This is the sequel to In One Singular Moment; you DO NOT have to read the other story to enjoy this one.
Calleigh sat at the table with her one and a half year old daughter Adelisa. The small child refused to eat, it was drove a sleep deprived Calleigh insane. Eric walked into the kitchen to see his wife rubbing her eyes tiredly.
"Hey babe let me take over." He said.
"Be my guest." Calleigh replied. "She refuses to eat, I do not know why."
"Maybe she is not hungry."
"She must be, she has not eaten anything since I put her down last night."
"Cal you are tired, how about you go lie down and take a nap?"
"I was planning on taking her to the park."
"Well the park can wait, but Calleigh you need some sleep."
"What are you afraid that I am going to go all psycho bitch and kill you in your sleep?" She said with a dry chuckle.
"No I am afraid that you are pushing yourself to hard, so please go lie down." Eric flashed her his best concerned loved one eyes, which got her every time.
"Fine, but if you get her down for a nap then I would love it if I could have my husband's strong arms wrapped around me."
"Yeah I will be in once I get her down."
Adelisa's high pitched cry caused Eric to shoot straight up on bed, his gaze was momentarily turned toward Calleigh how stirred slightly in her sleep. He continued down the long hall to his daughter's room. He picked her up in his arms and began to comfort her, but the volume of her shriek increased. Seconds later Calleigh entered taking Adelisa's from Eric's arms.
"Shhh." She said attempting to settle her daughter down. "It is okay baby girl, you are okay just fine." She bounced her up and down while rubbing her back soothingly.
"I do not know why she is acting like this. Maybe she is sick or something." Eric stated.
"She cannot be sick all the time Eric, she is always like this."
"Well I think she might just be distant, or just a difficult child."
"How about I take her out, hopefully the sunshine and fresh air will make her feel better."
"Yeah, I better be getting to work."
The sun was shining brightly over Miami that afternoon, but the temperature was only mild. Calleigh wore a light blue shirt and a pair of khaki capris, with a pair of practical, low wedges on her feet. Adelisa was dressed in a lavender tee shirt and a pair of small but durable blue jeans. Calleigh made sure that her daughter wore a sunhat, afraid that her fair skin would burn in the sun. Many children were at the park that day, so Calleigh pushed the stroller to the end that was for children Adelisa's age. She placed her down in the sand with a few toys and went and sat down on a nearby bench. A tall woman with tan skin and dark hair sat next to her.
"I'm Sandra." The woman said extending her hand.
"Calleigh." She replied. "Which ones yours?"
"That one over there." Sandra pointed to a boy with dark brown hair and bright blue eyes. "His names Keith, he is almost two years old. How about you?"
Calleigh pointed to Adelisa, who was currently mesmerized by the shovel. "That is Adelisa, she is a year and a half."
"She is a little cutie pie."
"Thank you."
"She is not very social is she?"
"Well we just got here so hopefully she will start interacting with others."
While she sat there Calleigh began to notice how far behind in her development Adelisa really was. She had not really mastered walking yet, and she did not begin to form words. Worry began to fill Calleigh's already preoccupied mind. After an hour at the park Calleigh head home. She fed Adelisa and put her on the floor to play. To hopefully distract her she began to watch television.
It was four thirty when Eric returned home from work. He was welcomed to the sight of Calleigh asleep on the couch with their daughter in her arms, it was a calming sight. He caught sight of the prominent scar on Calleigh's neck that reminded him of the difficult road that led to life they shared together now. He placed a light kiss on her forehead, and then he began to make dinner.
Over dinner worries began to emerge in Calleigh's brain again.
"How was the park today?" Eric asked.
"Okay I guess." She replied. Eric knew her to well, he knew something was wrong.
"What is the matter?"
"Do not be silly, nothing is the matter."
"Do not try to lie to me Calleigh, I know you."
"Fine, while we were there I realized that other kids her age were working and saying things and they were all very social and Adelisa is not. Eric I am so worried that something is wrong, I mean most of the time she screams bloody murder when either of us even try to touch her."
"How about we schedule her a doctor's appointment, and we do not worry about it until then?"
"It is not that simple, what if something is really wrong?"
"I know that you are scared, so am I but it does not benefit any of us."
"Okay, okay I will try not to worry."
TBC…
Please tell me what you think, I know it is not the best opening chapter but I worked hard.
