A Helping Hand (closed for Katiesub)

[Sasha25]

The small ranch house was still mostly empty inside, but Amy was finally feeling at home. As she stood in the kitchen, soup heating in the microwave, she took stock of how she had gotten there.

Two years ago, she had gotten her bachelors degree, and teaching certificate, ready to find a job in a middle school or high school, focusing in the sciences. At the end of the recession, teachers were being laid off and not hired, so it was a great struggle to find a job. Amy had spent the last two years sending out resumes, living at home with her parents and doing a lot of substituting work.

After long last, she had gotten a job about two hours from home, to start in September. Deciding to get settled early, she had searched and found a small rental home about 10 minutes from her new school, just the right size and in great shape.

She didn't have any furniture yet, but there were paintings on the walls, her clothes in the closets, and she felt at peace. Her own space, for the first time in her life.

Amy took her soup out into the cool evening, the sun still up, but fading, and sat on the patio chair left by the houses' owner. She looked over at the neighbor's yard, seeing the silhouette of a tall woman, very slender, but with an obvious babybump. As the woman turned, Amy saw a sad look on her face. Amy couldn't help but offer the woman in the distance a smile, hoping it would be returned.

 

[Katiesub]

Heart racing, Tonya burst into the kitchen as Jen screamed "MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY!" and saw her daughter with tears streaming down her face and clutching a thoroughly bedraggled, sopping wet Jeddy-Teddy Bear as she stood in front of the now-open dishwasher.

Calming herself first, then her daughter, she put things right, assuring Jen that Jeddy-Teddy would be none the worse for wear after "sleeping" all night in the laundry room. The kicking baby inside her, however, wouldn't calm so quickly and her kicks were no longer merely butterfly kisses.

Closing her eyes, she simply stood there in the kitchen cradling her belly, eyes closed, humming "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot" in as low and rumbly a register as she could manage.

Finally, opening her eyes with a sigh she saw the new neighbor sitting on her patio having some sort of meal. She began to turn away when the smile on her neighbor's face, in such stark contrast to how her day had gone so far, caught her attention.

She managed a weak wave when Jen burst out the door into the back yard running after a squirrel she had seen on the patio cluttered by big wheel, wading pool, and various and sundry odd plastic toys. Tripping on a tot's garden rake, Jen fell facelong onto the grass and Tonya lumbered out to rock her in her arms.

 

[Sasha25]

Amy saw the child run out, a sweet, happy looking child as she returned the wave to the woman, then saw the child fall head first into the grass. Amy immediately gasped, an even though the mother went quickly to help the child, Amy left her soup, stills teaming and ran barefoot to the pair, covering the 100 feet distance in a short amount of time.

"Is your daughter alright? That looked like a nasty fall." Amy saw the child was crying, but obviously from the shock, not any big scrapes. Up close, the mother was not just thin, but almost undernourished. Amy's instincts to help immediately went to the surface and offered her hand.

"Hi, I'm sorry to rush over like that. You have everything under control, I see. I just moved in next door."

 

[Katiesub]

Sitting on the grass, cradling Jen in her arms, Tonya looked up at her neighbor. "She's fine. Grass stains are about the worst of our worries, I think. Thank you, though, for rushing over. Most people probably wouldn't even have noticed."

Tonya suddenly realized she was sitting on the grass, her dress all out of kilter and her hair completely frowzy. She smoothed her dress, pushed her shoulder length light brown hair back off her forehead and struggled to stand with Jen still in her arms. As she rose, she stumbled a bit, caught herself and stood there, child in her arms and looked down at the slightly shorter woman who had come across the yard. Apprising her quickly, she noted enviously the shapely form in her smart clothes that stood before her.

"Thank you for coming over, but I think we're ok. I don't want to interrupt your supper and it's about time I found something for us, too, I suppose."

"Mommy, can we go to McDonald's?" Jen queried.

