Esme Chapter 12 free porn video

Esme Chapter 12 (The Final) One year later "We haven't gotten the final approval from the state yet, but the social worker says it's really a formality at this point," Esme said into the computer, while balancing George in the crook of her arm. He was starting to get head and neck control for which she and Jay were grateful. From what she had read, it made feedings that much easier. Saanvi laughed. "Gotten? You need to come here more often. You're sounding more and more American." Esme smiled. "What I sound is sleep deprived, you cow. Is that sufficiently British for you, petal?" Saanvi smiled. "It's not guv'nor, but it'll do." Then she paused. "Nick told me you invited them." Nick, Saanvi and Cassie were coming in a week's time to see them and the baby, although Nick had made it clear 'not in that order.' Esme said, "Sorry, I meant to discuss it with you." Saanvi looked at her, confused. "Why on earth would you need to discuss it with me?" "I just thought that, well, they'd be traveling with you...." "Oh, please," she said, sounding somewhat annoyed, "I see them all the time and we dragged them to Brittany last summer. I'll be fine. Will you?" Esme had fought calling them throughout the pregnancy, forever coming up with excuses. First, she was doing as much freelance as she could, so that, 'we had the money we'll need when I'm on leave. It's only half pay here and only for three months.' Then, 'we're headed to Pennsylvania for the birth,' and then, 'Georgie's barely sleeping. It makes no sense to call when I'm not focused.' He had begun sleeping through the night about two weeks ago, which Margaret told her, laughing, 'you should be grateful for. I know you don't believe but go light a candle for this. Someone is looking out for you. George's father didn't sleep through the night until he was seven months old.' Once George started sleeping through the night, she had no excuses. "I told you already. I'll be fine." "Well, you certainly didn't need to pay for them. Bloody hell, you've got a newborn and they own their place outright. And you'll see, it's not like they spend anything. Your brother thinks you're daft." "Well, that's not exactly new, is it? You're right, he's right, but it's...complicated." Saanvi smiled. "I understand. I have to say Cassie is very excited to see New York. And her aunt. And her cousin." "In that order? I'm so glad she's excited. I spoke to my friend Jess. She has a sixteen year old niece, so she was telling me all of the cool places to go..." "Calm down, Esme. I'd think, after three months, you'd have learned not to make any plans...." "I, we, will be fine, Saanvi. Jay already said that, if we want to go somewhere, just us, he'll babysit." Saanvi gave a sharp laugh. "Babysitting? He really called it that, the arse?" Esme laughed, and thought about how she seemed to be the one getting up at night. Which made sense since he worked and she didn't, so it was only fair. But, he could, she supposed, since it's not like she was breastfeeding or anything. A fact that some of the other mums in the neighborhood noted. 'Oh,' they'd say, 'you're bottle feeding.' As if the bottle were filled with whiskey, not formula. 'You see I was born a boy and this is my sister-in-law's child, so I'm not lactating. I'm also not a milk cow.' On the other hand, she had read the books that said George wouldn't be as bonded. Which was ridiculous since no one was breast fed when she was a child. And she hadn't seen her mother in over ten years. "No no no. He's great. I just meant," and she laughed. "I have no idea what I meant. I'm sleep deprived. OK?" "Eh, fine. Have you heard from her since the call?" "Once," Esme said. George began fussing. "Hang on....it's OK, George." She held him up to the screen. "Look, Georgie. It's Aunt Saanvi." Saanvi smiled then cooed, "Hello, George. How are you?" She used rounded, drawn out 'o's. "Yes, your cousin Cassie and your uncle Nick are very excited to see you. We are. We are." With that, George calmed down. "Hang on, I'm going to put him in his chair." When they brought George home, Freya brought over a little chair that would vibrate when you turned it on. 'My mom bought it for you. She made sure to tell me how much Michael and Katie,' her niece and nephew, 'loved it. She said to let you know how Claire,' Jeremy's wife, 'swore by it. She told me that you could lend it to me after you were done.' She went over and put Georgie in it, and he smiled. He was getting old enough that she thought that he was smiling, that it wasn't just gas. She went back to the computer. "OK, that's better. Yes, I spoke to her..." "How was it?" "Like she was reading from a script. 'Why, yes, Esme, your father and I are very excited to see you and the baby and Jay.' All that was missing was her holding up a newspaper with the date." Saanvi said, "Nick has told them to be on their best behavior. More importantly," she laughed. "Cassie has." Esme smiled, thinking of how her mother would absolutely lose her temper if she talked back to her. She remembered a row, when all she said was, 'you don't understand anything mother!' How she had been punished for a week. "Really? That must have gone over well...." "My parents are the same way," she laughed. "Who are you and what have you done with the monsters who raised me? Oh wait, the monsters took over Nick and me." Then, she got serious. "you don't have to do this, Esme. Cancel. Let them use the tickets to go to Majorca and yell in English about the breakfast." "No," she said, "they are the child's grandparents." More or less, she thought. Her mother was somewhat nonplussed when she found out they were adopting. Amber's child. "I want George to see them." "Well, we'll be there for you. Nick has a present for the baby, a special present..." Esme thought back to her childhood. To the chocolate pie that turned out to be mud. To the 'ABC' gum. To the bottle caps under the sheets. "Do I want to know? Will this require therapy? Or a visit to hospital?" Saanvi laughed. "No. I promise you. You'll like it. But it's a surprise." --- Jay's hand rested on the small of Esme's back. It was equal parts what she needed and incredibly annoying. The mass of people waiting outside the gate seemed to her to be made up entirely of tall men. She kept having to stand on tiptoes to see. Cassie saw her first. Behind her, Nick was pushing a trolley piled up with suitcases and Saanvi was a couple of steps further behind putting their passports into her hand bag. Esme watched as a smile spread across her niece's face. It was hard not to feel good. She waved to her. "Jay, it's them!" She took his hand and pulled. Immediately she felt bad. George was sleeping in the Baby Bjorn Jay was wearing. She looked at her son, momentarily paralysed by the fear he'd wake up. He stirred but didn't wake. Her eyes met with Jay's and she wondered if she looked as tired as he did. "That was a close one." "Sorry." Esme stroked George's cheek. By that time Cassie had reached them. She was beaming. "Oh, he's sooo cute. Can I hold him?" She bobbed up and down on the balls of her feet. "First rule of parent club, Rabbit, don't wake a sleeping baby." Cassie looked at Esme. The teenager rolled her eyes so hard Esme feared they might disappear into the back of her head. "He still calls me that, I'm not a child!" "No, you're not," Esme hugged the girl, at the same time smiling at her brother over Cassie's shoulder. "You're growing so quickly." Esme stepped back holding her niece by her arms. Cassie shuffled her feet and looked down, but she was still smiling. Then she looked at Nick, "Is it possible she's grown a few inches since last year?" "Biology's remarkable that way," he said, grinning. "Arse. Oh well, I was never any good at science. At