Dear Dr. Jo,
I looked in the mirror, just as I had so many times over the last few months. What was different? My extra weight, my pale white skin, the stretch marks that permeated my lower regions.
Before I go further, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Mandy, and this is one of the stranger things you have probably heard, although I imagine you get your fair share of unusual happenings.
I recently had a child, Jazmine. Allow me to rephrase, my boyfriend Ken and I recently had a daughter. Only it feels like just me, because of Ken's constant work and lack of interest in our child. Or maybe that is the way I perceive the situation. Ken claims to be too tired and stressed, when I voice my complaints. Which I don't do anymore.
The problem is, we are both 22 years old, and this child, our lovely daughter, was not planned. We began dating after meeting in a coed softball league, and because of some bad timing and luck, I happened to get pregnant. Ken mentioned we had *options*, but abortion was out of the question for me.
That meant Ken had to quit his dreams of becoming a dental assistant, and has to work long hours at a buffet restauran. The work is hard, and his manager is a crotchety old man. I was an office assistant, but had to quit at 6 months and now I have to take care of Jazmine for a while.
Our parents would love to help, but we both have older siblings in college, so money is not too readily available. We do the best to get by, but the stress of a baby, long work hours for Ken, and new motherhood for me, has caused a strain on our relationship.
Jazmine is four months old now, and to be perfectly honest, we have not had sex since. The doctor said we had to wait six weeks, but that was two and a half months ago! I brought it up once, but Ken dismissed it, saying he has been real tired lately and we are so busy with the baby.
I don't believe he finds me attractive anymore. I have always been a tall, large girl, but my pregnancy has left me, well, fat. My mom says not to worry, but the extra weight and stretch marks don't go well...not to mention the drooping breasts from feeding, and my pale skin since we don't make it out in the sun much. So there I was-
I looked in the mirror, just as I had so many times over the last few months. What was different? My extra weight, my alabaster skin, the stretch marks that permeated my lower regions.
The sound of the doorbell shocked me out of my stupor. I wasn't expecting anyone, and it was 10 am, an unusual opportunity to sleep in, given Jazmine's usual early morning wake up cries. I only had time to throw on a small silk robe my mother bought me for me birthday.
"Who is it?"
"Hey Mandy, its Brian Bruno" the voice responded.
I couldn't believe it. This guy, this man, Brian Bruno; was on Ken's softball team. He was a bit older than us, about 25, and has his own insurance business. Before I dated Ken, Brian and I got matched up in this silly game of spin the bottle. About twelve of us from two different teams ended up playing during a night of drinking. It was over two years ago, but I still remember the way his lips felt. Ken and I became an item a few weeks later, but I always found myself feeling funny around Brian, and watching just a bit more intently when he was up to bat. Now he was at my door.
"Come in" I said, opening the door.
"Hey there Mandy" he said, offering his hand.
I welcomed him, and tried to hold my robe together while offering him a handshake.
"Ken told me to come by to see the baby, is he here?"
"No, I'm afraid they have him on for several hours today...they work him too much"
"Is he still at the restaurant?" Brian asked.
"Yea, but hopefully I can go back to work soon, and he can work less hours."
"I've been meaning to come back for a while now, just been busy with all those hail damage claims"
We made small talk and I invited Ken to come to look at Jazmine, since her crib was right there in the living room. He accepted, and spoke of how beautiful she was. He said Ken and I were lucky to have a family.
"Easy for you to say, you live the life of a a bachelor" I joked.
"But I'd rather have this" he responded.
"Well, Brian and I don't have a moment to catch our breath. It really is a life change"
"Well I come from a big family, it wouldn't bother me at all" Brian said.
Just then, Jazmine began to cry.
"Someone must be wet, or something else....." Brian said and we both laughed.
"Yea, she's pretty good at that!"