The Picture He Wouldn’t Send
As my due date approached, Patricia called constantly.
“Send pictures the second she’s born,” she’d say.
Dennis wanted one of Alicia wearing the fishing hat.
Two weeks before my due date, my mother visited. She noticed Neil checking his phone throughout dinner.
“Work?” she asked.
“Family stuff.” He went into the kitchen to answer another call.
After he left the room, Mom lowered her voice. “He seems distracted.”
I told her he was busy preparing for the baby. It was true. He had assembled the crib himself and attended every appointment. I didn’t want to turn a few awkward calls into an accusation.
Later, I overheard him say, “I told you I’ll take care of it.”
He hung up when he saw me.
“Your mother?”
“She’s worrying about delivery.” He kissed my forehead.
Neil had been attentive throughout my pregnancy. I wanted to believe him.
Three days before my due date, Patricia called.
“Are you keeping Alicia beside your bed at night?”
“Of course.”
“You’ll change your mind without sleep.”
“We’ll figure it out.”
She sighed. “Your generation makes everything difficult.”
I ended the call.
Alicia arrived six days late after eighteen hours of labor. I was so exhausted I cried when someone handed me water.
She had dark hair, pink cheeks, and fingers that curled around mine.
Neil held her, blinking back tears.
“She’s real,” he whispered.
“That’s usually how babies work.”
He laughed. I took their picture.
“Send this to your parents.”
He glanced at the screen and lowered my phone.
“Not yet.”
“They’ve waited nine months.”
“I know.”
“Then why not?”
“Marlee, please. Just leave it.”
His tone startled me. He promised to send something later, but didn’t.
I watched him put the phone down. Every month, Patricia had asked about ultrasound pictures and tiny clothes, sometimes calling twice if we didn’t answer. Now the baby was here, and Neil wouldn’t share a single photograph. I wondered whether they’d argued about visiting hours.
That evening, Patricia called twice. Neil stepped into the hallway both times.
“Is she upset?” I asked after the second.
“Just impatient.”
“Then send her the picture.”
“I’ll handle it.”
A nurse helped me tuck Alicia into the bedside bassinet and showed us the call button.
May you like
My legs felt unsteady whenever I stood, and I barely remembered the questions the doctor had asked. Neil brought me water and straightened the blankets without being told. I let myself lean on him.
Around midnight, he helped me settle Alicia after a feeding. For a while, he seemed himself again.