least beyond being a prized specimen." Esme couldn't help but notice that the crowds coming through departures had thinned out. Saanvi joined them. Like Nick, she looked tired. Cassie on the other hand was bouncing around like Zebedee. Esme looked at Saanvi while Jay embraced Nick. Saanvi shook her head. At first she felt herself deflate. It had been two weeks since she'd emailed them with the links to the tickets. In all that time she hadn't realised how much she'd been putting on it. Had her mother opened the link? Did she even care? The next thing she realised was that Nick was hugging her. Then that she was crying. She could feel her body shake and then Jay's hand was on her shoulder. She recognised Cassie looking at her feet. Then Saanvi joined the hug. "They're not important. My nephew is." Saanvi spoke firmly. "How about we get some coffee and sit a minute? Probably not a bad idea before we hit the road in case..." And he looked down at George. Nick smiled. "Don't jinx yourself but I know I could use a cup. Can't sleep on planes anymore. For the past fourteen years or so. Don't know why." Cassie rolled her eyes and glared, at the same time. Which was an impressive skill. Jay squeezed her shoulder and they set off. It felt good to be close to Jay and George. She wiped her eyes as Nick and Jay compared notes on the traffic in different cities; 'nowhere has as bad as Paris.' Meanwhile Saanvi argued with Cassie over the tariff for texting her friends back home. The coffee place was a Starbucks. It was crowded with business people and tourists. They managed to find a corner with just enough space to fit them and their luggage. Nick and Jay went to the counter, Cassie following them. Partly thanks to the promise of cake. Partly to avoid her ongoing deathmatch with her mother. Saanvi yawned and rubbed her eyes. "She has been an absolute nightmare the whole way. Sorry," she reached out and took Esme's hand, "I hope, you're not too disappointed?" Esme watched her niece looking at the cakes. She still kept her hair down in front of her face. Still trying to be invisible. "God, no!" She couldn't take her eyes away. "You guys are the ones I wanted to see anyway." Even as she talked, Esme couldn't keep her eyes off Cassie. Saanvi watched her, watching Cassie. "Be forewarned. She's been having a hard time at school. Been fighting with her friends." Esme turned around. "What's up? Who's picking on her?!" Saanvi laughed. "What do you think?" Esme tried to think of the appropriate response. She guessed, "A boy?" Saanvi leaned in conspiratorially. "The kid is called Kasper. With a K if you can believe it. Apparently the leader of the mean girls in school was crushing on him, but guess who he hits on at the party? Don't laugh, this is my life now." "Shit, so they've been giving her trouble then?" "You remember what girls are like at that age." Esme nodded, she remembered only too well. "And Kasper with a K?" "Coward. With a C. Spineless little shit." She went quiet as the others re-joined them. Once again Cassie had a massive smile on her face. "Cake looks good." Esme watched as the girl sat next to her. "It's fucking huge!" "Cassie!" Nick added sharply. Esme couldn't help notice the corners of his mouth turning up. Cassie looked at Esme rolling her eyes, "Sorry," she said in a stupid voice, "it's 'friggin huge." "It frigging is," he said, reaching over to break off a piece. "Dad!" Cassie said, drawing out the 'a.' "Five syllables on dad, I think that's a new record." Saanvi smiled at Nick. Esme stifled a laugh. "So, anyway, I'm so glad you're all here. We're so excited to show you the city. Have you thought about what you want to see?" 'Please,' she thought, 'not the Empire State Building. Please.' Freya had told her that, if she went up more than once, they'd force her to move. Saanvi and Nick looked at the sleeping baby, then laughed. "Whatever you want to do. And you don't have to entertain us full time." Jay looked at George, he made a gurgling noise, but stayed asleep. Esme yawned. "It's fine. He appears to be sleeping through the night now... Hopefully." Nick smiled, put his hand on Cassie's shoulder and looked at her. She pulled away abruptly, as if given an electric shock. "Can we go to Williamsburg and the East Village, Aunt Esme?" Esme smiled, thinking, 'do you really want to see wannabe bohemian investment bankers?' Then, she looked at George and thought how she'd missed seeing Cassie grow up. "Sure," she said, trying not to tear up. "We can do that. Whatever you want. Jay can entertain your father, if need be." Nick looked up, animated for the first time. "Does New York have a good hockey team? Esme says you're into that." "I'm a Pittsburgh Penguins fan, but the Rangers or Islanders should be in." He took out his phone and checked. "Isles are in. We should be able to score a couple." He looked at Cassie and smiled. "And they play in Brooklyn, so it works out perfectly." She smiled and then realized what she was doing. As they were finishing their coffee, they saw George's little body move in the Baby Bjorn. "Ah shit," Jay said. He held up his hand and counted down, one finger at a time. With that, George let out a squall. People turned and looked. The sharpest of which were coming from the other women with children, not the business travelers. 'I'm sorry, what would you like me to do? OK, George, stop crying this instant! No, that didn't work.' Jay unstrapped the carrier, lifted up the crying baby and sniffed him. "Oh shit. Literally," he said, to smiles from Nick and Saanvi. "Give me the diaper bag," he said to Esme. Esme looked at Cassie and said suddenly, "it's fine. I've got it." "You sure? Come on, stay here and talk," Jay said, concerned. She looked at him. "I've got it, OK?" She looked at Nick and Saanvi, who looked confused. "I'll be just a minute. Hand me the diaper bag." Jay fumbled around with the multitude of bags they had with them and handed it over. "I'll just be a minute." She put the bag on the chair and fished around for a bottle and formula, all while holding the baby. "Make him a bottle while I'm in there." She started to walk off and Saanvi said, "I'll come with you, if that's OK. It's been awhile." She took the diaper bag from her. Esme shrugged. She couldn't imagine anyone missing changing nappies, but was grateful for the company. They walked to the restroom, Georgie having taken a brief breath before resuming screaming. They went into the women's restroom and Esme flipped down the changing table. "Hand me the little towel, please?" She put George on the table and, in one move, removed the dirty nappy and put the towel over his crotch. After a few seconds, she removed the towel and started to clean him off. Saanvi smiled. "You're not too bad for three months," as Esme squirted rash cream onto her fingers and then smeared it on the baby's bottom. She put on a new nappy, kissed his stomach and picked him up. Saanvi held out her hands. "Hand him over, you." Esme smiled and handed him over. "Head and neck work?" "Mostly." She watched in amazement as Saanvi took the baby and started bouncing on the balls of her feet, smiling. "Hello there, Georgie. How are you? I'm aunt Saanvi." George took to her immediately, giving her a little smile. "God, it's been forever," Saanvi said. She took a deep sniff. "I love the smell of a clean baby. Cassie used to smell this good. Now she smells like cheap scents and derision." Esme started to tear up. Saanvi looked over. "What's wrong?" "I...I...I just hate...I'm sorry....that I wasn't...that I missed it....and," she blubbered. Saanvi came over, holding the baby in one hand and Esme in the other. "Stop it, Esme. It's not important now. You're here. We're here now. That's what matters. And we're going to know Georgie boy here." She