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No answer. Again. It could only mean her boyfriend either had gone into cardiac arrest or is booking another plane ticket to the Amazon. So, Becca called him.
“Sorry, autocorrect,” she explained in lieu of a greeting the second she heard his receiver pick up.
“Who’s deranged enough to let you watch their child?”
Becca smiled to herself and then openly to the 14-month old playing with some blocks on the floor in front of her.
“My cousin and her husband are in town for the street food fair. He’s got an empanada stall. Apparently hot food and tons of people are not good for toddlers. Who knew!”
She could feel his half smirk as he playfully scoffed, “Good luck with that.”
Bringing their dumpster fire of a text exchange full circle, she asked, “What’re your plans for the day?”
“I was going to ask if you wanted to head out with me,” Ethan responded easily.
“Rain check?”
“I’ll think about it.” Still she could hear the small smile in his voice, more so than the humming of his car as he drives.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come over?” she tries to salvage whatever plans he hoped to have with her today. “Keep me from corrupting the kid?”
“God, no.”
Becca rolled her eyes. “With that level of excitement it’s a wonder you aren’t a pediatrician.”
Ethan’s soft chuckle had her smile brightening.
Their conversation lulled. Becca wiped a bit of dribble off her nephew’s chin as the sound of the open road passed through the speaker.
“Dad’s having a outpatient procedure,” he spoke.
“Ohmygod! Why didn’t you tell me?”
“It’s nothing. A checkup on his eyes.” A beat passed. They both knew all that couldn’t be said - the reason he wanted her there. A four letter word emboldened and flashing in neon letters.
“Let me know how it goes?”
Ethan makes a hum in confirmation. Then, “Is someone coming to help you?”
Her laughter rattled like windchimes in a springtime breeze. “Sienna will be home soon, don’t you worry. We all will make it out of here unscathed.”
“Let me know how it goes?”
Teeth pulling at her lower lip, Becca hums back in confirmation.