Summer Longing by Jamie Brenner

Author:Jamie Brenner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: None
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company
Published: 2020-05-04T16:00:00+00:00

Elise had been initiated, in a trial by fire, into the distinct club of working mothers. Did other women, she wondered, spend every minute of their nine-to-five jobs thinking more about their children than the task at hand? Maybe her preoccupation was exacerbated by the uncertainty of her situation. Regardless, she could not enjoy—could barely deal with—the robust business at Tea by the Sea. It was keeping her from Mira.

“We need to hire someone,” she said to Fern during a brief lull. “Let me reach out to Cynthia Wesson. If it’s like this now, in early June, what will we do in July?”

“I’ll call her today,” Fern said.

This small bit of progress sustained Elise until she was able to duck out in the late afternoon and pick up Mira from the Beach Rose Inn. The sight of Mira, wide-eyed, buckled into her stroller and ready to go home, warmed her heart.

Back at Shell Haven, she poured four ounces of formula into a bottle. She was feeding her every three or four hours around the clock. So far, she was doing all the night feedings. Fern hadn’t volunteered, and Elise didn’t feel the climate was right for her to ask for help. She was exhausted.

She kicked off her Converse and settled into the couch with Mira nestled in one arm. Elise found a bookmark wedged between the cushions, moved it aside, and set the diaper bag next to her. There were so many supplies involved in baby care, and managing them was, if not half the battle, certainly a good quarter of it.

Mira sucked on the bottle, her hands curled in tight little fists. Elise brushed her finger over one of them and smiled. She felt she could exhale for the first time all day. The only blight on the otherwise perfect moment was the persistence of the rash on Mira’s cheeks. She knew now that it was harmless, but it did look terrible and she was frustrated she couldn’t do anything to make it go away.

She heard the back door open and close and then the sound of someone in the kitchen putting away groceries, cabinets opening and closing and the distinct click of the refrigerator door. Elise was tempted to call out hello but didn’t want to startle Mira with a loud voice. The baby’s eyes were closed, and Elise marveled at the delicate translucence of her eyelids.

“Looks like you’ve got the hang of things now.”

Elise looked up to see Ruth smiling from across the room. “Some things, yes. Others are still a work in progress.”

“It’s always a work in progress,” Ruth said, looking pointedly at the room Olivia had moved into.

“Can I ask you something?” Elise said. “Do you remember if Olivia had baby acne?”

“Baby acne?” Ruth said, walking closer. “I don’t think so.” She peered down at Mira. “Is that itching her?”

“No, it just looks awful,” Elise said. “The doctor said it will go away on its own.”

“Maybe she has sensitive skin. You know, you really have to watch what products you use.

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