Jessica put her pillow over her head and dug herself into the mattress. If only I could burrow my way inside the bed, she thought sleepily. Too bad I can't hide myself in the box spring. Then I won't have to listen to him crying non stop... He had come into the world in early October, a whopping eight and a half pounds that caused his mother a little tearing and a lot of screaming to get him out.
Jessica, Todd said in frustration as he walked upstairs and into the room, the tiny baby squealing in his arms. I've been calling you for the past five minutes! I think he's hungry.
He's not hungry, I just fed him.
You didn't just feed him. He ate over two hours ago!
Well, he didn't eat enough.
He can't eat enough. He has a tiny stomach and can't eat too much at once. Don't you get it?
Well go make him a bottle then dammit! she snapped.
Todd rolled his eyes in exasperation and marched down the stairs and into the kitchen.
Jessica sneered with contempt at his retreating back. Todd was getting on her last nerves. And so was their new son. Motherhood was not turning out like she anticipated. Everyone told her that it would be hard. But she never expected this rude awakening.
She thought that all she would have to do was feed Jake, change him a few times and then watch him sleep, just like those perfect pink little bundles of joy on television. But after four weeks of having him home, she was ready to scratch her exhausted eyes out so she wouldn't see another dirty diaper, and rip out her eardrums, just so she couldn't hear his incessant bawling!
How the hell did Mom do this? Jessica moaned unhappily. With two babies?
She unbuttoned her blouse so the baby could suckle. After a couple of minutes of him trying to latch on to her very irritated nipple, Jessica gave up. She was rewarded with another set of wailing from her very demanding infant. Her breasts were tender and her nipples sore. She hated breastfeeding! She hated changing diapers! She hadn't had a proper bath for months now!
First because her belly was so big that she couldn't bear to stare at it while naked in the tub. And now that the baby was born, well, she barely had time for a shower, far less get into the relaxing, bubble filled water. Between washing bottles, wiping his constant drool, watching him spit up, and his non stop demand for attention, Jessica was fed up.
Todd, where's the bottle? she yelled to him downstairs, as the baby screamed louder.
I'm coming. For Christ's sake Jessica, why don't you try to feed him while I make it?
He doesn't want to breastfeed,! she screamed.
No, you don't want to breast feed, Todd declared, his voice full of aggravation, as he handed her the warm formula. The lactation consultant at the pediatrician's office told you that you're not trying hard enough, Todd argued.
And you barely eat,! he continued. How are you supposed to produce milk when all you want to do is munch on carrot sticks and celery? The doctor said you should have an adequate diet to be able to feed him properly!
I am trying,! Jessica fumed, irritated with his criticism. Her ocean blue eyes shot daggers at her husband. I'm not a damn cow! If you want him breast fed why don't you do it yourself,! she said harshly. And how am I supposed to lose this weight if I keep eating like a pig?
Eating like a normal person, like a normal woman who just gave birth is not eating like a pig, Todd countered.
My mother brought over lots of food for us last night. She knows how busy we are and she's going out of her way to help us.The least you can do is to get off this ridiculous diet and eat something nutritious for once!
I'm not eating your mother's greasy food! No wonder she's so fat!
Todd gave her a dirty look.
Jessica grabbed the warm bottle and placed it in the baby's tiny mouth. Jake stopped crying, as if to inhale deeply, just so he could start up a new onslaught of screaming.
Hello,? a voice rang out. They looked to the door to see Todd's mother, Emily Wilkins in the hallway.
I let myself in, I hope you don't mind, the plump, auburn haired woman said, as she watched her son and his wife, obviously in another state of chaos. She walked up to Jessica and the now squealing infant.
Shhhhhhh, she said gently, as she smoothed the baby's black hair. It's alright, it's alright…..
She took the bottle from Jessica, and put the nipple in Jake's mouth. He immediately began to suck greedily.
Let me take him, she offered, as she practically pulled him from his mother's arms.
Jessica glared at her mother in law in annoyance. While she was happy that the baby had finally quit his crying, she didn't like the fact that it wasn't her that got him to do so. Mrs Wilkins glanced at her over the baby's head. Jessica detected a hint of disapproval that was always present whenever they were in the same room together.