Tonya shook her head and said "No, honey. I've got some hash browns and sausage that was left over this morning at the truck stop. I'll warm that up, ok?"

She turned to her new neighbor and realized that she hadn't introduced herself and had no idea what the woman's name was. Shifting Jen in her arms clumsily, she extended her hand and said "I'm Tonya. Tonya Jensen, and this is Jen."

 

[Sasha25]

Amy took Tonya's hand, fighting to not let her mouth hang open. Hash browns and sausage? From breakfast at the truck stop. Something wasn't right, perhaps quite a few things weren't right. Amy's mind whirled as she held Tonya's hand, then for a little more time, brushed some more grass from Jen's knees.

"I made some soup this morning. I usually freeze a whole bunch of it for the winter, but I'm glad to share. Consider it a gift for a new neighbor." I put on my best smile, hoping she would say yes. Hoping that a Jen might help my cause, I asked her directly.

"Jen, would you like some soup? It's great for girls who just fell in the grass." Amy giggled playfully and tickled Jen. Amy looked hopefully back and forth from Jen to Tonya. The little girl seemed very thin too. Amy had on a pale blue cotton top and khaki shorts that held her body well. Without having to get dirty in the yard yes, she opted for comfy, but nice clothes. There was a lack of "well-kept" around Tonya and Jen that Amy wanted to know about. Then Amy flicked her eyes to Tonya's hand. No ring.

 

[Katiesub]

Tonya's first reaction was irritation at this person's talking to her daughter but she realized it was an overreaction to that common tactic of those religious groups that were continually knocking on her door. She also noticed that glance at her left hand and had seen that glance so many times in the past few months.

But this woman's glance wasn't followed by that all-too-common flickering of smugness that morphed so quickly into pity barely concealed by "concern." There was also the woman's hand in hers, and that physical touch in and of itself engendered trust that this woman wasn't like the rest. Finally, she knew Jen was hungry and that she desperately needed better nutrition than she could provide that day.

All this was the thought of a second or two before her face broke into a tentative smile and she replied, also to Jen and not this woman directly, "Jen, would you like some falling-down-fixer-upper-soup?"

Bending over carefully, never accustomed to the shift of balance that her growing belly caused, she set Jen gently back on her feet and stood straight once more, arching a little to ease the ache in her lower back.

 

[Sasha25]

Amy watched as Tonya set Jen down and took her hand. Tonya's belly was round, and Amy, as she always did with pregnant women, smiled, then sighed. Pregnant women were radiant, Amy thought, and her thoughts drifted to dreams that she had so often, where she was with child, or was with to someone who was.

When Jen nodded shyly at Amy, Amy turned to lead them to her house. It was strange to make friends this way, randomly over a makeshift dinner, but Amy needed new friends in this new town, and she wasn't going to miss an opportunity. As they approached the desk, Amy grabbed her bowl of soup, which had cooled, and went into the kitchen.

"Please have a seat on the deck. I'll just heat up two bowls for you. I'll bring out crackers and drinks too!" Amy loved to entertain and fuss over people, even going back to her elementary school days when she had parties at her parents house. Five minutes later, Amy was bringing out a tray with three big bowls of chicken vegetable soup, crackers, glass of water, and a small piece of good chocolate for Jen. What little girl wouldn't like chocolate?

Again, Amy's eyes took in everything about her new neighbor's. Tonya was obviously struggling with her back. Jen had a lot of toys but not enough food. Amy knew then that she would be watching out for them both.

"Eat up before it gets cold! Cold soup doesn't help with grass-stained knees." Amy smiles at Jen, then Tonya.

 

[Katiesub]

This woman was like a whirlwind, Tonya thought. Ever since "the jerk" had left, she'd retreated more and more from everyone, mistrustful and ashamed of her situation. But somehow, here she was, drawn out and feeling exposed and vulnerable.

