15 Days Till Day Care
We arrive at 7 a.m., starving. Their note says, Help Yourself. We finish an open bag of pistachios. Baby wakes, crying while frozen breast milk thaws. We do 10 hours holding, changing, and feeding, punctuated by laundry, zoo, and library story-time. Monster stroller costs $700. Baby never naps. Stepdaughter and husband arrive late. Our backs hurt. The train is packed. At 8 p.m., in our PJs, we read their text. Dinner recipe pistachios missing! He hears me thinking, only 14 more days. I hear him thinking, we canceled Paris. We raise a glass. To the newest member of our blended family.
Photo Credit: Nathan Walls
I love the pistachio loop! This is so well crafted. I minding my three grandchildren tomorrow.. I can feel a trickle of hot swat run down my neck just thinking about the buggy!!
Liked this. Neat story. I feel for them.
I love it. Their frustration is tangible. Well done!
Many thanks for reading, Julie!
Love this. The strain of compromise explored beautifully.
Glad to hear that came across; thanks, Elaine!
such a great story i love this
Thanks, glad it resonated!
I love the accuracy of “I hear him thinking”, increasing the tension between intertwined, diverging lives
thanks, Bob. hope to see you on either side of the pond.
Precise and imaginative use of language. Mood, sense of place and narrative expertly conveyed in 100 words. We’ll done!
Much appreciated, Marta. Thank you!
Hugs of gratitude to Lynn Mundell and Grant Faulkner for selecting my story and to photo editor Beret Olsen for the image!
Love how you so completely capture the essence of family gatherings.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Caroline!