"The baby's crying."
"So, pick him up."
"He doesn't want me, he wants his mother."
"Oh, for God's sake!" She exclaimed, putting her plate in the sink and walking over to the bassinet. Leaning over, she picked up their three-week old son. "You're going to have to get used to holding him, you know. He's just as much yours as he is mine!" She turned her head to look at the baby, still crying even though she was rocking him. "Shh. It's okay, honey. Mommy's here." She continued rocking him until his cries lessened and he fell asleep, finally taking his much-needed nap.
Walking back out into the living room, she saw him sitting on the sofa, staring out into space. Sighing, she walked over and sat down next to him.
"He's sleeping, finally. I'm sure he'll be hungry in another hour or so." When she didn't get a response from him, she nudged him lightly. "Whatcha thinking about?"
He looked at her and let out a deep breath he didn't know he was holding. "I can't do this." He said finally, his voice lower than a whisper.
"Can't do what?" She asked, nervous about the answer, which she already knew.
"This whole thing. You, me, the baby. I can't do this, I'm sorry." He stood and walked to the door. As he opened it, she grabbed his arm.
"Please, Will. Don't go. What about the baby? He needs you. You're his father."
Shaking his head, he replied. "No, he doesn't. He needs you." He walked out into the hallway, but turned back to her before getting into the elevator. "I'm sorry, Karen. I'm so sorry."
With that, the elevator doors closed, leaving a confused and distraught Karen standing in the hallway of her apartment building. She leaned against the wall and began to cry when a small cry came from her apartment.
Running back inside, Karen walked into the nursery and picked up her son. "Shh. It's okay, sweetheart. Mommy's here. I'm not going anywhere. I promise."