She watched Jen cheerfully eating her soup even as she noted her neighbor's scrutiny of both of them. She couldn't help but look at herself through this woman's eyes and as she did, she made as if to push a lock of hair out of her eyes but was really blotting a tear with her forearm.

Sundress that wasn't really maternity clothes, now almost stretched taut over her swollen belly. Maternity panties and bra that she'd saved from when she'd carried Jen, now graying and fraying. She was happy that her mom had gone to the outlet store and gotten Jen a couple summer outfits a month ago, or she'd be as ill-clad as her mom.

Tonya closed her eyes and felt an overwhelming feeling of desolation and failure wash over her. She bit back a sob and struggled to rise, lost her balance and fell heavily back onto the lounge chair.

 

[Sasha25]

Amy quickly got up, before Tonya even fell back on the lounge chair. Kneeling next to her, Amy toke her hand again.

"Are you alright, Tonya?" said Amy, while Jen said, "Mommy?" Amy knew that Tonya had probably just lost her balance trying to get up from the low lounge chair, but there was a look on Tonya's face, like sadness, almost despair.

"Jen, stay here and finish your soup and watch over your Mommy. I'm going to get a cool towel for her. Can you be a big girl for me?" Amy tousled Jen's hair as she went quickly inside. Taking a kitchen towel and running it under the cold water in the sink, wringing it out, and coming back to the deck. Jen was eating slowly, but watching her mom with the intensity only a child could bring to simple task. Amy couldn't help but smile as she knelt and placed the towel on Tonya's forehead.

"You did a great job, Jen. You earned that piece of chocolate." Tonya had a mixture of confusion and gratitude in her eye, but Amy didnt' say anything more in front of Jen. Amy was genuinely concerned about her new neighbor, but wanted to get her alone before asking difficult questions.

 

[Katiesub]

Tonya leaned back on the lounge chair, gradually releasing her reticence as the cool towel eased what had promised to be the beginning of a headache. Seeing Jen looking concerned, she smiled and hugged her, whispering in her ear "Mommy's feeling better; why don't you go get your rake and shovel and play in the sandbox for a little bit? You can pretend you're planting carrots and potatoes, like we had in this nice soup. I'll be right here, watching, ok?"

"Can I grow noodles, too?"

A grin spread over Tonya's face at Jen's questions as she replied, "Sure, and make sure you plant some of those seashell macaroni you like so much, too!"

As Jen ran to the adjoining patio, Tonya leaned back once more and turned to her neighbor. "I don't even know your name yet, and you've been so nice. The soup was wonderful, and I haven't had anyone but my mom to ... "

She broke off the sentence, shaking her head slightly, and began again. "I'm so happy you moved in. The house has been vacant too long, and I was worried that maybe somebody noisy or ... well ... you never know what people are going to be like, you know?"

 

[Sasha25]

Amy laughed as Jen ran back over to their own yard and patio. Grow noodles. That's why Amy loved children so much. The innocence and excitement. She could tolerate the tantrums just for that.

"I'm Sorry, Tonya. I was so intent on helping that I forgot to say my name. I'm Amy." Amy turned over the towel to the cool side and smiled. "You have someone else now. Not that I'm going to force you to be my friend. But I'm normally quiet, very helpful, a decent cook, and I love children. I was nervous that I would live next to a boring old couple, or some frat boys who partied all night."

Amy got Tonya's water glass and offered a sip. "If you need someone to watch Jen, I'm happy to. Though is sounds like your Mom helps with that. I don't have any furniture yet, except my bed, but if you want to take a break and relax here, you are welcome too."

The smile on Tonya's face was beautiful and genuine, and Amy returned it.

 

[Katiesub]

Tonya smiled warmly back at Amy. "Nice to meet you, Amy. Amy. If I remember my high school Latin, the name has something to do with 'love' or 'loved one.'" Right now, you've made a lover out of Jen, at least that soup did. She usually fusses a bit over eating vegetables. I think I'll have to make them in soup or maybe casseroles more often. When, of course, her noodle crop has ripened!"

