Chapter 26

Lilly

A maelstrom of people and packages burst through the front door, and I sat back holding Jinx and watched Mrs. Polk, efficient as a military general. She stood in her heels inside the foyer, pointing and issuing orders. “Now take your shoes off before ye go in there. I don’t want to be cleaning carpets with a tiny babe asleep!” she shrilled, and the men were obviously intimidated as I saw a cascade of shoes tumbling down behind them.

She took a moment out to check on us. “Are ye hungry?” she asked.

I nodded. “A little.”

She turned on her heels, shouted a few more orders to keep them busy, and then headed for the kitchen where the sound of pots and pans began clattering. I started to get up to help her, but Bolt pulled me back. “She’s in her glory, let her go,” he said.

Mrs. Polk appeared shortly with a large tray and set it on the sofa table. She gave Bolt a stern look and said, “I think you can get up and serve the two of you, can’t you?”

“Yes, ma’am,” he answered obediently and winked at me as Mrs. Polk marched upstairs to whip the troops into shape.

Bolt brought a plate and glass of milk, and we laid the baby between us on the sofa. There was a wonderfully grilled corned beef and swiss sandwich on rich rye bread, pickles, and a handful of chips. I was starved and didn’t hesitate to start.

Just then, Jinx woke up and sent up a howl. Bolt shook his head. “Here, let me walk him. You eat.” He picked up the tiny bundle, so small against his huge, manly chest, and did his version of patting him on the back as he paced the room. In the background, I could hear Mrs. Polk giving someone hell, but I stayed where I was, contentedly munching on my sandwich.

When I was done, I held out my arms for Jinx, and Bolt sat down and ate his meal. It was such a warm, family-like atmosphere, I could have stayed there forever. My cell buzzed.

“Well? Are you done?” It was Natalie.

“Done?”

“Having the baby.”

“My goodness, yes. He was born, his name is Jinx, and we’re staying with Bolt for the time being.”

“The kid OK?”

The kid? “Yes, Jinx is fine and healthy, and I’m fine, too,” I added, in case she wondered.

“OK. Kenny asked me to check. Talk to you later. Have fun.” She hung up. I decided in that moment that my sister was devoid of human empathy. No doubt it was her long association with alcohol and narcotics that had deadened her soul. I couldn’t understand what Kenny saw in her, but maybe he was one of those men who loved to fix women’s problems. He was welcome to hers. I considered him the babysitter I should have hired long before.

“You don’t look too happy.” Bolt was wiping his hands and setting his plate down on the coffee table. His hand went to my thigh, and his fingers ran up and down the inside of my leg. I jerked a little, uncomfortable at his coming so close to me there. I was newly a mother, and there were some things that weren’t ready to be fondled or even touched. He recognized it and pulled his hand back sharply.

“Sorry,” he muttered.

I nodded and said, “My sister. By blood only, I can assure you. Why do you suppose Kenny puts up with her? He seems like a really nice guy.”

“He is a nice guy, and I leave his private life alone, as he does mine.”

“It’s not a bad strategy,” I commented. “Maybe Natalie and I would be in a better place now if we’d done a little more of that earlier.”

An army of socked feet descended into the foyer, and Mrs. Polk’s voice could be heard ushering them out of the way. She appeared in the doorway to the family room. “Well? Come and have a look, and let’s give that baby a bath and a decent bed to sleep in.”

I was excited. I’d had a few things at the apartment, but nowhere near the budget that Bolt was making available. I felt a little guilty taking advantage of that, but then he was Jinx’s father, whether he knew it or not. That part made me feel guilty, too. I had to see how Bolt behaved, as well as that father of his, before I made him a gift of a son.

We followed Mrs. Polk, and she led us into the smaller bedroom next to the master. I don’t know how she accomplished it, but it was gorgeous. Its bed and dresser had been moved out, and in their place stood a complete nursery. A crib in pinstripe blue and white, changing table, bassinet, dresser, small single bed, rocking chair, and all sorts of eye-catching stuffed animals and toys decorated the space. Everything was in a soft powder blue and white. She stepped to the side and revealed a lineup of a stroller and a swing for when he was able to support his little head. She opened the dresser drawers to stacks of baby clothes. The closet revealed even more, and the changing table shelves beneath held bottles of lotions, creams, cleansing wipes, and tiny diapers. It was adorable, and I was so grateful.

I was struck by the difference in what Bolt could provide and what I could provide alone. Did I have the right to deny my son the benefits his father could give him?

Mrs. Polk helped me, and we put the baby down to sleep. I knew he would be up off and on through the night and asked if we could bring the bassinet into the bedroom by me for the time being. “It would be so much easier on me if I can just feed him without having to leave the room.” It was no sooner out of my mouth than Bolt was wheeling the bassinet, and Mrs. Polk was following with an armload of diapers and clean nighties behind. I felt like a queen. Jinx was already asleep in his crib, so I’d move him the first time he awakened.

Mrs. Polk looked around, satisfied, and clapped her hands. “That was fun!” she remarked and pulled a credit card out of her pocket and handed it to Bolt. He, in turn, handed it to me.

“In case you think of something else you want or need. You probably could use some things for yourself?”

My refusal was on my lips, but I gave it a second thought and accepted it. I told myself I’d pay him back.

“Listen, I’m full, and the baby is sleeping. Bolt, thank you for all this, and Mrs. Polk, thank you for the work you pulled off in getting this all done so quickly. I’d like a hot shower and some sleep. I know I’ll be up through the night.”

They both nodded and disappeared, leaving me to the luscious shower and one of my stretched-out nightshirts I’d brought. I slid beneath the satin spread on Bolt’s king-sized bed.

My alarm went off, and oddly enough it sounded just like a baby crying. It had begun…and I loved it.

Jinx had been moved into the bassinet next to my bed. I guess I could have slept in the twin bed in his room, but I liked the additional real estate of the master bed. About four in the morning, he started squalling again, and I dragged myself from sleep to find Bolt sitting on the end of my bed, changing the baby’s diaper. He wrapped him in a receiving blanket and crawled in next to me, handing me Jinx to feed. I was only half awake, and having his strong presence next to me was supportive and comforting. When Jinx finished, I laid him back in the bassinet and looked over to see Bolt, sound asleep on the other pillow. I leaned over and kissed him on the forehead and cheek and rolled back over to finish out the night.