Jasmine out.
Holding her grandson close to her chest, Jr. began to turn his cheek inward with his mouth wide open. As soon as he didn’t get what he craved his wails began and increased dramatically in pitch. Margaret was astonished and had overlooked the slight detail that Cherish fed him, “Simon, do you have a bottle? Did you buy the different nipples to see if they helped?” She questioned.
Simon cleared his throat and hoped this wouldn’t be the step over the line to make the situation even more awkward, “Actually. He is fed naturally and now he won’t stop until he’s ready. Cherish is great at it.” He answered. Standing, he could see Jasmine’s was impatience, “I’ll be back with her bottle.” He told his dad. With a hurried step, he tucked into the kitchen.
Cherish’s eyes fell wide while everyone rushed around her in almost a panic. She pushed herself to her feet and stood next to Simon Sr. with the same blank expression as he had. Margaret paused in her step and swiftly turned to them. A bit dumbfounded, she then smacked her forehead and clenched her eyes shut, “That’s right, that’s right. I forgot I already knew that.” She said. Pausing, she watched Simon as he passed her by for the kitchen counter holding the formula and bottles, “So, he’s eating okay?” She asked suddenly a bit choked up. Margaret couldn’t forget how helpless and defeated her son looked as he received the news of Jr.’s possible condition. They knew they’d have to watch him, weigh him often, and bring him in if they didn’t see a change in weight. She smiled down at Jr.’s red face before she bit her bottom lip. Approaching Cherish, Margaret set him in her arms and stared at her as though she was grateful, “I’m sorry, it slipped my mind in my anger. Please, do what you must do.” She stated.
Cherish took Jr. into her arms before she began to make her way for the stairs, “I’ll feed him and change him if you guys don’t mind. I’ll bring him down when he’s done.” She replied.
Margaret watched the two of them disappear behind the wall. Walking over to her husband, she leaned over his arm while Jasmine’s whimpers started, “Oh boy. What have we gotten into?” She asked him quietly while rubbing her arm.
About an hour and a half later, Cherish had finished feeding Jr. and changed his diaper. She slowly made her way down the stairs and remerged only to find Simon was asleep on the love seat. Simon Sr. and Margaret were watching the television on low with Jasmine tucked in her arms. Catching sight of Cherish, Margaret leaned her head back and gave a smile, “Hi. Is he sleeping?” She asked.
Cherish paused in her step and nodded, “Yes. He’s out like a light.” She answered.
Margaret waved her closer, “Great. Why don’t you let us take him and get yourself some sleep?” She offered.
Cherish looked down at Jr. for a moment and felt bad, but how peaceful Simon looked swayed her decision. Setting Jr down in Simon Sr.’s arms, she ran her fingers through her hair and nodded, “Okay, I’m going to do that. Thanks.” She answered. Margaret smiled after her and waved her off as she went ahead to catch up on sleep.
The night went on with the grandparents watching over the kids while Cherish and Simon got their rest. When evening rolled around,
