Mike unlocked the door to his apartment, stumbled inside, and switched on a light. He juggled the baby, diaper bag, and cell phone over to the couch. He was about to toss everything in a chair when he caught himself. He laid the baby carrier gently down on the couch and took Helga in his arms. He looked over her carefully, sighed, and dialed Carolyn's number. C'mon, pick up!
"Hello."
"Barek, I need your help."
"Not again! I haven't gotten any sleep and it's not even my baby!" She groaned. "What now?"
"Just tell how to fix her formula so I can feed her," he said as he took the formula mix out of the cabinet.
"I told you already."
"I forgot."
An exasperated sigh was heard at the other end. It will be a miracle if this child survives. She walked him through each step.
"Now be sure to test it on your arm before you give it to her," Carolyn warned.
"Psh, what do you think I am? An idiot?"
There was complete silence. "Anyways, I'm checking it now." He squirted a small amount onto his wrist. "OUCH! Jeez, that's hot!"
"Then, let it cool down. You don't have to boil it," Barek told him as she made herself a ham and cheese sandwich. She was so used to his calls by now, she could help him in her sleep.
"I'm going to have burn scars all over me," Mike lamented. "This is seriously going to affect my dating."
Barek chuckled, "That's the least of your problems."
Logan chose to ignore her last remark. "I gotta go. Thanks."
"No problem," Barek grinned as she hung up. She started to walk into the living room with her sandwich and bottled water and stopped. She turned back and grabbed the phone. No doubt he would be calling again.
As she figured, the phone rang about thirty minutes later. She picked up the receiver to hear a distraught voice. "Carolyn, something is wrong with Helga. She's making a gurgling sound and is making a funny face."
Barek hit the mute button on her TV. "What do you mean, a gurgling sound?"
"Just what I said - a gurgling sound!" he ranted. "I've been feeding her for the past thirty minutes and ..."
"Wait a minute," Barek interrupted, "thirty minutes? You've been feeding her for thirty minutes straight?"
"Yes, thirty minutes!" Logan repeated defensively. "She's quite the eater – takes after my side of the family."
"Did you burp her?"
"Burp her? Why would I do that?" Mike wondered.
"You have to burp her or air builds up in their tummy, which can be uncomfortable; that would cause her to be cranky," Barek explained so Mike could understand. "Do it now."
Mike looked down at the squirming child. "How?"
"You put her over your shoulder and gently pat her on the back until she burps," Barek told him as she slipped into bed.
Mike picked her up and looked her in the face. "OK, but I don't see what good it will do..."
Suddenly, the gurgling stopped. Helga opened her mouth and a spew of vomit drenched Logan's face and the whole front of his shirt. It dripped onto his pants and the floor. Oh, now I see why it's important. Barek doesn't have to know this happened.
He wiped Helga off with a towel, set her back in her crib, and reached for the phone. Laughter was heard before he even put the phone to his ear. "Too late, wasn't it?" She kept laughing.
"Yeah, too late. The girl in the Exorcist has nothing on this kid. She can project puke across the street and hit Ned the Wino!" he noted as he wiped vomit off of his shirt.
"I'm sure you're very proud." Barek let out a yawn. "Next time, burp her after every three to four ounces. Don't forget."
"Believe me, I won't forget. Thanks again." Mike sounded truly grateful.
"No problem. That's why I'm here." They both hung up. Barek laid back in her bed, pulled the covers up to her chin, and reached over and turned out the light. With any luck, she might get a couple of hours of sleep. Mike headed for the shower. But, before leaving, he made one last check on Helga. She was sleeping peacefully in her crib. A faint smile spread across her face. He moved the covers farther on her and crept out of the room.
Hope you enjoy! Next chapter will be posted on Sunday.