Untitled, Part 1

I couldn't sleep last night, so I tried writing to make myself sleepy. This is what I wrote. I hope you like it. If not, don't tell me!

Ouch! She spun around too fast, caught her hip on the corner of the counter and could already feel the bruise forming. That’s what I get for rushing, she scolded herself. And rushing for what? Her appointment was important, but she was already ahead of schedule. Risking injury was pure silliness. She stopped, took a deep breath and winked at her sweet little girl sitting in the high chair across the room. Baby Sarah’s giggles bubbled through the room as she tried in vain to wink back at her mommy. Soon, mommy Erin was giggling, too. She picked up her cup of tea, sashayed to the dinette and planted a kiss on the forehead of her little angel while she plopped into the seat next to her. Yes, she had a big morning ahead of her, but for now it was just mommy and Sarah sharing dry cereal from the high chair tray.

As soon as the sitter arrived, Erin would be on her way. The nervous tension electrified the room as Erin went over the mental checklist of questions she expected to be asked during this interview. It had been so long since she worked outside the home Erin was a bit concerned about presenting herself in a professional manner. Sure, she had the qualifications for the job, but if she slipped up and tried to straighten the interviewer’s collar or pushed their hair away from their face out of habit, she was a goner. She took a deep breath and practiced her relaxed posture and body language.

The ring of the doorbell awakened her nerves once again. Esther had arrived to watch the baby. Erin opened the door and received an immediate mama-bear-sized hug from one of her favorite people in the world, filling her with peace once again. Sarah took one look at Esther and squealed with delight. She was so lucky to have Esther in her life. A woman with experience raising children who also had the time and desire to help someone else care for their child was a rare find, indeed. When they first met during choir practice at church, Esther and Erin had an immediate connection. After sharing choral music side-by-side for a few weeks, Esther confided in Erin how much she missed holding babies now that her little ones were grown and gone. Erin invited Esther to spoil her precious Sarah whenever she wanted. Soon Sarah began looking for Esther as soon as they entered the church parking lot. Before long Esther was coming for dinner regularly and keeping an eye on Sarah one night a week so Erin could have a night out. They had become a family of sorts.

Raising a child alone is no picnic. That was never part of Erin’s plans when she envisioned their lives together. They loved each other through good times and bad. They took their vows seriously and were committed to each other for life. If it hadn’t been for that one careless moment, Jack would still be here. She missed him so much and could become mired in guilt when she thought about that night if she let herself. She shook herself out of her trance and made the firm decision to move ahead. Besides, Jack had given her the gift of Sarah. She was his legacy. The ache in her heart was somehow easier to bear when she looked into those sweet hazel eyes, just like her father’s.

Now she was behind schedule. Erin grabbed her purse and portfolio, hugged Esther, kissed her baby and dashed out the door. She was on her way to interview for the job that just might bring the stable future she wanted for Sarah. At the last minute she remembered to put on her jacket. Her short sleeved blouse would not be enough. The warm spring weather might not warrant it, but she would rather get through the next couple of hours without having to explain her scars for what seemed like the hundredth time.

to be continued...........maybe.........