He’d only gotten through three folders and already thought of ways, reasons, and excuses to leave. He needed to take his mind from it because he was always known to be sluggish when returning from a vacation, but this was worse than anything he’d felt before. Picking up the phone, he connected to an external line and called home. Perhaps checking up on Cherish and the kids would help his anxiety.
Cherish had just burped the last baby and rested her little body in the crib beside Jr. who was already filled to the brim. The morning had been rough, as usual, but this time she didn’t have an extra two hands to help. Jasmine had pooped her diaper and just as she cleaned her up, Jr. took an atomic bowel movement; one which traveled up his back and soiled his onesie. So, he needed a bath, and Jasmine was dragged through the house in her rocker towards the bathroom downstairs and had to sit in the hallway while she bathed Jr. This happened on top of their regular feedings and tummy time.
The house had been filled with more screams than ever that morning. Now, both were swaddled, asleep, and Cherish could finally sit down. As soon as her butt hit the sofa, she melted against the soft cushions and slowly leaned her head back with a deserved groan. Silence was true bliss. A solid second in the parental running which fell right beneath a shower, something she’d get to enjoy when Margaret arrived.
The fragile quiet was threatened as the rings from Simon’s office phone echoed out. Quickly, she lifted her head, hopped off the sofa, and passed the kids in a swift jog, “No, no, no, no…” Opening one of the doors, the ringing only intensified as she rounded his desk and quickly picked up the receiver, “H-hold on.” She said to whoever was on the line. Setting it down on the desk, she paced across the room, shut the door, and returned to his chair. Sitting down, she cleared her throat and placed the phone to her ear again, “Hello?” she asked.
The sounds of a car engine roared in the background as Margaret tapped her fingers on the steering wheel, “Cherish? Hello sunshine! I’m just letting you know that I’m picking up some lunch and I’ll be there in about half an hour. Kohls was having this wonderful little sale so I popped in for a minute and bought…well I spent about two hundred dollars on a new kitchen set I don’t need.” She replied.
Cherish listened to Margaret before she calmly hummed, “Oh no. It’s fine, take your time. I just put the kids down so—”
“—Oh! I’m going to let you enjoy that quiet time then! I know how precious it is! Be there with lunch soon.” She interjected before the line went dead.
Cherish pulled the phone from her ear while she muttered, “Oh, okay.” Before she could take her hand off the receiver, it rang again. She yelped and quickly smacked a hand over her mouth while her heart hammered in her chest. She rolled her eyes up as it rang once again before she picked it up once more, “Uh, y-yes, hello?”
“Cherish, it’s good to hear your voice. At least I know you survived.” He teased. Grinning, he eased up and rested his elbows against the desk, “So tell me all about it. How were they? Was Jr. a handful? Is Jasmine being good for you?” He questioned while not paying any attention to a call from Imani on another line.
Cherish relaxed a bit at the sound of Simon’s voice, “Right now they’re asleep and I want to keep it that way. Your son atomic shit himself not long after you left. That was fun. I think the stink has seeped into my clothes so when your mom gets here I’m going to shower up. But we’re all doing good.” She answered.
Simon laughed out loud and they both knew it was because he wasn’t there, and luck didn’t seem to be on her side, “Jr. was just being a generous boy.” He said.
“Generous my ass!” she snipped back before her laughs echoed with his. Cherish yawned and leaned against the back of the chair, “How about you? Is everything alright? They haven’t eaten you alive, have they?” she asked.
Simon glanced over to the corner of his office. He was more aware of how well liked he was than he originally thought, “Not at all. I…they brought me gifts. Everyone is really understanding and they’re going easy on me. But, I miss you guys. I’m trying to get my head back into it and I did well for a while, but I can’t really think straight.” He replied.
Cherish rocked from one side to the other as she stared out of the French doors windows at the crib, “Oh yeah? They’re nice to do that, but I get it, you know? I admit that I’m lonely too. The kids are doing these weird faces and I always find myself calling for you, but you’re not here…” Sighing, she scratched at the side of her head, “It sucks. I thought this would be easier, but the kids miss you. We all do.” She replied.
Simon thought for a moment that Cherish would encourage him to stay at work and push him to go hard. But, when he heard that she and the kids missed and needed him, that made up his mind, “I think I’m going to come home. I’ll…work in my office.” He said. Releasing a pent-up sigh, he looked around his desk and confirmed his decision; nodding, “Yeah, I’ll be
