7: We Can Do This (On Our Way, Chapter 4 - Make-Up Is Hard to Do)
Nibbling on a baby carrot, I waited for the video call icon to pop up. My thoughts drifted to Stewart Cooper, a brilliant second grader, who was having issues interacting with his classmates. Like many gifted kids, he related much more readily with adults than he did with his peers, so we'd have to work on developing common interests for him to talk about with them...hmmm...he adored Legos and so did several other boys in his class. Maybe we could start a Lego club open to any...
"Hi, sweetie!" My adorable husband's greeting and broad smile brought me back to my daily lunchtime skype date with my boys.
"Hey, Dare," I replied. "How was your morning? Anything interesting happen?"
"Hold on a sec, I'll let the star of today's show tell you himself." Darren lifted Harry to sit on his lap and adjusted the camera so I could see both of them.
"Ready, Rhi?"
"Lay it on me, love."
I furrowed my brow in confusion as Darren removed one of our son's socks. Then he started to run his fingers lightly along the sole of Harry's foot, and...
"Hee hee hee..."
"Oh my god, Dare...he's...LAUGHING! Do it again!"
My husband chuckled and tickled Harry one more time. Of course, Harry smiled and let out another tiny, "Hee hee hee hee..."
"How did you...Darren...our baby...can laugh...oh my..." I couldn't continue around the lump in my throat.
"Rhiannon, honey, are you okay?"
I nodded stiffly, wiping my eyes as I managed to reply, "I'm...fine...perfect...Dare...tell me everything."
Harry wrapped his fingers around Darren's thumbs and stared at me as his father explained, "This morning when I was changing him, I must have brushed his foot when I was putting his playsuit back on, and he...giggled! Startled the heck out of me! At first, I couldn't figure out what had happened, but he kept looking at me like he was saying, 'Do it again, Daddy!' So, I just repeated what I done, and he giggled again. And again. And again. He's probably exhausted because I can't resist doing it," Darren finished with another smile.
Sniffling, I nodded in understanding. My phone alarm made us both look at our computer clocks.
"I have to...hang up...Dare," I choked out. It was moments like this when I struggled with my decision to continue working. I had missed our baby's first laugh! I was a horrible mother! I shouldn't be allowed...
"Rhiannon. I know what you're thinking, and you know that you're wrong. You could have just as easily been at the store. Please tell me you're okay before you hang up." My husband paused before adding, "If it's too hard, maybe we shouldn't make these calls..."
"NO! Dare, I'm fine, really. And I know you're right. Sometimes, I just can't help thinking..."
"Thinking gets you into trouble, Rhi," Darren joked, trying to cheer me up.
I kissed my fingers and put them up to the screen. "I love you guys so much."
Darren did the same with Harry's chubby hand, answering, "We love you more, Mommy. We'll see you in a few hours."
Smiling tearfully, I nodded and waved before I clicked off. Gazing at the picture of Darren holding Harry on my desktop screen, I whispered, "You can do this, Rhiannon. WE can do this."