"Yes, my mom helps. I work part time, graveyard shift at the truck stop out on 43. Jen goes to her house around 7 at night, and I grab some sleep then until I get up around 11 to go to work. Jen and I take a couple naps together during the day, too."

"No furniture? I've got a nice dining room table and a few chairs down the basement. It was a wedding present from in-laws, but with just Jen and me here ... and ... well, we use the dinette in the kitchen. I was thinking of selling it, but haven't gotten the courage to really do anything about ... that ... yet."

"And ... wait right there ... I'll be right back." She almost fled to her house and went to her airy south room and found what she was seeking. Carrying it carefully, she came back to Amy's patio and proffered a white phalaenopsis orchid, it's first bloom just opening. "This is the one thing I do well, Amy. I've always loved orchids and ... well ... I'd really like it if you would consider this a hearthwarming gift. It will continue blooming for a couple months, and this kind of orchid, called a 'moth orchid' because it looks like one, well ... it's almost foolproof and easy to take care of."

She blushed furiously and blurted "Oh, I didn't mean that you might be a fool or couldn't ... Oh, I'm so sorry. I ... I'm not doing this very well, I guess ..."

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/3699378098_eef6843a41_z.jpg

 

[Sasha25]

"Wow, it's so beautiful." Amy whispered, overwhelmed by this gift. She had always loved to look of orchids, the scent, the exotic look and feel of them, but Amy was never a green thumb. Her eyes sparkled as she look up at Tonya in gratitude.

"Thank you so much, Tonya. This is a wonderful gift. I'll put it in the kitchen, which I where I'll spend most of my time. As for your furniture. You are too kind. I would take anything at this point. Perhaps tomorrow, I could stop buy, after you've rested from your shift and we can move it over." Amy set the orchid down and hugged her new neighbor tightly. She felt the round baby bump against her own tummy and she felt a thrill, of joy and of excitement. She broke the hug, pulling back, with a blushing smile. Then an inspiration came.

"Why don't you and Jen come by for dinner tomorrow. I'm not doing anything in the summer, before I start teaching, and I love to cook. Please say yes?" Amy grasped Tonya's hand again and squeezed.

 

[Katiesub]

Tonya's emotions were so on edge these days. On edges, for that matter. She held back tears ... barely ... as Amy hugged her and she felt the first real physical contact with someone besides Jen since her husband had left her. But then, when she heard Amy's offer, her first inclination was to back off, withdraw, and pull the covers of her sadness back over her head.

"Oh, I can't impose on you like that, Amy."

But when she saw the downfallen look on Amy's face at her words, she realized that withdrawing from this person was just completely wrong. She hurried to retract her statement and blurted "I'd love to, and I know Jen is already taken with you. But, can it be a fairly early supper? I'll need to have Jen ready to have Mom take her to her house for the night by 7, and if Jen isn't bathed and ready, Mom gets that 'What kind of a mom are you?' look on her face. I really can't deal with that right now."

"Besides the table and chairs, what can I bring? I'm not much of a cook, but I usually only burn about 1 in every 3 pan of brownies. And I've got a butterscotch brownie recipe from Mom that is about the only thing I have ever learned to make that isn't in a box or can."

"Jen and I will probably be napping from about 1 to 3 in the afternoon, so maybe we could get the table and chairs over to your place around 3:30? We can take them out the patio door from the basement and not have to take them up steps or anything. I'm not really in much shape for that kind of heavy moving at the moment."

Tonya's mind was already racing, thinking about what she and Jen would wear the next day when she realized it was almost time for her mom to come get Jen.

"Oh! I need to get Jen cleaned up for Mom and then get some sleep before I go to work!" She grinned at Amy and asked "You're not a heavy metal junkie with thumping woofers or tweeters or whatever they are, are you? I usually sleep between 7:30 or so and 11, when I get up to go to work."

