I Almost Hurt Arthur—Until That Afternoon's Security Footage Told Me Otherwise.-2
An Invisible Wall
Marianne knelt on the living room rug, charming Arthur with a red-and-blue rattle. His eyes tracked its movement. "Look here," she murmured, softer than usual, a smile playing on her lips. I sat three meters away on the sofa, The Science of Parenting open on page 47 about infant vision. I’d stared at it ten minutes.
Glancing up, I saw Marianne gently squeeze Arthur’s foot. He giggled, kicking his legs. My chest tightened. "Arthur," I called, voice strained. "Look at Mama." Marianne kept shaking the rattle. Clickety-clack. She didn’t look up. His gaze locked on the toy. Shutting the book, I rose, walked straight to the bedroom, softly closing the door on the laughter.
Toby's Weariness
Toby arrived. He went straight to the crib, bending low, fingers lingering near Arthur’s cheek. "How was your day?" Gentle. "Fine," I replied. Hangers clinked as he hung his coat. He sat beside me on the bed. "Marianne’s been a big help, right?" "Mm-hmm." Seconds passed.
His cool hand touched my shoulder. "She’s just worried you’re exhausted." I sat bolt upright. "She’s worried about the *baby*," I hissed, voice rising then falling. "She thinks I’m incompetent. Nothing I do is right here." Toby withdrew his hand. Silent, he inhaled slowly. I lay back, turning away. He didn’t touch me. Didn’t speak. I lay awake, listening to his breathing until he turned over long after.
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Marianne knelt on the living room rug, charming Arthur with a red-and-blue rattle. His eyes tracked its movement. "Look here," she murmured, softer than usual, a smile playing on her lips. I sat three meters away on the sofa, The Science of Parenting open on page 47 about infant vision. I’d stared at it ten minutes.
Glancing up, I saw Marianne gently squeeze Arthur’s foot. He giggled, kicking his legs. My chest tightened. "Arthur," I called, voice strained. "Look at Mama." Marianne kept shaking the rattle. Clickety-clack. She didn’t look up. His gaze locked on the toy. Shutting the book, I rose, walked straight to the bedroom, softly closing the door on the laughter.
Toby's Weariness
Toby arrived. He went straight to the crib, bending low, fingers lingering near Arthur’s cheek. "How was your day?" Gentle. "Fine," I replied. Hangers clinked as he hung his coat. He sat beside me on the bed. "Marianne’s been a big help, right?" "Mm-hmm." Seconds passed.
His cool hand touched my shoulder. "She’s just worried you’re exhausted." I sat bolt upright. "She’s worried about the *baby*," I hissed, voice rising then falling. "She thinks I’m incompetent. Nothing I do is right here." Toby withdrew his hand. Silent, he inhaled slowly. I lay back, turning away. He didn’t touch me. Didn’t speak. I lay awake, listening to his breathing until he turned over long after.
NEXT >>