Lonely Sunday
She strapped the baby into the high chair and sprinkled some Cheerios on the tray. Jamie pushed the cereal around with her fat little fists, occasionally popping a piece into her mouth.
Rose smiled slightly at her daughter as she prepared her own breakfast. When the bagel was in the toaster, she slipped out to the front of the house to get the newspaper.
Jamie was babbling nonsensically when Rose returned to the kitchen with the paper tucked under her arm. "I quite agree," Rose said as she continued to the toaster to get her bagel.
She spread cream cheese on the bagel, poured herself coffee, and sat at the table to read. Jamie, in her own world, giggled and ate another Cheerio.
When Rose had finished breakfast, she took Jamie upstairs and got both of them into the shower. Jamie loved the water and laughed her carefree baby laugh, trying to grab the drops in her hands.
She dressed casually in jeans and a pink scoop neck T-shirt and put Jamie in a pale pink onesie. "Let's go play," Rose suggested after running a comb through Jamie's hair.
There was a small room off the kitchen were Jamie's toys were kept, and it was there Rose carried her daughter. She set the baby down on the carpeted floor and began pulling out a few of Jamie's favorite toys.
The youngest Hartford reached for a white rabbit. She pulled on its ears for a moment and then looked up at her mother, holding out the bunny with a hopeful look on her face.
Rose got the hint. She sat down on the floor with Jamie and gently took the toy rabbit. "Bunny," Rose said, making it hop across the floor. "Bunnies hop, don't they, Jamie?" Jamie squealed with delight.
They played for a bit longer, Jamie always laughing. She clapped her hands together, especially when her various toys lit up, flashing brilliantly colored lights in the playroom.
Rose treasured her daughter. She spent as much time with her as possible, playing and tickling and hugging, trying to make up for the person who was so conspicuously absent. She wanted Jamie to have everything.
He loved them. Rose knew it. But it just so hard, sometimes, to know that he wasn't at home with her and the baby. She wondered if Jamie realized this, or if she was still too young.
Jamie began fussing, and Rose knew instantly what the problem was. She scooped the baby up again and went into the kitchen to warm some milk from her.
The microwave beeped impatiently and Rose tested the temperature of the milk on her wrist. Perfect. She handed the bottle to Jamie, who sucked greedily. "I think it's nap time, Jamie."
Rose tucked the baby into the crib under a soft red blanket. "Sleep tight, sweetheart," Rose whispered to her daughter. "Mommy loves you." As she crept from the baby's room, she paused to look at a picture sitting on Jamie's dresser. "Why aren't you here, Mack?" Rose asked the photo. "Why?"
It was a rainy day in San Angeles, perfect for curling up and reading. Rose did exactly that, slipping into the novel without a second thought, occasionally stopping to listen to the rain fall.
A few hours later, Rose was interrupted by a particularly loud wail from Jamie. "Mama's coming," Rose yelled up the stairs as she scrambled up from her chair. "It's alright," Rose cooed when she got to Jamie. "Mama's here." She put the baby on the changing table and gave Jamie a fresh diaper.
With Jamie wrapped securely in her arms, Rose returned downstairs and turned on the TV. She put Jamie in the playpen and put on a cartoon for the baby to watch. Jamie giggled happily once more.
When the channel changed from the cartoon to a sitcom, Rose clicked off the TV and brought Jamie back upstairs. She put footie pajamas on the baby and sat in the rocking chair. She hummed a lullaby as she rocked the baby slowly.
Rose dozed off with the baby. She woke when she felt someone trying to take Jamie from her arms. "No," Rose mumbled sleepily. "No." She heard a familiar voice chuckle and whisper assurance.
"Mack," Rose said as her brain began to work properly. "Mack!" She stood and threw her arms around her husband. "I missed you so much, Mack. You've been gone so long…"
"It'll be the last time, Rose. I promise. I missed you and Jamie so much. I'm sorry for leaving you alone for so long. From now on, no more adventured for me."
"I'm glad you're home," Rose whispered.
"Me too." He slipped his arm around Rose's waist and she put hers around Mack's shoulders and together they quietly left their daughter's room.