smiled at the baby, as much to calm his mother as him. "That's right Georgie. We're here. Me and Uncle Nick and Cousin Cassie. Uncle Nick is so excited to show your mummy what he bought you." Esme laughed a little. "Am I going to regret this?" Saanvi smiled. "I told you no." "Then why are you torturing me?" "Because it's fun," she said, grinning. Esme sighed and said, "Let's get this out of the way, away from the rest of them. Did they give a reason?" Saanvi looked at her, Esme couldn't read her expression. "It doesn't matter." "What was it? No one says 'it doesn't matter' unless there's a reason. Please tell me." Saanvi looked at her. "On my word, they didn't give me a reason. Who the fuck cares? What's a good reason, other than someone's in hospital?" Esme said, "I guess...I just thought...Or I didn't think." Saanvi touched her arm. "We're going to have a great week, the six of us. That's it." She smiled conspiratorially. "Quite frankly, I'm grateful for it." She held George out, so she could look him in the eye. "I don't have to share this boy with anyone." It was meant to be comforting, and it was. Mostly. They took the car back into the city, dropping them off at their hotel, which was five blocks from the apartment. Jay said, as he helped Nick unload the truck, "So you guys get settled in and call us when you're ready to come over." He nodded towards George, who was asleep in his car seat, his little hand up in the air next to his head. "It's not like we're going anywhere," he laughed. After an hour, Nick called, "So where do we go exactly?" Esme said, "You're going to walk east on Stanton, when you get to Pitt, cross Houston and then make a left on C. We're the third building in." Fifteen minutes or so later, she buzzed them up. She opened the door and gave them all hugs. "Please excuse the mess," she said, while Jay ran around picking up clothes, toys and towels off the couch, table and every other available surface. "We were trying to clean up for you." Nick and Saanvi both laughed. "Oh please, I think we're slightly familiar," he said. "Reminds me of our old house in Whalley Range." Esme remembered being in the flat when Cassie was a baby and she started to tear up. She took a deep breath and then looked at his hand. "What's in the bag, Nicky?" Saanvi looked at Cassie and they both rolled their eyes. Nick grinned, from ear to ear. "Open it," he said, handing it to her. Inside was a large box, that was heavier than she expected. She wondered how much it cost to check it. "He is sooo proud of himself," Cassie sneered, although she was also smiling. Esme opened the box. On top was a little Liverpool kit. And a Liverpool lunch bag. And plate and cutlery set. And sippy cup. And a certificate. Esme read it aloud, "By this certificate, George Alexander Stepanik is hereby officially a member of LFC the Mighty Reds." She grinned and gave her brother a big hug. "Thanks, Nick." Saanvi laughed. "This should tell you how much he loves you.." Esme kept hugging him. "Did you ask Georgie Best and Bobby Charlton for forgiveness?" Nick looked at her. "Just keep looking at what's in there, you." She moved away some tissue paper and pulled out a onesie, with the Star and Garter logo. Esme started to tear up. "Where did you get this?" "He's my only nephew, Esme." Not able to look directly at Nick she focused on the rest of what was in the box. A graphic novel called Sally Heathcote: Suffragette, a tea towel from the Radical Tea Towel company commemorating the Manchester Cotton Strike. Nick looked at Jay. "You're welcome America." Esme swatted him on the arm. After that there were mugs and various other things with bees all over them. "This is amazing, Nick. Thank you." Nick waved his hand. He picked up George and said, "OK, George. Since your mum clearly won't teach you, I am going to have to," and with that, he started singing, 'Glory Glory Man United.' Which caused Jay to laugh. And Esme to throw a stuffed bear at his head. "Daaad," Cassie said. "It wasn't enough you tortured me. You have to torture him, too?" Jay said, with a grin, "It doesn't really matter. It's not like it's real football or anything." The others laughed, then smiled at Jay sympathetically. Before Nick could say anything, his phone rang. He looked at the caller i.d. "Bloody hell," he said, handing George to Saanvi, who then handed the baby to Cassie. She held him like he was somewhere between a dog and a bomb about to go off. George smiled at her and Esme saw the girl give a warm smile back. Saanvi whispered in Esme's ear, "Wow. Those are few and far between." Nick walked into the bedroom and Esme followed. She heard him say, "What happened? Is one of you in hospital? Good. Then where the hell are you?" Esme felt her stomach drop. Nick looked at her, looking even more tired than he did getting off the plane. "I don't care. Tomorrow? What time? Well, I'll tell everyone. RIght." And with that, he put his phone in his pocket. He looked at Esme. "I'm guessing you figured out who that was." Esme tried to joke. "Have they made you detective yet?" Then, she started to cry. Nick came over and enveloped her in a hug. "Do you want them here?" Esme cried into his shoulder. "They're his grandparents," she said, in a small voice. "Yeah, well, that's not what I asked. You want me to tell them to fuck off? I will. You'd be well within your rights to do so." She pulled away a little. "No. I invited them." "We're here for YOU, you know that, right?" She thought she saw a tear in his eye, then decided his eyes must be tired. She smiled. "I know." She looked at him. "Why did they do it?" Nick said, "I don't know." She looked at him. He said, "I really don't. I don't know what's the matter with them. All I know is whatever they were they're more of it now." Esme shook her head. "Thanks. Did I make a mistake, Nick?" He thought for a second. "No. You didn't. At first, when they told me, I thought you were crazy." She joked, "Just then?" He smiled. "Different. I wondered why you were doing it. Then, I thought about it. And I'm proud of you." "Proud?" She was confused, but smiling. "Yeah, proud. They did what they did for whatever reason. And I heard what dad said to you. Which is bollocks, by the way. But, you faced them head on. And you're giving George a chance to know them. And that's up to them now. You wouldn't know it, but they've actually been not half-bad as grandparents..." "Not half-bad? That's a compliment," she joked. He looked serious. "They haven't been half-bad. Better than they were at being parents at least. And I don't know what they're going to do, but at least you tried." "Uh huh," she said, reaching for a burping towel to wipe her eyes. Too tired to worry about what was already on it. "And," and now he had a huge grin. "Making them come here. Home team advantage and all." "Fuck off," she said, giving him a hug. "I love you guys." "Blah blah blah," he said. "Yeah, well, we love you guys too. And, if they do anything, I'll take care of it." --- "So this is Brooklyn?" Cassie's head bobbed up and down. She kept turning to look. "Yup, the one and only. No relation to David and Victoria." Esme struggled to unfold the stroller with one hand, while holding George in the other. They walked past an apartment building - 'granite countertops, Sub-Zeros; condominiums starting at $2,000,000' - that was across the road from an auto salvage lot. Cassie rolled her eyes at her aunt's bad joke, then came over and helped unfold it, pushing down the lock that kept it from doing so. "Thanks," Esme said, putting George in the stroller. "So what do you want to do? Coffee? Book shop? Record store?" "Bar?" Cassie asked hopefully. Esme smiled. "Sorry, no. Even if I wanted to, first, your mum and dad would kill me and we don't want that, do