That woman was always coming over unannounced, always giving unsolicited advice, always snooping into Jessica's business, her sleep patterns, her diet, even her bathroom habits! She would never forget the day that Todd's mother found out that she and Todd were a couple. Mrs Wilkins had come to Todd's apartment to drop off some beef lasagna that she knew her son loved. She walked into the bedroom to find a sleepy Jessica, lazing on the bed in her underwear.
Oh, Excuse me Elizabeth, his mother apologized profusely. It's nice to see you Liz, she smiled sheepishly, as Jessica covered herself with a blanket.
I'm Jessica, she corrected abruptly.
Oh? Todd's mother said. The look of bewilderment that Jessica noted that day never seemed to have left her mother in law's doughy face. She looked at Jessica as if she was always thinking… "What is my son doing with you and not Elizabeth?"
Jessica watched as Emily cooed lovingly towards her child. A bit of jealousy sparked in her as she saw how well her baby responded to his grandmother. Jessica could never get Jake to relax and behave like he was now doing.
The only time Jessica felt truly comfortable was when her own mother was there with her. Alice always seemed to know what to do with the baby. And so did Emily, she thought grudgingly. Todd was surprisingly good with him too, except at feeding times. But he was always content to watch him sleep, and loved giving him a bath.
Jessica looked down at her belly and frowned. She'd been starving herself from the minute Jake was born, in an attempt to get back her figure. She had gained around twenty five pounds with her pregnancy. The latter months had been especially difficult. Her energy was sapped, her ankles always swollen, her shoes didn't fit, and she experienced heart burn and indigestion, something she never had a problem with before.
The one thing she did enjoy was the different gifts she got from her friends, and the fact that her breasts were bigger. She had gone from a B cup to a C. She couldn't wait to buy a whole new set of sexy bras in all colors! And panties to match! Lila had thrown her a baby shower, and she was happy with everything she received. But she missed being able to go out whenever she wanted, missed spending all night dancing in the club, missed spending hours at the mall, trying on all the latest fashions.
Todd spent most of the day at practice and basketball season was already a month along in progress. Which meant she was often left home with the baby. She was missing all the parties and exclusive nights of hanging out with his teammates and their wives. Todd seemed to have lost interest in socializing with the other players. He did the required engagements, but went to fewer social gatherings with his team.
He'd rush home from the game, or from practice just so he could spend time with their son. Their maid Marta was a big help with the household duties, but she had been very clear to Jessica and Todd that the baby would not be her responsibility. Grace Fowler told her to take as much time off as she needed. Jessica was grateful, another employer would never be so lenient with maternity leave. Jessica soon approached the idea of getting a nanny for Jake. After several discussions that frequently turned into arguments, Todd refused to budge.
If you need more help, my Mom can always stay over, he said.
Jessica scoffed at his offer. Why shouldn't they hire a nanny? A couple of the other players' wives had full time help for their kids. After about a month more of pleading and begging, and realizing that Jessica would not give up her appeal, Todd finally relented and told Jessica they could get extra help, as long as she paid for it.
He wasn't comfortable with leaving his child with a stranger, but he knew that Jessica and his mother were not as warm and fuzzy with each other as he would like them to be. It would never work, for his mother to spend a lot of time at his house. Besides, Emily Wilkins did have her own catering company, which kept her very busy for most of the day.
So to keep the peace, and to make his wife happy, he agreed to her wishes. Jessica was thrilled. After interviewing several candidates, they settled on a middle aged woman named Pilar. Jake took to her immediately, and especially loved when she sang to him in Spanish. The plan was for Jessica to go back to work, as soon as Pilar started working for them.
For whatever reason, Jessica was taking her cool time to get back to her job, which meant that her promise to supply the funds for Pilar's salary was quickly forgotten. When Todd expressed his concern about her breaking their deal, she shrugged her shoulders and told him she wouldn't be caught dead at work unless she was a size six again. The skinny models would make her feel fat, and she needed more time to get back in shape.
Todd would often come home to see Jessica lounging by the pool with Lila and Amy, rubbing tanning lotion on her already bronzed body, and sipping on cocktails. He began to realize that they'd found a gem in Pilar who usually did her duties while chatting with Marta. Todd realized then, that he was going to have to pay Pilar himself. He made good money, and with the house and car payments, things were not tight, but were a bit snug. After a few more weeks, much to Todd's relief, Jessica finally felt she had lost all of her baby weight, was satisfied with how she looked in a bikini and returned to her job.