"I'd better run."

She turned to go but whirled around and impulsively hugged Amy tightly. "Thank you" was all she could say before she broke the contact and walked briskly back to gather up Jen and take her into the house.

In the kitchen, she turned and looked at her neighbor still standing on the patio and realized that something had come into her life that had been missing so very long. She wasn't sure what it was, but she knew it was now there where it hadn't been before.

 

[Sasha25]

Amy looked over at Tonya's house for a few minutes, holding the towel that had been against Tonya's forehead. What would she make for dinner the next day? Pasta. No, not just pasta, lasagna. It wasn't just for Tanya, Amy knew; kids could be picky eaters.

Finally, Amy went inside and cleaned up. She felt happy, light. someone needed her, or so she thought. Amy was a person who always wanted to feel useful, and be helping others. She made a quick list of the food she needed to buy in the morning, then went to her bedroom. While many of her clothes were hanging, those items that usually belonged in drawers were still in suitcases. She decided that while she was out shopping the next day, she'd purchased some bedroom furniture.

As she lay in better later, Amy couldn't help but think of Tonya. How she looked with her baby bump, how she cared for Jen, what had happened with Tonya and her husband. But her thoughts focused on Tonya. What did she look like naked? Was her belly nice and smooth? How soft was her skin? Amy was tempted to lift her gown up and touch her sex, but she resisted. Tonya was a new friend, with a young girl and another on the way. She had to think of Tonya's needs before her own.

Amy slept rather badly, from excitement about the next day. We woke and took a long walk, then returned to shower. After a quick breakfast, she went out to a small, local furniture store and purchased some modestly priced bedroom furniture that would be delivered in a few days. After hitting the grocery store for the ingredients for lasagna, Amy sped home, ate lunch and made the lasagna. It would be ready to pop into the over as soon as the moving was finished.

At 3:30, wearing a pink tee and short denim shorts, Amy was waiting on the back porch.

 

[Katiesub]

Having a 3-year old help making brownies is always an adventure, but Tonya and Jen got the brownies made early, before the heat of the day set in. They had their morning nap and truck stop leftovers for lunch before the day went sour.

Jen remembered that Jeddy-Teddy was downstairs drying after his bout with the dishwasher yesterday. Jeddy-Teddy was fine, but not the ribbon that was around his neck, and Jen was being a proper pill about his need for a collar or "he won't be tame and he'll be dangerous." Tonya ransacked the house for a piece of ribbon, any ribbon that would do but came up empty-handed. Finally, she unthreaded a ribbon that had been part of the lace border on a pre-babybump sundress and Jen pronounced it suitable.

By that time, Jen's naptime was late, which always meant she was cranky, and Tonya still hadn't determined what she was going to wear, nor had she even showered yet that day. She lay down with Jen and finally Jen fell asleep about 2:15. Tonya knew there was going to be no afternoon nap for her that day, so determined to make the best of it with a bath.

Easing into the tub carefully -- "Damn this balance thing!" she thought -- she relaxed and kneaded the muscles in her lower back as she lay. As she watched her breasts and belly break the water level, she thought back to when she was pregnant with Jen. It was a magic time, with both her and her husband's attention on every aspect of the pregnancy. A time of wonder, with new revelations and new changes seemingly every day. She remembered how he had cradled her tummy, standing behind her, his breath in her ear. As she reminisced, thoughts of how sensual she had felt those middle to late months as her tiny breasts had blossomed along with their sensitivity and even the very color of her areolae had deepened. Her fingers strayed to them as her thoughts turned back and idly she tweaked them a bit.

She woke from her reverie, slightly aroused but then found herself weeping uncontrollably. She hadn't even pleasured herself, nor had any desire to, for more than 3 months now and she was damned if thoughts of the jerk were going to be part of anything today.

She hurriedly finished her bath, stood and showered as she washed her hair, and wrapping a towel around her hair and one around her body she went into her room to dress.