we?" Cassie gave a quick smile. "Second, even if I would, the bars won't let you in. No one under 21." "Even if I'm not drinking?" Esme laughed. "Welcome to America." She leaned down to check the straps on the baby. "Off we go, Georgie," she said, in a baby voice. "Your big adventure with mum and big cousin Cassie." She took her first to a record store on Metropolitan. Cassie kept picking up the LPs. She touched each one like she was an archaeologist uncovering an ancient tomb. "Do your parents have a turntable at home?" "I think so." Cassie said uncertainty. "Dad went mad a while ago. Found his old cassette player. Kept playing me his old hip hop tapes. If I had to hear 'Let's Talk About Sex' again, I was going to run away. Esme smiled, imagining her brother playing it specifically to annoy Cassie. "Anyway, I think he took granddad's old record player when they were moving. Mum won't let him set it up though. Says we have enough stuff in the house as is." She paused, barely long enough to breathe. "That doesn't count her stuff though." Esme smiled. "Always remember. His stuff is rubbish. Your rubbish is stuff. Anyway, let's start your education then." Esme started to look. "Excuse me." A girl with a short blond bob was blocking the way. She seemed more interested in her phone. The girl muttered 'sorry' and moved just enough. Then she turned to the guy she was with, who promised they would leave soon. "Here," Esme passed Cassie a record, "The Sugarcubes. Do you know Bjork?" "Uh-huh. I guess. She's always over for the International Festival." Esme noticed her niece was watching the blond bob girl. Cassie whispered. "I like her hair. And her shorts." Esme smiled. "They call them Daisy Dukes here?" She looked herself, wondering if she could wear them these days. "Huh?" Cassie looked at her intently. "It was from a TV program from the 80s, the Dukes of Hazzard. Your dad loved it. Ask him to tell you about the scar on his leg. From when he and his mate tried to jump the stream near the house on their bikes." Esme smiled to herself, thinking of Nick howling. Partly from the gash on his leg and partly from the bent rim on his front tire and what dad was going to say. And do. "Right. We're starting there. Now Patti Smith, heard of her?" The girl shook her head. Esme smiled. While they stood in the line waiting to be served, Cassie craned her neck around. She tapped Esme on the arm, nodding her head towards the blond bob girl who was chatting with a male friend. "Do you think they're together?" Esme looked for a second. "Don't know. They won't be if he keeps dragging her to record shops." The girl looked bored. She kept glancing at her phone ostentatiously. It was warm enough for them to sit outside. Esme had her usual black coffee, Cassie some bubble tea. Or 'tea. Now with extra snot,' as Jay called it. She imagined Jay and George someday amusing each other with fart jokes. The teenager drank it through a straw happily watching passers-by. George was sleeping and Esme found herself spacing out, grabbing what rest she could. "What are you thinking about?" Esme turned, to find Cassie was watching her in that intense way she had. "Oh, nothing. Just spacing out. Georgie here keeps me busy," she said. "Sometimes, I just space." "Do you want them here?" Cassie asked, brushing her hair from her eyes.. "Who's them?" Cassie sighed and rolled her eyes. "Nan and Granddad." Esme looked at the table intensely. "They'll be here soon enough. How about we just spend the time now just you, me and Georgie," she said, hoping that would be enough. It wasn't. "That's not an answer, Aunt Es." "Well, yeah. Um. Hm. They're coming. And they're George's grandparents too." In theory. She supposed. Cassie smiled. "You're not answering me. Dad says you're barmy for doing it." "Your father still says 'barmy?' Wow, he's got," and she made sure not to add '-ten,' "old." "He was imitating granddad when he said it," and Esme laughed. Cassie continued, "But it's still what he thinks." She smiled. "Your dad is trying to protect me." "From what? What happened?" Esme sighed and looked intently at the table, willing the little black flecks in the tabletop off the grey stone to swallow her up. "Well, I mean you know about me, right?" That was OK. That was common knowledge. Common knowledge across the world. Now, it was Cassie's turn to study the table. If it ever went missing, they'd need only call them in to describe it to the police. Still looking at the table, she said, "Yeah." "Well, anyway, when it happened, let's just say it didn't go very well. Your grandparents weren't very...woke." She was proud of herself for using 'woke.' She shouldn't have been. Cassie smiled. "Don't say woke again, Aunt Es. Please. Never. Again." Esme laughed. "I'm not that old." "Whatever. It sounds ridiculous." "Hey," Esme said, "I'm extremely woke. And I feel triggered." Cassie took another sip of her bubble tea. "Get over it," she said, looking over at George. "Can I ask you something?" Her voice had become quiet. "And you don't have to answer. If you don't want." Esme girded herself. "What?" "What's it like? Being, y'know... different." The was a pause, then she blurted out, "You don't have to answer, if you don't want." Esme shook her head. "It's OK. I am who I am. I used to call it 'the change' but now - looking back - I realise I didn't change. Not really. I've always been who I am. The rest of the world just saw me differently." and she looked at George and smiled. "You'll discover that as you get older. Y'know, with boys and all that." Cassie's ears turned red, the same way her mother's had when they'd discussed boys all those years ago. "Then," and she looked at Georgie, "around thirty or so, it stops. But, you're the same. It's the way everyone else relates to you that changes. Does that makes any sense?" "Kind of. What was it like, when it happened?" She took a deep breath. "Awful. It was bloody frig...fucking," and Cassie grinned, "awful. I hope kids are better now..." "They aren't," she said, matter of factly. "Yeah, well, they were worse then and..." Esme stopped herself. They were her grandparents. "Let's just leave it as things didn't go the way I would've liked." "Uh huh." Cassie bobbed her head up and down. "I mean your mother was great, wonderful. She stood by me when everyone else called me..." "Freak?" Cassie interrupted. "That was one of the nicer things, yes." "Is that why you left?" Esme looked at her, then down at her sketchbook. The girl had been sketching all the while. She smiled. "Do you want to be an artist or a reporter?" "Was it because of them?" Esme started to tear up. "Yes, no. I mean, I wanted to see the world. I wanted to meet guys who didn't know my past. You don't really make big decisions in life, not really. There are just lots of small ones, then one day you look up and they've all amounted to something big." The girl came around the table and hugged her. "It's...ok." Esme dried her eyes. "I wish I'd been around for you though. I love you." Cassie looked around the room, to ensure that none of the people whom she didn't know didn't hear that. "Don't be gross, Aunt Esme." She smiled, remembering how that would have mortified her. Not that she ever heard it. Certainly not at Cassie's age. "Well, anyway, can I see what you're sketching?" "Don't tell mum and dad." "It's not plans to blow up your school or anything? Is it?" "That's in my other notebook," she said, passing it over. "You promise?" "Yes," Esme said, taking the notebook as if in an exchange in a spy novel. She opened and looked at it. "It's a comic for George, I think. Because he won't remember this." She looked up at Esme and, for a moment, Esme worried she was talking about something else. But there was no malice in her niece's face, which