His Sugar Baby(55)
Chloe said hurriedly, “This is a nice place, too.” She played with the stuffed bear’s arms, clapping the paws together. “You made my room look pretty, Mommy.”
Cathy smiled, replying softly, “It looks even prettier now that you’re in it.” She was rewarded with another of Chloe’s wide grins and a giggle. Cathy picked up a couple more hats to place them on the shelf.
“Mommy, do you have a boyfriend?”
“What?” Cathy turned completely around, a skull cap dangling from her fingers.
Her daughter’s innocent brown eyes held a serious expression. “I heard Aunt Vicky.”
Cathy carefully placed the skull cap on the shelf, giving herself a moment to gather herself. She couldn’t possibly explain her relationship to her daughter. Not only wouldn’t Chloe understand, but she never wanted her to know. She finally turned and went over to sit on the bed, folding her legs under her. She looked down into her daughter’s solemn face. “I’ve been seeing someone. Is that okay?”
Chloe shrugged. “It’s okay. Some of the other kids’ parents are divorced. A lot of them have a boyfriend or girlfriend.”
She anxiously searched her daughter’s face for any sign of upset. “You really don’t mind?”
“I think it’s good you got a boyfriend,” Chloe said solemnly. “Now you won’t be lonely anymore.”
Cathy gave a small, choked laugh. She leaned forward to hug her daughter tightly. “How can I be lonely when I’ve got you?”
“But I’m not here all the time,” Chloe pointed out with irrefutable logic.
Cathy laughed, giving her daughter another squeeze before she straightened. “Well, you’re here now.”
“You can still have a boyfriend. Aunt Vicky can babysit me. I don’t care. It’d be okay.”
“Oh, Chloe.” Cathy shook her head helplessly. Her daughter’s generosity of heart and her oddly adult attitude was doing a number on her own heartstrings.
Chloe bounced a little, grinning widely. “I think it’s cool you have a boyfriend, just like everyone else! You can even marry him! Then I’d have a new daddy.” She seemed pleased with her pronouncement.
Cathy almost flinched. If only it was true. If only she was like everyone else. But she wasn’t. It wouldn’t do to let Chloe see her distress. She forced a smile. “Okay, that’s enough plotting, young lady. It’s about time that you went to sleep. You’ve had an exciting day and need to rest.”
The little girl obediently allowed herself to be put under the covers. She reached out to tug on the wide gold bracelet that circled her mother’s wrist. Cathy was startled. She had forgotten it was there. “Did your boyfriend give it to you?”
Cathy bit her lip. “Yes, yes, he did.”
Chloe twirled the bangle, watching it gleam in the light. “It’s pretty. He must be nice. What’s his name? I didn’t hear Aunt Vicky real good.”
“His—his name is Michael. Now, that’s enough questions,” said Cathy firmly.
Chloe glanced up with a surprisingly knowing gleam in her brown eyes. “Is he cute?”
“Chloe!” Cathy couldn’t help laughing. “Just how old are you, anyway? Is he cute! Yes, he is! Now take your nap.” Cathy kissed her daughter’s forehead.
Giggling, Chloe snuggled into the pillows. “’Night, Mommy.”
Cathy smiled down at her tenderly. “’Night, baby.” She turned off the light, leaving only a nightlight on in the bedroom. She stepped out and closed the door, only part way so that it would be easy to hear if Chloe called her.
Her smile fell away as she walked into the small living room. She pressed her hands against her stomach as she bent at the waist. Her hair swung forward, brushing her shoulders. A boyfriend like everyone else! She thought she was going to be sick. Chloe. Pammy. Vicky. The list of people that she was lying to kept getting longer.
It wasn’t easy to line up a list of sitters for Chloe. Cathy felt that she simply could not leave her with the typical teen babysitter. Chloe was a special-needs child. She needed someone with her at all times who would know what to do if there was ever an emergency.
Cathy was indebted to her friend, Barbara Beasely, who was able to supply a few names of professional nurses that she said could be trusted, and for a while, it seemed to be working out.
The transfer of her work to her home was surprisingly smooth. She was able to accomplish nearly everything from her computer or over the phone. There were days, however, that she did have to go in to the office for short periods of time. On those days, she was usually able to secure the services of a home nurse. However, arranging for a sitter for Chloe for the late evenings, evenings she was supposed to spend with Michael, was more challenging. The acrobatics in organization that it demanded was frustrating. It was difficult, if not impossible, for her to stay overnight with him. She was aware that his patience was wearing thin with her excuses.
Cathy had known it would not be easy, but she hadn’t realized that actually coordinating time with Michael would be even more difficult than she had expected. She couldn’t rely on Vicky or on any of her other friends every time that she was unable to get a home nurse, especially those times when Michael called her at the last minute.