She mechanically got out a pair of her frayed maternity panties and bent to put them on when she stood back up, dug through her drawers and found a pre-maternity brief bikini. It rode so low that belly or no, it fit, and she felt a frisson of pleasure at the thought of wearing something pretty once again.

There was no choice in regards to her bra, though. Her pre-maternity bras were too small and she had only the two maternity/nursing bras to choose from. One she'd worn for two days, and the other was clean. As she began to clasp it behind her, she smiled and realized she did have a choice. Bra or no-bra. It wasn't as if even in her pregnancy that her breasts had any bounce to speak of! She really only wore bras to conceal her nipples, which had always been a bit more prominent than she thought proper.

She had one late pregnancy flowery dress that looked nice. It had a high neck and was a bit warm for the weather, but it was really her only option. The high waist, gathering just under her breasts, made her look almost shapely, she thought, as it accentuated what little bust she had and concealed the thinness of her hips under billows of material.

She rummaged in the vanity for her make-up, finding neglected blusher and eye pencils amidst kiddy toothpaste and bandaids. As she finished, she heard Jen stirring and, looking out the window, saw her neighbor on the patio.

She stepped to the door, waved and called out "Come on over for the table! Jen's just waking up!"

 

[Sasha25]

Upon seeing Tonya waving, Amy rushed over, smiling. Greeting her neighbor with as tight a hug as she could give around Tonya's belly, she then kissed Tonya's cheek. It was obvious that Tonya made an effort to dress, even wearing makeup.

"You look radiant today, Tonya. Gorgeous. Going on a date tonight?" Amy teases just a little, and was glad to see a little blush rising. It took all of Amy's will not to stare at the way the dress hugged Tonya's curves, or how large Tonya's nipples seemed. Feeling her own flush rise, she turned instead to where the table and chairs sat, and they spent the next 30 minutes moving them over to Amy's house. Jen was still sleepy, but perked up at the mention of lasagna, and jumped about giving directions on what to do with the furniture.

As Tonya went back with Jen to get the brownies they had made, Amy went to set the table and put the lasagna in the over. As her neighbors returned, she was buttering and adding fresh garlic to the Italian bread.

"Makes yourselves at home. Jen, there something in the living room for you!" While she was out, Amy had stopped and purchased an adorable dark brown teddy bear, unable to resist it. Jen squealed and immediately sat down, introducing her own teddy to the new one. As Tonya watched, Amy moved up behind her and rubbed her shoulders.

"I noticed you rubbing your back last night. Where is it stiff? I'm happy to give a neck or back run if you need it."

 

[Katiesub]

She blushed at Amy's date comment, and looked down in confusion. She blushed even further as her gaze caught the peaks of her nipples in the material of her dress. She hunched her shoulders together a little in a vain attempt to loosen the material of the dress across her breasts.

As they moved the tables and chairs from one house to the other, she kept comparing herself to Amy, and felt herself coming up short again and again. She was not quite Katie Couric perky, but the adjective was close. Her tee accentuated the fullness of her breasts, and the shorts were just tight and short enough for her to notice the swell of her bottom peeking out of the legs. She was glad she'd worn the flowing dress, hiding her thin frame for the most part.

When Jen found the teddy, she had to wipe back happy tears as she saw the joy on both Amy's and Jen's faces at the gift's immediate acceptance.

Seeing that Amy had noticed the tears she hurried to say "My damn preggo hormones have got me on a roller coaster. Same thing with my back, it's just normal pregnancy lower back, compounded by a 3 year old who wants to be picked up and loved, Amy. I'm ok. I just took a bath and got a few of the kinks out. I've just got a couple kinks now!" She chuckled as she said that last, but then flushed when she realized the unintended double entendre.

She hastily deflected the conversation by asking Jen "What's Jeddy-Teddy Bear's friend's name?"