remained impassive and innocent. "I thought I could give it to him when he's older. The next time we come, perhaps?" "I imagine he'd like that. Wouldn't you Georgie?" She gave him a soft kiss on the forehead, all the while praying he wouldn't wake up. "Maybe we can persuade your big cousin to come out here in her summer holidays. Perhaps even study here." She hoped the baby voice would disguise her seriousness. She was glad when she saw that shy, goofy grin spread across her niece's face. She flipped through the book. "You're really talented, Cassie," she said. She was no judge but she could see she'd captured her likeness well. "Will you draw a picture of George for our wall?" Cassie beamed with pride, all trace of the sulky teen and her bad posture temporarily gone. Esme flicked further through the book. There were lots of drawings of women with similar haircuts to the girl from the record store. "I'm sensing a theme here. You like this haircut?" "Yeah," and back came the sulk. "Mum wouldn't let me." Esme smiled, trying to reconcile the girl with the blue, then red, then black, then pink hair and this 'mum' person. "She knows all the girls at school are doing it, but she just won't listen," she said, mustering all of the righteous indignation she could. Esme thought for a second, about her and Saanvi. And how they got their hair cut together when they were around Cassie's age. Saanvi wouldn't mind, would she? The hairdressers was a hipster one. Cassie had picked it because it looked cool. Funnily enough, it reminded Esme of the 'gents' hairdressers her dad had dragged her and her brother to once a month, before things changed. "What does your daughter want?" The hipster hairdresser asked. Newsboy cap over dyed jet-black hair - in a sixties flip. Black pegged jeans. Full tat sleeves on both arms. Whatever. Live your dream. Neither she nor Cassie corrected the hairdresser's misconception. The hairdresser ran Cassie's hair through her fingers. "Not too short," which Cassie started to protest. "Just a couple of inches off. You want bangs?" "Huh?" "A fringe," Esme qualified. "You can pull it off, honey," the hairdresser said, framing her hands with her face. She maneuvered herself subtly, to push Esme out of the way. Letting Esme know to leave her to it. Esme went and sat on one of the chairs provided. She bounced George on her knee as he gurgled away. Every now and then she'd look up and catch Cassie's smiling eyes. The girl seemed happy sharing gossip from her school life with the indulgent hairdresser. She looked good. On the train ride back, she kept checking out her reflection. When they were near to their station, Cassie took out her phone and started taking a selfie. "No," Esme said. "No what?" Cassie asked, genuinely guileless. "No social media. Not until your mom sees it. I don't want it popping up on Facebook." "Is it 2012, Aunt Es?" "What?" Now it was Esme's turn to be clueless. Cassie rolled her eyes. "Facebook? No one uses Facebook. At least no one under 30," she said, saying the last word as if the grim reaper stood over Esme with his scythe. "God," she laughed. George gurgled, or perhaps he was laughing at her as well. -------- "Are you really sure I should be here?" Jay said. They were standing outside the gate at JFK, waiting for Esme's parents to arrive. Nick, Saanvi and Jay. Esme was in the city with the baby and Cassie. Saanvi looked at him. "Why shouldn't you be here? Besides, I'm not letting him drive here. Bloody wrong side of the road." It had been the subject of a long conversation yesterday, mostly between Esme, Nick and Saanvi. Jay had broached the idea of the three of them - Esme, George and him - going to the airport so that, 'You guys could see some of the city.' Which had been greeted by, in succession, a groan and a smile from Nick, an eye roll from Cassie, Esme gripping his arm and Saanvi's raised eyebrow. So here Jay was. Waiting to meet his son's grandparents, his girlfriend's parents. For the first time. Without her. "Sorry, I'm nervous and this is, no offense, weird." Nick laughed. "No shit. I told you in the car it will be fine." He paused and looked ahead. "And it will be." They were stood around, half watching CNN on the bar TV half making idle chit-chat about schools. "I dunno. They say the public school nearby is good," he said, in response to Saanvi's question. She replied, "They say it's a bloody nightmare here." Jay had no idea of whether it was. Or if the school was any good. Or who 'they' were. Nick's phone buzzed. "Well, they've landed," he said, looking down. He said this in the same tone plumbers used when a bathtub had come through the floor into the kitchen. "Let's head over to customs, shall we?" He made jazz hands. "Showtime, Jay." Jay smiled nauseously. He didn't know what to expect. They were apparitions, monsters under the bed as far as he knew. And he didn't know much. He and Esme had been together for over a year and, when he asked her to describe them, she would dodge and deflect. The most he'd ever get was, 'They're shorter than Nick and me. But, they make the most of it.' It bothered him a little, more than a little. She'd met his family. She spoke to his mother more than she did. "So what do they look like?" Saanvi grimaced and shot Nick a look. "You'll know them when you see them." They watched everyone file through customs, dragging their luggage and clutching their customs forms, a great uninteresting mix of ruddy-faced older people, South Asians and teens trying to look cool. Then, he saw them. Well, more to the point, he saw Nick and Saanvi see them. An older couple, him about 5'7", her about 5'3". Both white haired and green eyed. He was wearing a windbreaker over a button down shirt, brown wool pants and brown walking shoes. She was wearing a tan raincoat over a blue floral print dress and white shoes, the sort that reminded him of the shoes his mother wore on shift at the hospital. Her hair was perfectly done, in that way of some older women. Somewhere between stylish and practical, but more towards the practical end. In his mind's eye, he was posing them in front of their neatly kept house, dressed in their best church clothes, as his grandma would have called them. Even though he knew they never went. Nick walked over to them and took their large suitcase. "How was the flight?" No affection. No malice. Like he was their travel agent. "Fine," his father said, in a Scottish accent accent. Different either Nick or Esme. Mrs. Entwistle looked around and said to Saanvi, "Where's Cassie? Where's Esme?" "Hello to you as well, Lilly," Saanvi said. "Esme, Cassie and your new grandson are back at the apartment. It's not exactly easy to travel with an infant." "Hm," mumbled Frank. Just then, someone jostled past him. "t's too crowded." Jay stuck out his hand. "Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Entwistle. I'm Jay. Stepanik. Jay Stepanik. It's very nice to meet both of you. We're so glad you came over to see us." Frank stuck out his hand and gave a curt nod. "It's nice to meet you as well." Nick gave his father a short hug. More an arm on the shoulder. The old man stayed still for the most part. Lilly looked Jay up and down and asked, "How are we getting to Esme's place?" "Jay drove us out here. We're parked in the multistory." "How do you handle this sort of thing, Jay?" Lilly spoke to no one in particular. "What sort of thing?" Jay genuinely had no idea. "The crowds," she looked around her. "I dunno," he shrugged. "You just do. You don't even notice it after a while." Frank looked around and said, "I can't imagine wanting to get to that point." In a chipper tone, Jay said, "Well, we'll be at the car soon. Away from the crowds." As they walked through the concourse, he texted Esme, 'The Eagle has landed. And