Page 2 of Bed of Roses

“Stay with the classics, my good man,” Blake grinned.

Mick was talking about his niece’s impending birthday when Blake’s phone chimed. He frowned at the screen, while shoveling his last mouthful in.

“I’m zipping out for five. Rose’s having issues with getting Colin out of a lawn chair,” he said.

“That’s the old neighbor, right?” Mick questioned.

“Yes, his daughter is staying with him. Poor old man. We learnt he was a bit of a player and Rose is the love child we didn’t know existed.” I filled Mick in on the events of the night Colin went to “do a deal with Brian.”

Blake slipped on his work boots and left the house.

“At least you know who Loretta is now,” Mick laughed. “You’re the other woman, you hussy. No wonder he’s angry with you. You got pregnant as the other woman and probably blew up his marriage with Lorraine.”

“Well, Lorraine stayed until she died, so I can’t have done that. Besides, it takes two to tango and I’m not giving up my baby,” I laughed, rubbing my belly. A thought struck me. If that was the cause of Colin’s animosity toward me (me being Loretta, of course), would it be triggering for him to see me when I was truly showing?

Mick and I chatted about work and the baby, a good 40 minutes flying by before Blake returned.

“How is he? Was he stuck physically or refusing to get out,” I asked.

“Both, in the end,” Blake replied. “Poor old guy. Poor Rose. She’s so exhausted. We need to truly make an effort to help her out.”

“Surely he has social services send assistance?” Mick asked. “Gran has a cleaner, social worker, nurse, and a physical therapist visit her.”

“Yeah, Colin has that but I think it’s more of an emotional responsibility and exhaustion,” Blake explained.

“I’ll do what I can. Maybe some meals would help?” I picked up my phone to search for recipes that would freeze well.

“That’d be great, babe. I’m sure she’d appreciate it,” Blake kissed the top of my head.

I’d do what I could for now, but I hoped Rose would adjust soon. I wouldn’t be much assistance when I was as big as a house.

Blake’s phone chimed. A smile spread across his face.

“Who is it?” Mick asked.

“Just Rose. She sent a thank you and a meme of a kid with his head stuck in a chair,” Blake laughed.

Hmm. Why didn’t I like that? It was manners to thank someone. Why did she text Blake for help though? She had my number. I pushed my feelings down. Pregnancy hormones were the pits. I dreamt last night that Blake cheated on my with my sister (I don’t have a sister). It was going to be a long five months!

Chapter 3. Harriet - Hibernation

Two weeks later and I was really getting annoyed. Blake was over at Rose’s at least every second day. Sometimes just for five minutes to bring the bins in, or sometimes for an hour, mowing her back lawn or helping with general maintenance. It got to the point where I found myself wincing when his phone chimed. Most of the time it was work or Mick, but I could tell when it was Rose, and that in itself was alarming. He’d pick up his phone and a smile, just a small pulling in his lips, would appear.

“Why is she texting you so much? She has never texted me. She has my number,” I said, trying to keep control of my tone.

“She doesn’t want to bother you. You’re pregnant,” Blake replied.

“She’s an able-bodied woman. I brought in our bins this week Blake and I’m pregnant. Why would she ask you to go and do hers?”

“She didn’t ask. I just did it,” he shrugged. “I told you we need to help more.”

“Leo used to bring in his bins. Why wouldn’t you just let him keep doing it?” I asked, referring to the man next door to Colin.

“I don’t know. I’m trying to help, Harriet. Don’t let your preggo hormones create something that isn’t there.” His tone was hostile. He must be pissed off because he never said my full name. I was “Babe” or “Haz.”

“Okay, I’m sorry. I just think if you’re going to be bringing bins in, you could bring ours in.” I don’t think I was being unreasonable.

“Fine, next time don’t take it upon yourself to bring them in and I’ll do it,” he snapped, leaving the room.

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