I could be a good mother.
The faucet squeaked close. Priscilla returned to the living room, and watched her daughter play in her playpen for a moment. She reached down, smiling, “Claire, are you having fun?”
“Dada dada dada dadadaaaaa!” Clara babbled. Kissing the top of her daughter’s head, Priscilla said, “Daddy went to the grocery store to pick up some stuff. He’ll be back, don’t worry.”
She went ahead and placed her down on the stroller. “Let’s get you some fresh air.”
Priscilla walked down the block, her daughter in her stroller. Annalise giggled. The air was crisp. Felt clean.
They returned home. Priscilla gently placed her daughter on the walker.
And as soon as Annabeth moved to practice walking, Tony had arrived. “Hello ladies,” he greeted. Priscilla smiled at him, going straight to his open arms, accepting his warm embrace. He kissed her.
“Hello to you too,” Priscilla finally said after pulling away from the kiss. Tony chuckled, and left another kiss on her forehead, before approaching their daughter. Priscilla went to the kitchen.
“Hello little lass,” he said, picking her up from the walker.
“Hey, I’ve just put her there,” Priscilla smiled.
“Oh you, let me get some huggy wuggy from my little lass,” Tony pouted teasingly.
Her shoulders shook as she giggled. “Okay. What do you want for dinner?”
“Something hot.”
“Soup? Okay.”
Priscilla turned her back and went to prepare their dinner. She washed her hands. The faucet squeaked close. Priscilla glanced to her back, and Tony and Daphne were gone. “Walking her outside?” she asked aloud, returning to her cooking.
She blinked. The faucet squeaked close.
“Tony?” She called.
There’s no sight of them in the living room either. Suddenly, her heart sank. Her stomach twisted in an ugly manner. She felt nervous. Scared. Something’s amiss.
“Tony!” she called again, voice louder, this time with firmness, akin to a mother scolding a child. When she heard no answer, she ran upstairs.
Their bedroom was empty.
Their baby isn’t in the crib either.
She blinked.
The faucet squeaked close.
“What – What’s happening? Tony, darling, where are you? Diana?” her voice and lips trembled, hands shaking. She got out of the kitchen – wait – why was she in the kitchen again? She was in the bedroom earlier…which she’s trying to get to, but she blinked.
The faucet squeaked close.
Priscilla let out a sob, tears welling up, “Tony!”
She ran out of the kitchen. This time, she ran to the front porch. The stroller was there in the entryway.
The car was parked outside.
Everything is silent. No cars passing by. No crickets. The world seemed…empty. No distant sounds from the town…empty. She’s all alone.
“No, no, no, no,” Priscilla breathed heavily. Her knees shook.
Her sobs were big – sobs a child let out when crying. “No no, no! Tony. Tony! Where are you? Where’s the baby – where’s – ”
She paused.
“No. No…!” Priscilla ran to the sidewalk. “What’s – what’s her name?”
Her mouth opened, attempting to call for Tony and…who? Who is he with? She blinked.
The faucet squeaked close. She was crying. This time, she went straight outside the house. She ran, and ran, and ran.
She babbled, “Who is she? What’s her name? Tony, where are you? My baby. She’s my baby. Where is she?”
“Bring me my baby back! Bring me back – ”
As she covered her face, as she closed her eyes…
The faucet squeaked close.
Priscilla let out an inaudible gasp. She blinked her golden eyes open. Her surroundings were blurry. Her cheeks felt wet. Was she crying? Why?
She sat up.
Her tears kept rolling down her cheeks. Where is she?
Oh. This is the reality. This is her awake. This is her in Bridgeport. This is her, sitting on her bed – and her husband’s bed. He was sleeping soundly. No crib in front of her. Only a fireplace.
She made her way to the bathroom, her footsteps silent, muted by her power.
It wasn’t real. A dream.
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