I was in tears for the third time today while caring for my toddler and my two-month-old. Home alone on maternity leave was overwhelming me lately.
My husband simply wasn't present, even when he was. To be fair, he worked a job where we traveled at least a week a month, but on top of that when he was home, he wanted to "relax" instead of help.
It was time for reinforcements.
Luckily for me, my mom agreed to come down for a couple of weeks - the problem was she had to tie up some things at home and would not be here until the weekend.
Knowing help was coming was a bit of relief but I need more.
As I was trying to rally, having just got the boys down for a nap, my laptop pinged with an instant message, "Hi, friend, how is maternity leave? Need anything?"
As if he could read my mind, the message was from Greyson, my close work colleague. And from where I sat, was the sweetest guy on the planet.
Since the boys were sleeping, and I wasn't, I decided I had time to reply, "It's harder than I thought it would be having two at home. Honestly, I wish there was a way you could help."
As I sent the message, I got a pang of guilt because deep down a part of me was hoping he'd drop everything and come to my aid.
Greyson was quick with a reply, "How about if I drop lunch off for you tomorrow? Would that be okay?"
It was such a cute and kind reply. But I still hesitated.
Greyson and I had been friends and colleagues for 10 years. He was around a fair amount between work and friend gatherings. And while our relationship was entirely platonic, I'd been craving more attention lately. And if I was honest with myself, from time to time, I thought about Greyson in more ways than a friend should.
My husband was the ruggedly handsome type but also highly aloof. Greyson, on the other hand, was cute and attentive. He had floppy, sandy blonde hair, pretty eyes, and a playful style. But more than anything it was his positive attentive attitude that won me over. Any time we talked it seemed like I was the only person in the world. The complete opposite of my husband lately.