time you can have a shot at doing it yourself.”
I’ve changed so many diapers over the years, the process is completely mechanical for me now. I usually get it done pretty quickly but because I want to make sure Connor can see what I’m doing, I go through all the steps, carefully explaining what I’m doing and why. He’s a smart, capable guy so I have no doubt he’ll pick this up pretty quickly.
“Hmm, it looks like he’s hungry,” I say, observing the way Chase is smacking his lips together and poking his tongue out.
“How can you possibly tell that?” Connor asks, a little awe in his tone.
I point out my observation to Connor as I search in the diaper bag for a bottle and the forumla cannister I saw earlier. “You want to feed him before he starts crying,” I say. “You want him fed when he’s hungry, but not just whenever he needs comfort. There are a lot of other things you can do to comfort him when he’s crying.”
I add the formula into the bottle and replace the teet, shaking it vigorously to make sure the powder is properly combined with the water. Then I hand the bottle to Connor so he can feed Chase.
“Fuck, man, I’m so glad you’re here,” Connor says, letting out a grateful sigh. Then his eyes widen in horror. “Oh, shit, I just said fuck!” He shakes his head in annoyance. “Damn it, I said it again!”
I rest a hand on Connor’s shoulder, rubbing gently as I try not to laugh. “Don’t worry, you’re doing fine. And he’s way too busy necking that bottle to hear anything you’re saying right now, anyway.”
9
Connor
By the time we’re done with our shopping spree, we have so much shit in the cart it’s beyond clear we won’t be able to get it back to my place on our own, so I spring for the store’s delivery service and they promise to have everything there in a couple hours.
Just in case they’re late, Josh suggests taking some diapers, formula, and Chase’s travel crib home with us now—so that’s what we do.
I know I could have called one of my siblings or my parents to help me with this, but I’m so glad I called Josh—and not just because he’s nicer to look at than anyone in my family would be. He really knows his shit when it comes to babies, and he doesn’t make me feel like an idiot for my complete lack of knowledge.
It’s just as I’m shoving open the door to my apartment that I feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. I set the box with the travel cot down and make room for Josh to come through with Chase before tugging out my cell and reading the text.
Laura Bennett: I’m going to be stuck here my whole shift, sorry! I can come get him after if you need me to but it won’t be until after midnight
Me: No it’s totally fine, he can stay here. I bought him a bed to sleep in and everything
I take a picture of the box with the travel crib and send it to her.
Me: [Photo]
Me: And I can call in again tomorrow so I’ll drop him at your place in the morning
Laura Bennett: Faking sick two days in a row? Wow that firm is lucky to have you!
Me: Remember what I said about looking a gift horse in the mouth?
Laura Bennett: Lol sorry. And thanks, I appreciate it. I won’t have my phone on me but send me updates and pics please
Me: *Thumbs up emoji*
I slip my phone back in my pocket, glancing up to see Josh has removed Chase from his stroller and taken off his little hat, mittens and puffy coat now we’re inside in the warmth.
“Damn, we should have brought that playmat thing with us instead of waiting for it to be delivered with the other stuff. Then he could lie on the floor and play—he liked doing that at Laura’s.”
Josh offers me a soft smile. “He’ll be fine. You know there was a time kids didn’t have all these fancy toys and they were totally happy.”
I nod. “Okay, so what do we do?”
Josh nods toward the stroller. “Grab that blanket, and the monkey.”
He takes Chase over to the living area and nods for me to lay the blanket on top of the rug. Then he sets Chase down on top of that, on his stomach. He puts the monkey just a little way