 

[Sasha25]

"Freddy-Teddy!" came the happy reply from Jen, and as she beamed at Amy and Tonya, Amy took Tonya's hand and led her into the kitchen. Amy could feel the tension growing between them, but didn't want to push things too far too fast. She could even figure out what she wanted at this point, beyond being a good friend and neighbor.

As they sat, her eyes flicked once again to Tonya's nipple, aware that Tonya was trying to hide them, then Amy met her eyes.

"Your daughter is just a perfect, sweetheart. I should have asked before if you needed any help with doctor's appointments, or anything like that. I can go with you, or I can watch Jen." Amy hoped she wasn't pushing too much. She was only trying to follow the feeling she was getting, that she was meant to help Tonya, to be a part of her life.

As Tonya pondered the offer, Amy leaned back and unconsciously pushed her breasts against her t-shirt, and crossed her legs. She shouldn't show off, but she couldn't help it. It had been many months since even a blind date, and many more since someone shared her bed. Her fingers and toys were getting rather tiresome, the toys very worn. the thought of seduction crossed her mind, but the yells of Jen from the next room, saying she saw a large spider, made the thought disappear quickly.

 

[Katiesub]

The reserve and mistrust that had been built so carefully since the beginning of her breakup, the wall she had built around Jen and herself tumbled completley as Tonya watched Amy and Jen with Freddy-Teddy. Her hand felt natural in Amy's as Amy took her into the kitchen.

As they sat at the table like old friends rather than acquaintances of a matter of days, Tonya was struck by the lithe, cat-like beauty of her new friend as she pushed back in her seat as they talked.

At the mention of doctor's appointments, though, Tonya closed her eyes and sighed. "Doctor's appointments. I'd almost forgotten! I've got one Wednesday -- that's tomorrow, right? -- and then I'm also supposed to start childbirth classes on Thursday evening. Mom will take Jen when I go to the doctor tomorrow morning. We were still trying to figure out how to arrange for the childbirth classes, though, because we can't take Jen along, and Mom can't be with me at the classes as my "coach" and take Jen, too. We were sort of putting off that problem. Honestly, I don't think Mom is too excited about the coach thing, and, well, I love her but ... I don't think she's the person I really want either." Tonya leaned forward, the happiness of a few minutes ago that was reflected by her smile and her carriage dissolving quickly as her mind raced over the complexities of the next two months.

 

[Sasha25]

Amy was about to say something about childbirth classes when the oven beeped. She got up, hearing Jen come into the kitchen, placing the steaming lasagna on the stove top to cool and setting out the garlic bread.

"Tonya, if you would like, I would be happy to accompany you to your childbirth classes. I don't know a thing about them, but I'm glad to learn. Your mom sounds like she takes good care of Jen. Perhaps, I can help take care of you." Amy was turned away, so Tonya couldn't see her blush.

As Jen babbles about her two bears, Amy prepared everything, glasses of water, the garlic bread, a fresh salad, the lasagna. She served the plates, letting Tonya sit and relax, and even helping move the extra chair next to Jen, so her two bears could sit next to her.

Amy touched Tonya's arm, midway through the meal, speaking low as Jen was talking to her bears.

"Just let me know what I can do, even come to the doctor with you. We're friends now, so let me help as much as I can."

 

[Katiesub]

At Amy's offer to help, Jen grew quiet and thoughtful.

She said nothing except initiating and responding to small talk throughout the remainder of the meal, most of which, by unspoken agreement, revolved around Jen and Teddy bears and how Jen could be a big girl when her little sister arrived.

Jen had forgotten how quickly time could pass in the company of a friend, food, and a relaxed setting. Even Jen was patient, not getting up from the table except once to use the restroom, so unusual for her, let alone any three-year old.

As the meal grew to a close, coffee and hot chocolate having been consumed by all five present (the bears each getting their share of the hot chocolate), Jen pushed her chair back from the table and, looking at her watch, announced it was time to go home and get Jen ready to go to her Mom's for the night.