we're on our way back to the nest.' When he turned back, he noticed Frank and Lilly had stayed a few feet behind the rest of them. They drove back into Manhattan, in the bumper to bumper traffic. Lilly sat silently, staring out the window. It reminded Jay of the way Esme liked to watch the world go by on their long drives to West PA. Frank shook his head. "So much traffic. How does anyone stand it?" "That's an understatement," Jay said laughing, as did Nick and Saanvi. Frank didn't. "So this is America?" Jay could tell Nick was getting tense, sandwiched as he was between his mother and Saanvi. "Bloody hell, dad, it's a motorway. It's not like the M6 is much to look at, is it?" Frank grunted and then sat in silence the whole way back. Jay, Nick and Saanvi in turn giving up at making conversation until they crossed the Williamsburg Bridge into the city. The Williamsburg Bridge was daunting, even to natives. It took you down the little streets that made up Manhattan below 14th Street, below the grid. Jay swerved around the delivery trucks and double parked cars, while Frank mumbled and Lilly just said, "Oh my." Eventually, much to Nick, Saanvi and Jay's joy, they parked the car. Normally, Jay parked on the street but decided that it made more sense - for today - to park in a lot. He would have been happy to circle the block for hours to find a spot but knew that that would be like getting really drunk. It would feel good now but he'd pay for it later. He walked them to the building and said, "Well, here we are." Which was evident. Lilly looked around and said, "This is where you live?" Nick looked at her and shook his head. "Mum..." "I don't know. I expected something different." Saanvi said, in a gentle tone, "Lilly, you're not here look at property. You're here to see Esme and the baby." "Hm. Yes, of course," she said. Jay opened the building door and she looked at the staircase in horror. "Don't worry," Jay laughed. "We live on the second floor." He and Nick grabbed the suitcases and they all walked up. Jay opened the door. "Hi, honey, I'm home," he said, in a mock-chipper voice. He'd say this every time he'd walk in the door. When Esme was in the mood - when George napped and gave her a break - she'd respond, in a bad housewife voice, "How was your day at the office, dear?" The rest of the time she'd smile wearily and, if he was awake, hand George to him, while she went to the bathroom. For fifteen minutes. Today, no response. Frank and Lilly looked at Saanvi, who took out her phone. She rolled her eyes and said, "Oh. Cassie said to say that the trains are running on a weekend schedule and they just got an L and that they'll be back soon." She looked at the time. "That was about 25 minutes or so ago. Jay, where's the kettle?" He was looking at his phone. "Huh?" Saanvi said, "The kettle. For tea. I'm sure Frank and Lilly would like some tea." "Um, it should be on the stove," he said, furiously texting Esme. "Jay, come here and show me," Saanvi said, to a smile from Nick. 'Better you than me, mate.' Jay walked into the kitchen and looked at her. "I know. I know. I don't know what she was thinking." He went into the cabinet and pulled out the builder's tea Esme liked so much, handing to Saanvi. Saanvi sighed. "What she was thinking about what?" He opened the cabinet and got the mugs. "I don't know. Any of this, I suppose. What are they thinking?" Saanvi looked at the kettle, not him. "I have no idea. Seriously." "Does Nick?" "Would you?" Jay thought about Esme and his mother. "Point taken. I mean, I'm glad she did it and all. She kept putting it off...." Saanvi put her hand on his. "This is the right thing," she said, as the kettle whistled. "No matter what happens." She slowly poured the two mugs. Jay shrugged and got out a box of cookies, chocolate chip. "These work?" Saanvi smiled. "They'll do. You're good for her. You know that?" Jay smiled. "We're good for each other. Thanks. May as well start this." They went into the living room and Jay babbled. "So, here's the tea. Builder's. Esme won't let me buy American tea." Frank smiled, "That's because that's not tea. It's...." Lilly looked at him and said, "Frank," which made him stop. And Nick laugh. Which made Frank look at Jay and say, "Look at the lord of the manor. Doesn't sh..sneeze until she says so." OK, so far, not so bad, Jay thought. "Where's the baby's room?" Lilly asked. Jay looked around the room, at the changing table. And the toys. And the crib. "Um, here." "The baby sleeps in the living room?" Clearly, this was a problem. "Yes," Jay said. "What do you when you have people over?" "We put him in the stroller in our room. But," and he nervously laughed. "we haven't exactly been entertaining a lot lately." Lilly got up and began putting things away. Or at least on shelves. "You don't have to do that." "It's fine," she said, grimly and efficiently going about the task. Fifteen silent minutes later, they heard the lock turn. Everyone's heads went to the door, as Esme and Cassie walked in, pushing the stroller. Esme, looking only at Jay, said, "Shhh. He's sleeping." --- Esme wasn't sure why everyone was staring. Had they never seen a haircut before? Saanvi looked at Cassie and then at Esme and then back at Cassie, and then at Nick. Her eyes narrowed but she said nothing. Frank and Lilly came and gave Cassie a hug. "Hello, Nana. Granddad. Did you have a good flight?" "What did you..." Lilly said. "Not now," Saanvi said, glaring at Esme, who shuffled on the spot. Lilly protested and Frank put a hand on her shoulder. Esme, Frank and Lilly stared at each other for a minute. "Oh, for the love of..." Nick said, "One of you say something." "Hello, dad. Hello, mum," Esme choked out. Jay came over and held her hand. "Hello, Esme. You look well," Frank said, sticking his hands in and out of his pocket. "You too," she said, walking over to the stroller. "This is George. Your grandson." She could feel Nick watching her. The older couple walked over to the stroller. "He's a handsome boy," her mother said. "Looks like Nicky did at that age." Esme started to say something about how that was impossible. She noticed Nick looking at her, smirking. "I wouldn't know. Nick being so much older and all." That got a laugh from Cassie. Who was hiding behind her father, and away from her mother. "Is he sleeping well?" "Like a champ," Jay said, proudly. "He just started sleeping through the night." "The noise doesn't bother him?" Jay didn't even notice the horns honking outside. Esme smiled. "Not at all. I think quiet does. When we go out to Jay's mum, I think the quiet makes him restless." "Oh," her mother said. "Does she live nearby?" "About six hours away by car." If she noticed the look of hurt in her mum's eyes, she registered no awareness. Esme took her mother in her arms. For a moment the old woman looked like she thought her daughter was going for her throat. "I'm glad you came. I want...George to know his grandparents." Her mother said, haltingly, "Well, I'm glad...you...invited us." There was a long pause. "Still keeping your hair short?" "Yes. I like it this way," she snapped. Saanvi looked at Esme, then Cassie and said sharply. "I think...that...Nick, you should take your parents back to the hotel." "Sorry, what?" Nick looked bemused. "I imagine your parents are tired. Why don't you take them back and let them check in?" Frank looked at Lilly. "That's a good idea. What do you think?" She looked at Saanvi, then Cassie. "Yes. I...could use a nap. Nick, can you get the bags?" "Uh, sure," he said. "Are you coming with us, dear?" "No," she snapped. "Jay will go. He knows the way. Cassie, why don't you show your grandparents the neighborhood?" Cassie looked at her mum, then her aunt, then her mum. "But..." Nick took her hand. "Cassie. I