ARRIVAL
She'd be home soon.
I wanted to get everything cleaned up. I wanted everything neat and organized for her arrival. Dishes to wash, crumbs to get out of the couch, and countertops to clear up: everything was a bit of a mess.
The idea of her finding the house, her house, in this state would have caused me a panic attack. That is, had it not been for the baby's needs.
He had been crying all day without letting up--his ear infections.
The only thing that seemed to comfort him was the suckling. And even though I didn't produce his milk, he found comfort in suckling.
I'd let him.
It happened more often than necessary. And then she caught on. But it was alright she said. It would help him feel attached to me she said. And it did, it felt as if I was more than his nanny.
He was hers, and he was mine. And I loved that.
My nipples had gotten tougher and longer. My perfect little nubs went from tiny, rosy pink to thicker orbs in a dark brownish color. I didn't love it, but she did. It was alright.
Baby finally slept about an hour before she'd arrive. I flew through the house, rushing to tidy up. Everything was almost done when her footsteps shuffled outside and her keys jiggled at the door.
"Oh, hey!" She said, nonchalantly, the expected grander gesture did not appear. I always expected more.
"Hey." I said.
"The house looks a bit messy, and look at you. You need a good bath." Was her next, rather dismaying reaction.
Admittedly, the whole house wasn't in order, but it wasn't so bad. I, however, was rather frumpy looking. All I had on were old shorts and a shirt. No bra of course, since I hardly had anything to hold up, just a set of large protruding nipples. The fantasy of easier access always crossing my mind, except in instances like this where her words made me feel so small.
"Oh, I can see the baby has kept you busy today." She stared straight at my nipples as they stuck out thickly under the thin material of my shirt.
My face flushed. I hadn't been on top of everything. There was a lot I could have done better, organized baby time better. And I felt awkward that my nipples protruded so much. I felt awkward at how well she was dressed and how frumpy I always was when she came home.
"That's fine." She winked at me, holding up a large brown bag. "Mommy's home." She came to me and hugged me, kissed the top of my head and caressed my back. "I've got something here for you." She broke off.
She was curt and hurried, not as sweet and lovely as I always wished she would be. I could tell work had not gone well, or at least was quite hectic. Mother was a bank manager at a local bank with few branches. Work was always tough.
Mother always wore business clothing: a pantsuit, or skirt and jacket.
It's what I loved to see on her. The way everything seemed to fit perfectly. I always marveled at her blouses, loose silky things that only just outlined her breasts and tucked comfortably into her bottoms. I absentmindedly stared in her direction, she took no notice.
"Take it to your room." She left the brown bag at the table by the stairs.
"Work went okay?" I asked, meekly.