"Amy, would you like to come along? I'd like a few minutes to talk to you after Mom comes by about your offer about the doctor and things. Besides, I think Jen would love to have you read her favorite book to her and the bears before she leaves."

 

[Sasha25]

"Why don't you take Jen back, and I'll clean up here. Once I'm done, I'll come over and we can chat for awhile." Amy said, and watched as the two, happy child and beautiful mother went back across the grass. Amy quickly put the plates, glasses and silverware into the dishwasher and put the baking pan in the sink to soak.

Something occurred to Amy, and she went up to her bedroom, rifling through her suitcase. She found it, a small bottle of floral scent massage oil. A gift to Tonya, to rub her aching muscles, or perhaps, for Amy to do herself. She placed the small bottle into he shorts pocket, and walked over to Tonya's house.

Following the sound of Jen, she found the pair sitting on the couch, with Jen waiting with her favorite book. Tonya placed the bears next to Jen, and Amy read slowly, including voices for all the characters. Jen seemed delighted though towards the end, her head had sagged down to rest on Jeddy-Teddy's head.

Tonya's mother arrived, and Amy introduced herself, told Tonya's mother what the last two days had held, and promised to keep watch of Jen and Tonya,when Tonya's mother couldn't. After they left, Amy led Tonya back to the couch.

"Here's something if you need it. It's my favorite scent, and it might help soothe your aches. It feels good as much as it smells good. I have a body splash in the same scent." Amy looked into Tonya's eyes. "So, would you like me to come with you to the doctor's? Don't feel pressured. I'll only come if you want me too." And Amy took Tonya's hand.

 

[Katiesub]

Tonya felt odd as Amy talked to her mother. Tonya's idea for Amy to come over after supper had been overriden by Amy's better idea which probably gave Amy a chance to clean up and get herself back together. She listened as Amy read to Jen as if she were an outside observer. Now, Amy was taking the lead in the conversation with her mom as if they were old friends. No, as if Amy were the head of the household. Something in her said she should resent this, fight for her place, but her overwhelming response was relief, utter relief. For the moment, for an afternoon, for two days now really, she wasn't ultimatly responsible for everything in her and Jen's life and it felt ... good.

She meekly allowed herself to be led to the couch, where she sat down wearily. Her eyes widened when Amy proffered the oil. While she had never used the oil, the body splash that Amy used had been hers in more affluent times as well.

"I used to have that body splash, too! It always reminds me of July clover fields and I would imagine bees buzzing every time I opened the bottle."

"Would you really want to go to the doctor with me?" Tears welled up in her eyes at this point, and she had to stop for a minute. Composing herself, she fought through the tears to say "It's so very lonely to go to an OB alone for a baby checkup. I feel so very alone."

She found Amy's hand in hers and she gripped it tightly with both her hands, a lifeline for which she had had neither expectation nor hope.

 

[Sasha25]

Seeing the tears in Tonya's eyes, Amy drew Tonya's head to her shoulder, letting her cry, still letting Tonya hold her hands.

"I bet it's been ages since you could just let all your emotion out, Tonya. It's ok. I'm sure your Mom would let you do this too, but I know she already does a lot taking care of Jen. You really do have a lovely family." Amy made sure not to mentioned Tonya's ex, and frankly didn't want to know much about it. Her focus was on Amy's current situation.

"I'll come to the doctor with you, I'll even drive. Come on, let's get you to bed." Amy helped Tonya up, steadying her, not letting Tonya protest. Amy found Tonya's bedroom easily enough and helped her sit on the edge of the bed.

"I'll go if you want. I don't want to intrude too much on your evening." Amy put the bottle of oil down on the small dresser. "But if you ever need help with anything, just ask."

Amy was about to help Tonya into her pajamas, but checked herself. She had done a lot in 24 hours and didn't want to press too much. Amy retreated to the doorway of the bedroom.