think your mum would like to talk to your aunt. Alone." Left unspoken was what she would get later. "But..." Esme nodded. "Help your dad and uncle Jay, Cass." The five of them all but ran out of the apartment. The door shut and Saanvi listened to them go down the stairs. "What the fucking hell, Esme? What the absolute fuck?" "I...uh...." "You, uh, what? Which uh, what are you bloody fucking talking about?" "I don't know." "How dare you get my daughter's hair cut without asking me? How about we start with that?" She furiously picked up mugs and brought them back to the kitchen, turning on the tap full blast to rinse them. Esme followed her in. "We were out shopping and she saw a girl and..." The words sounded ridiculous as she said them. "She saw a girl and what?" "She liked her haircut and..." "That is fucking brilliant, Esme. If she liked a girl's tattoo, would she have one of those now?" "Come on, Saan. That's not the same thing." "No shit, Esme. It's not. But that's not the point. Did she tell you I told her she couldn't get her hair cut?" "Yes," she said, staring at the floor. "And, yet, armed with that knowledge, you deliberately took her to get her hair cut? Why?" "I thought..." She felt like she was going to cry. "You thought what?" "We were having such a wonderful time and..." she said, her voice cracking. "What? What were you thinking? Please tell me." "I just thought that..." "What? You could make up for ten years by taking her for a haircut? Or you thought that you could drive us away this time?" With that, Esme began to cry. Profusely. Saanvi came over and held her. "I'm sorry, Esme. I didn't mean that." Esme sobbed. "You did. And you're right. It's true." Saanvi led her to the couch, and pushed off a couple of toys. "It's not," she lied. "Besides, I told you. That doesn't matter. Not anymore. We can't go backwards. We're here now and you're here. And no one is going anywhere..." "I really didn't...and I didn't...and..." And she kept crying, George thankfully sleeping through the whole thing. After five minutes, she had calmed herself down. "I am truly sorry, Saanvi. You have to know I would never have deliberately defied you like this." Saanvi said, quietly. "I know." Then laughing, "But what the hell were you actually thinking?" She smiled. "OK, and this is actually an utterly shitty reason, I was remembering when you and I went to that hairdresser in town..." Saanvi laughed. "That is an extremely shitty reason. Perhaps, you forgot what happened..." Esme smiled. "Well, I don't know what happened to you exactly. I mean I didn't see you for two weeks after that...she really likes it. And it looks really good." Saanvi said, "It does. Better than that butcher in town would do. But that's not the point. That is absolutely besides the point. This is not her and some friend of hers. You are," and she looked over at George, "an adult, correct?" "Yes," she mumbled. "And adults don't take other people's daughters for haircuts without asking, correct?" "Yes, mum," she said, smiling. "Fuck off you," she laughed. "Had you, I don't know, actually asked me in advance, you might have been surprised at the answer..." "I know. I know. I am sorry. I guess wanting to be the cool aunt is a shitty explanation..." "It is." Then, she smiled. "Your mum must be absolutely livid now." "Uh huh," Esme said. "What do you plan to do?" "About what?" Just then, George began to cry. Saanvi walked over and picked him up, 'shhh, Georgie. Auntie Saanvi's here. A responsible adult.' Saanvi bounced up and down with the baby. "About them." She went over to the carriage and began imitating Esme and her parents. "Oh hello. Hello. It's quite humid here. Yes. Yes it is. You invited them here. Did you at least plan that?" She thought for a second. "Your brother and Jay can take Frank to the hockey game! And then we can have a girl's day!" Esme burst out laughing. "Idiot. And you wonder why I left." --- As they stood in line for the ferry, they watched all the people, brought out by the good weather. Esme's eyes kept going back to her brother. "Deep in thought?" In front of them, a couple of mid-westerners were taking pictures of everything. At least the old film restricted you to thirty two shots. You had to think about the pictures you wanted. What you were going to send back home, show to your friends or work colleagues. "Huh? Just thinking it reminds me of Liverpool. The docks I mean." She shifted George slightly to balance the weight. "Well you're not far off. All that separates them is about a thousand miles of water." "Hmmm. I suppose. In that direction?" He pointed directly out. "Actually that direction," she pointed out and to the north. "Keep going your way and you get to Portugal. He nodded, silent for a moment. "Remember that day out in Liverpool, just after everything started?" She laughed. "Mum tried to make me go in Marks and Sparks to buy bras and knickers." "Then you ran off." They shuffled forward in the line. Nick put his hands on Cassie's shoulders and gently brought her along with them. She was looking down, unable of unwilling to look up from her phone. Looking at Georgie, she tried to calculate how many years ago Liverpool had been. "I remember that you were the one who found me." "Yup. I remembered how mum and dad always told us to go wait underneath the Radio City Tower if we got lost." She rested her free hand on his arm. He continued, "You were wearing that green hoodie, with the hood pulled right over your face." Despite the wind, they didn't want to go inside. Behind them, looking like a giant steel and glass forest was Manhattan, in front their destination. The Statue of Liberty. Esme looked down into the dark water, her grip tightening around Georgie. Jay placed a hand on her back, rubbing it slightly. She looked up at him and smiled. In front of her, Nick was standing at the railing watching the giant statue getting closer. Cassie stood next to him, resting her head against his shoulder. Turning slightly, she noticed Saanvi trying to surreptitiously take a photo of them. A rare island of calm in the middle of the deadly seas of teenage angst. Off to one side were Esme's parents. They stood close together, huddled against the elements. Set against New York Harbor, her dad looked small. Insignificant even. Would that be her and Jay in years to come? The world you'd grown up in gone. The wind changed, whipping fresh air into their faces. She could smell and taste the harbor, it overpowering the fumes from the engine. Her parents drew closer together. The Statue of Liberty was getting closer, looming above them. Large, unreal. Solid. Different from her parents. Two weeks later and they were back at the airport waiting to see Esme's family off. Saanvi and Cassie were fighting again. Cassie's mood had slowly darkened as the holiday came to a close and school had come closer. Esme wished she could tell the girl that it would get better, but she knew from her own experience she wouldn't listen. When you're a teenager, there is no later, just now. They gave Nick, Saanvi and Cassie space when they got to the terminal. Letting them work through their own issues. "Do you want anything from the newsagent?" Esme spoke to her dad. She'd just watched Jay take her mother in and was left standing with him. "Oh no. I'm good." A long pause. "I got everything before." Esme had no doubt he did. She remembered their childhood holidays. How her dad brought out his suitcase a week before they left. Meticulously ensuring he had everything. He'd be no good on snap journey. The few times work sent him away suddenly for a conference or something, Esme could remember him moodily storming around the house. Fixated on ensuring he had everything. "So, everything is good?" Her dad glanced at her. "Yes. Very much