Baby Love(14)

our neighborhood to hers and started across the street, a car careened out of nowhere hitting her.

Jean had rolled off of the hood of the car onto the street. The car had fled and no one had been around close enough to get the license plate numbers. The car was simply described as a newer model SUV of some type. The color was white. Not much to go on for certain.

I asked Cathy the extent of Jean's injuries. All that she knew for sure was that Jean had a broken shoulder, a broken leg, several broken ribs and a head injury, which had rendered her comatose for the time being. Cathy said that the doctors had hope that the swelling would go down in the next week or so.

I asked that Cathy keep me posted as to her mother's condition and I got her room number at the hospital. I was reeling with shock. How could something that terrible happen to someone so sweet like Jean? What kind of monster would simply drive off?

The truth was that since I had been home after the arrival of Preston, I had really come to depend on Jean's help with the baby those three days per week she was scheduled. The things that came up with the new house, as well as handling the bills, shopping and running errands for Trey had been made possible because Jean was more than willing to watch Preston on the days that she was scheduled at our apartment.

Aside from that, I intended to return to school or work at some point and I had considered seeing if Jean would be willing to go full-time once that happened. I couldn't think of anyone else that I would trust with Preston other than Jean or family.

My thoughts were interrupted when I heard Preston start to fuss. I looked down and she had thoroughly pooped in the diaper I had not yet pinned. I cleaned her up and re-applied calamine lotion to her rash area, putting a clean cloth diaper on her. I finished dressing her for Gina's visit. I put her in a cute little yellow sun suit.

I lifted my freshly diapered and dressed baby from the changing table and cuddled her against me.

I was rattled from the news about Jean. Preston had taken well to Jean. She had been a big help to me in many ways.

I headed to the living room, baby in arms. We settled on the couch as I turned the television on with the remote. She nestled against me, rooting for my breast. I absently pulled my shirt open, and undid my nursing bra to allow her access. Once she latched onto my nipple and began her gentle sucking, it allowed my thoughts to once again drift back to Jean.

There was something very unsettling about the whole incident. I realized that things like that happened every day, particularly in large cities but this just seemed so random and yet close. Jean was practically family as far as Trey and I were concerned.

Preston continued to nurse lazily. She was staring up at me with her big blue eyes. I traced her chin dimple with my finger, causing her to release my nipple and give me a big grin as milk dribbled down from her mouth. I nuzzled my face against hers. Once finished she drifted off to sleep. I placed her into the crib in her bedroom and decided to phone Trey to let him know about Jean.

I talked to Tonya; Trey was in depositions. She promised she would have him phone home as soon as he was free. I went to the kitchen and started making chicken salad for our lunch. I had been tempted to call Gina and re-schedule but decided I needed the company of a friend right now.

Right after I had finished making the chicken salad and had just put the croissants into the oven to warm, Trey phoned me back. His voice had the uncanny ability to soothe and calm me.

"How's my baby?" he greeted me when I answered the phone.

"Oh, she's down for the count at the moment. I expect she will be waking up any time now."

"I meant you, baby," he said in his smooth and silky voice. My heart fluttered.

"Not so well," I admitted. "Trey, I had a phone call earlier from Jean's daughter Cathy. Jean was hit by a hit-and-run driver last evening as she crossed her street from the bus stop. She is in intensive care."

"Oh God, that's horrible," he replied, "How bad is she?"

I relayed to him everything that Cathy had relayed to me. Trey said he would phone the hospital and the police precinct to see if any new information had come in. He instructed me to relax and stay calm. He asked if Gina was still coming over. He seemed to relax when I told him the plans for lunch were still on. I could tell Trey knew I was stressed about the thing with Jean.

"I will be home on time this evening, baby," he assured me. "We'll talk more then, okay?"

"Okay Trey," I replied.

"Hey, I love you," he said softly.

"I love you too,” I replied.

"Give 'Bobbin' a kiss from daddy, okay?"

"I will," I said, smiling.

Right after I had gotten off of the phone with Trey, the doorman buzzed letting me know that Gina was on her way up. I opened the door to Gina. She was dressed in shorts and a tank top; she had her sunglasses on inside of the building. I could tell she was upset about something. She didn't hide her emotions well.

"What is it Gina?"

"I caught Ian f*cking around on me," she said unable to hold the tears back.

"I am going to kill him and the bitch!"

"Oh my God, Gina - what the hell are you talking about?"

I grabbed her hand pulling her over to sit down. I had never seen Gina distraught about anything. The fact that Ian would cheat on her was unfathomable to me. He seemed so totally devoted to her. The same way that Trey was devoted to me.