so." Georgie was asleep in his Baby Bjorn . "You don't need money?" "No, we're good. Jay's job pays well and I'm going back to freelance soon." She hoped. She still hadn't sent that email to Freya. "Good." He brought out a wad of notes. "No dad, I can't." "Not for you, for George." His voice was soft, almost tender. It felt cruel to say no. "Thanks dad." He smiled. "Don't tell your mother." He tapped the side of his nose. Looking up, Esme could see the planes rising above them. Was one of them carrying her family, back to where her life started? As they drove away Esme kept looking out of the window, watching the road change from little houses to apartments to office buildings. Turning she looked at Georgie, seemingly happy in his car seat. Happy in his small world. She felt Jay's hand resting on her knee. "Back to normal, huh?" "Aye, seems to be." She went back to watching the world go by. --- Esme walked in the door of the coffee shop. Since the arsehole in front of her let it close, she had to turn around and open the door with her hip, while backing in the stroller. She saw Freya sitting at a table, with a big grin. She was dressed in a blue linen suit and white shirt, having come out for lunch. Esme was in jeans and one of Jay's old Penn State sweatshirts. "Hey, Kitten," she said, getting up to give her a kiss. Then, she looked in the stroller. "Hey Curious Georgie," and she kissed him on the nose, which got a big smile. "I bought you a double espresso." Esme smiled, gratefully grabbing the coffee. "Thankyouthankyouthankyou. I have been up since 6:30 this morning." Freya grinned. "Did someone not want to let mommy sleep?" Esme swallowed the espresso, feeling each caffeine molecule enter her bloodstream. "That's good. So, what's new?" "MM is on the warpath again. Ad revenues are down - again - which means they," the publishers, "are back on wanting 'sexy' stories." Esme turned her coffee cup around, watching the little whirlpool in the centre. "Which means stories on the crumbling water pipes are obviously off the table for now." Freya nodded. "Sorry, Kitten. I know you were looking forward to doing that." Esme had proposed working on it as a freelancer, getting her feet wet again. Georgie was four months old now and she thought she could do it a couple of days a week. One of the mothers in the park said that her sitter had a sister who was looking for a couple of days work a week, since 'her lady is going part-time.' Esme always laughed at the way the sitters referred, at least in the presence of the mums, to 'their ladies.' It made her think of Downton Abbey. "Maybe if a pipe bursts, and there's a giant flood, you'll get it then." Esme nodded, thinking of 'sexy' stories. Maybe another stripper would come forward about the president and she could cover that. "On the plus side, Zoey is really excited about you coming back to the podcast. She said that she's going to call you to discuss topics." "That's great," Esme said. "I really can't wait. I've actually missed her." And she did. "How is she doing?" Freya grinned. "Well, she and Sal are...." Esme shuddered thinking what she and Sal 'were.' "What? What are they?" "They are...not together anymore," she laughed. "Are you kidding? What happened?" "The other day, they had a huge fight in the office in front of everyone. He said she was nagging him constantly and she called him," she pulled out her phone, "I transcribed this so I didn't miss anything, an obtuse, immature, emotionally stunted man-baby who was incapable of even basic human interaction. Oh, and he has severe mommy issues." She finished with a giant grin. "And you didn't call me? Bitch." "I wanted to see your face in person. Is that not the most hilarious thing you've ever heard?" "What did Sal do?" She pictured him skulking away, avoiding the glances of his crew. She almost felt sorry for him. Freya shrugged. "Said, 'oh yeah? Well...' and then he left." Georgie started whimpering and Esme took him out of the stroller. She held him in the air and sniffed him, to the disdain and amusement of the other patrons. She cooed tenderly, "I guess you just wanted to see mum, is that it? That's it, isn't it," she said, smiling at the baby and shaking Mr. Bear at him. She felt Freya staring at her. "What?" "I'm just always amazed, Kitten. Look at you. You're a real mom, aren't you?" She felt silly. "Stop it..." "Nope. You really are. I should take a picture of you for my mother. Drive her fucking crazy," she said, smiling. "Is she still on that?" Freya looked at her. "Of course." She rolled her eyes and mimicked her mother's voice, "Even Esme has a child." Esme laughed. "Ouch. That hurts. You don't agree, do you Georgie?" Freya smiled. "Neither do I." She reached out her hands. "May I?" "Of course," Esme smiled, handing him over. She always wondered what went through babies' minds as they got passed from person to person like an American football. Freya smiled. "Hey there, Georgie boy. It's Auntie Freya. How are you doing today?" George smiled and Freya grinned happily. "You're a big boy. You are. And Auntie Freya and Uncle Jason love you." Esme smiled. "Shall I take a picture and send it to her?" Her needing no explanation. Freya laughed. "Do that and I will kill you." The two women sat and talked for a while, mostly about office gossip and Jason and Freya's upcoming diving trip in the Caribbean. After twenty minutes, Esme said, "What time is it?" Freya looked at her watch. "2:00. Why?" "OK, good. I'm meeting Jess and Michelle in fifteen minutes up in John Jay Park." She started gathering up the bottles, blankets and toys that were littering the table. George sat happily in Freya's arms, gumming a teething ring. He wasn't cutting yet, but she knew it was coming. And she dreaded it. Everyone had told her to get ready for the screaming. Freya smiled. "How is Jess doing? Did she have the baby yet?" Esme smiled. "Yup. Emma Riley. She's about eight weeks now. Adorable." "Good for her. Michelle's her friend, right? The one married to the doctor?" Esme laughed, thinking of how Freya had met them once, at a party last year. "Yup, that's her. She and Jess are friends since forever. Like you and Amanda." That got a middle finger. "Anyway, you want to come with me? Jess'd love to see you." Freya smiled, handing over the baby. "I think I'll pass. That's a little too much fertility for me." Twenty minutes later, she walked into the park and saw Jess and Michelle near the sandbox, their two sons happily dumping sand from one bucket into the other and giggling. Jess smiled and waved. "Hey, Esme," she said, getting up and giving her a kiss. She leaned into the stroller and said, "Hi, Georgie. Look at you! You're getting to be so big and so handsome." Esme leaned over and gave Michelle a kiss. She was wearing yoga pants and a blue pullover and looked tired. "Hey, Michelle," she said, handing her the coffee she'd brought. Then, she took out George and faced him away from her, so he could see the park. He sat transfixed, his little eyes following a ball being thrown in the air. He was his father's son. Michelle gave a weak smile. "You are a goddess, Esme. Thank you. Mad Dog," her daughter, Maddie, "was up all night. Screaming like a banshee. And you know what the worst part of it is?" Esme smiled. Jess was watching the boys and pushing her stroller with her foot, clearly having heard this story before. "What?" "So, I wake up Amanda and I ask what it could be. And the bitch looks at me and says, 'how should I know? I'm in thoracics,' and she falls back asleep." She looked in the stroller. "You almost ended up an orphan, Maddie." She looked at the other two women. "Now, she sleeps." Esme looked at Jess. "That's a great skirt, by the way." Jess smiled. "Thanks. Laura got it for me when they were i